By Dawn's Early Light

This well crafted tale of a young man's coming of age under the guidance of his grandfather breaks no new ground but is a life affirming family movie. There are a few corny scenes and not all of the youth's reformation seems motivated but the film is well acted and moves along and doesn't get too bogged down with corn.

In this Icon driven culture, the ending scene was almost predictable but was moving none-the-less.

I'm a sucker for this type of film but overall, I'd say anyone would feel the film is worth the time and effort.

This is the story of Mike (a troubled teenager from L.A.) forced, by his wealthy parents, to spend a summer holiday with his grumpy grandpappy. They set off together across the United States on horseback, via the school of hard knocks, discovering the good life, and teaming up with a bunch of cowboys. During the course of the journey (and accompanied by a great deal of squirming from this viewer), Mike is transformed from a poor spoilt rich kid into a young good ole boy.

Rousing performances from Richard Crenna (as the grandfather) and David Carradine (as the trail boss). Ben Cardinal plays the obligatory Native American with tight-lipped panache and baby-faced Patrick David turns in a credible performance as Mike's new best friend.

I found this movie on Showtime and found it predictable but a good movie for the entire family. It's a coming of age story about a young boy who has been spoiled all his life living in Los Angeles. His parents go on a 6 week cruise and has to spend his summer with his Grandfather who he hasn't seen in 14 years. Richard Crenna is his crusty old self and it's nice to see David Carradine in a softer role. With a lack of movies you can watch with the entire family these days I think you'll find this movie to fit the bill on family movie night.

"By The Dawn's Early Light" tells of an L.A. burb brat who's sent to his Grandfather's ranch while his parents go on holiday. There he cops attitude and his Grandfather sets about to give him a cattleman's attitude adjustment. The film's heart is in the right place and it is good family entertainment but be prepared for some seriously corny melodrama.

Very good for the available money and available special effects of that era. Special effects could be better but overall the message that give that film is important. I saw that film four times and I believe I will see it again and again.