Higher Ground

I remember seeing this movie when it came out. It had beautiful scenery and the song by John Denver Higher Ground. I later saw him in concert and bought the tape Higher Grounds that he later produced. I wish I could buy the movie and the tape again.

John Denver has been criticized for not being a great singer, but he could sing, for not being a great actor, but he was a good actor, and for his songwriting which some called mundane and bland. Yet John Denver wrote one of the best songs of the 1970's, "Rocky Mountain High." And though his voice was not great, it was well suited for the type music he sang. My wife and I saw John Denver in concert in Memphis, Tennessee, around 1976. He gave one hell of a concert. The Memphis Symphony Orchestra backed him on some of his songs. When he sang many of his Rocky Mountain ballads, a slide show was presented on a giant screen behind him that enhanced his performance, adding beautiful still photography of nature's miracles. He was also a man of conviction who stood up for what he believed including freedom of expression when the Tipper Gore political opportunists tried to suppress First Amendment rights by putting pressure on Congress. He is one of the great free spirits and artists of his time.

"Higher Ground" is a precious film and a tribute to the man and his music. The three songs he sings in the movie, including the title song, are three of his best celebrating the natural high that an appreciation for nature brings. The Alaskan scenery is breathtaking. The movie also captures John Denver's love of flying.

The story is a good one for a made for TV flick. John Denver wants to get away from the madness and mania of the big city by flying to Alaska to visit an old friend and his family only to discover that there is madness and mania where ever there are human beings. When his friend is killed by bootleggers and drug runners, Denver fights back to clear his pal's name and to protect the wife and son of his slain comrade. This leads to action and adventure with a few touching scenes between Denver and his friend's son who also wants to fly someday.

This film is a must for John Denver fans. Others should enjoy it as well.

A juvenile soap opera script with a treatment by less-than-adequate acting in a false setting and two-dimensional characters. This is what this poorly produced movie offers. As an Alaskan, I find any references to Alaska or its lifestyle to be sorely lacking. Great scenery, but it was shot in British Columbia in Canada, not in Alaska. A shot of a raccoon, when Alaska has no raccoons. In one conversation with an Indian kid, there's reference to the kid's father losing his pine grove. There are no pine groves in Alaska, but there are plenty of stands of spruce. Great music. Given. Still, a lackluster screenplay and poor acting aside, the film ran on several improbable scenarios. Among them, an unnatural conflict between secondary character Rick and his wife at the dinner table. It tries to pull the viewer along into an improbable argument. Later, Denver's character and the friend's wife were prevented from getting gasoline by the film's bad guy, McClain. Despite never resolving the fuel shortage, Denver continues to fly and operate a boat extensively through the remainder of the film in his quest to solve the murder of his friend. Since Denver's ultimate demise came from not checking the fuel tanks of his aircraft upon departure from Monterrey, California, one could almost sense a sad prophetic theme. The one standout in this mess of mediocrity was typically superb performance by veteran actor Richard Masur, who played the film's villain. If you're looking for a cinematic masterpiece you'll not find it here.

it's been probably ten years since i've seen this movie. i don't recall it being bad, but there's something about it that stands out to me as excellent - its soundtrack. some of Denver's most memorable songs come from this cd - "Higher Ground" - "Home Grown Tomatoes" - "Alaska and Me"... listening to it almost makes me cry. what an artist that we've lost... watch it, if just for the songs...

I saw this movie on tv when it came out. I taped it and have enjoyed watching it several times. John Denver is my favorite singer. I know he no longer graces our world, but there will never be anyone else who can compare to him. He was the greatest in his field today, yesterday, and forever. Higher Ground is one of his best endeavors.