Der weite Weg nach Westen

For long years, the idea of the "TV movie" has portended a level of artifice unbecoming of actors, and ill-suited for the big screen. I'm not going to say that 'Pioneer woman' is perfect, because it's not; there's undeniable ham-handedness about the production in no small part, especially nearer the beginning. To my pleasure, however, it's more enjoyable than not, with writing and direction just suitable enough to give the cast a slight opportunity to demonstrate their skills - while earning a nice little paycheck. Though certainly marked by a measure of kitsch, William Shatner gives an admirable performance as prideful John Sergeant, commendably restrained and emotive compared to his most bombastic displays. It's quite worth noting that Helen Hunt makes her debut as young Sarah, only 10 years old when the feature premiered. And I appreciate Joanna Pettet's turn as protagonist Maggie, a role that allows her so show even in this context her range, nuance, and potential as a leading lady.

It's a pretty straightforward narrative here - dialogue and characters are adequate as they are written; scene writing is strong enough to help complete the story, give the actors room to work, and keep us invested. More than anything 'Pioneer woman' represents a portrait of the hardship of western expansion and the settler life - disputes, unpredictable conditions and turns, scarcity, endless hard work. It's a fairly solid period piece, replete with great care for costume design, set design and decoration, props, and depictions of the wide, open spaces that are all to easy to overlook in our modern busy lives. All the while, there are also consistent themes including pride, the meaning of home, men's selfishness (a notion that, let's face it, requires little actual acting from Shatner), the importance of community - and, one must note, touches of casual racism, and sexism as reflected in predominant patriarchy.

Suzanne Clauser's screenplay surprises for how good it is, and Buzz Kulik's direction, and the production design broadly. This picture is hardly a revelation, but honestly, it's much better than it has any right to be. I began watching with mixed expectations at best, and find that I am pleasantly satisfied with the result. I don't think there's any reason to go out of your way to watch this, but 'Pioneer woman' is an enjoyable, engaging movie if you come across it - and to my delight, not at all a bad way to spend 75 minutes.

A woman is forced to leave her comfy Indiana city to go to Nebraska with her family because her husband wants to farm. She faces finding out they were scammed and there is no land, a miscarriage, widowhood after they finally find a place to settle, and holding on to the place with her children. The one false note is her playing hard-to-get with an obviously smitten neighbor who is ringing her chimes as well.

Joanna Pettet is the woman, William Shatner her husband and David Janssen the man who wants to be. If you can believe this bit of casting, Lance LeGault is a friendly neighbor and totally good guy. Helen Hunt makes her acting debut as the woman's daughter. Yes it's a feminist piece since a "pioneer feminist" is who the story revolves around, but it's not preachy and is well done.

Pioneer Woman (1973) was one of those movies that endlessly played on cable and late night T.V. during the mid to late 80's (god I miss those days). It was real cheesy and extremely hokey ( I like 'em like that) and it showcases the talents of one of my favorite cheese actors William Shatner (he sure made a lot of these movies). His mugging and posturing in front of the camera has to be seen to be believed. A brief synopsis, a family of homesteaders move out into the wild. wild, west and encounter more than they bargain for.

Harmless fun for all ages. If it ever comes on the idiot box watch it but I wouldn't go out of my way to get a copy.

C+

I recently watched Pioneer Woman (1973) on Prime. The storyline follows a family heading west after the father acquires land he hopes to settle and use to start a new life. But once they arrive, they're met with hostility, and the father is killed-leaving the mother to decide whether to continue pursuing their dream or return back East with her daughter.

Directed by Buzz Kulik (Brian's Song), the film stars Joanna Pettet (Casino Royale), William Shatner (Star Trek), Helen Hunt (Twister), and David Janssen (The Green Berets).

This is a surprisingly fun western with a distinct grindhouse feel in many ways. The female-led revenge plot feels like something right out of that genre. Seeing Shatner take a brutal beatdown caught me off guard-it was tough to watch. The film's setup is strong and feels grounded in the real challenges of the era. The backdrops, sets, props, and period-accurate attire all help pull you into the world.

There's a lot to appreciate here for anyone looking for a different kind of western-especially one with a strong, resilient female lead.

In conclusion, Pioneer Woman is a fairly average film in execution, but it's also unique and gritty. I'd give it a 6/10.

I've always thought of Joanna Pettet as one of the most beautiful and glamorous women of the big screen and small in the latter half of the last century. So it's a pleasant surprise that in Pioneer Woman Pettet ditches the glamor and becomes a hard working Pioneer Woman who salvages her husband's dream of going west.

She faces some real problems as she and husband William Shatner sell all they have in Indiana move west on land Shatner bought from the railroad. Shatner does this unilaterally without consulting Pettet, in those days that is how it was done.

First Shatner gets uprooted from his land by some brothers who've been working it for seven years now. Then he's killed homesteading new land in Wyoming territory.

Pettet makes some critical choices for herself and kids Helen Hunt and Russell Baer. Hard work, a little luck and an understanding an hunky neighbor in rancher David Janssen make her believe that staying might be the best idea.

Pioneer Woman is a sober assessment of what pioneer life was like on the American frontier. Even without Indian wars it was still a rugged existence especially for a woman.

Pettet shows she has the right stuff. In fact this G rated film is actually quite the feminist manifesto.

A great film for family and feminist audiences if you can believe that.