The Legend of the Ruby Silver

A con man mining promoter (John Schnieder, a drunk, has-been miner (Bruce Weitz), a lovely widow (Rebecca Jenkins) and her troubled son (Jonathon Jackson) head off into the mountains to find the long dead Ruby Silver mine. Along the way, they find themselves.

It is mostly a story about a son who misses his dad, being befriended by a terminal drunk. They help each other. Weitz & Jackson are wonderful. Also, as the mining promoter, John Schnieder gives a dark & troubling performance you'll never see on Dukes of Hazzard. Wish more TV movies were like this.

Currently, the IMDb statement telling of the origin of "The Legend of the Ruby Silver" is wrong - it is not an American film. The end credits reveal that it got funding from the Canadian government's film funding agency, which means it qualifies as being Canadian. But while this particular Canadian movie is somewhat more watchable than the usual pretentious crud the Canadian government funds, it all the same isn't a very good movie. I will give it this - the scenery is very nice, and it's the rare Canadian movie to have its story be clearly set in Canada (though the limited and quickly revealed evidence for this requires you to know western Canada geography well). And the ending has some unexpected elements. However, the movie is for the most part a big bore whether you are an adult or a kid. It plays out very slowly, and there is very little tension or action, with the few conflicts playing out in a way that you know will work out for the deserving characters. In the end, it will likely make parents who screen this movie for themselves and their kids that movie sex and violence can't always be bad.

Newish widow Rebecca (Kay Rainey) and her son, Matt (Jonathan Jackson) are living in the Montana wilderness, where their newly deceased husband and father was a would-be silver miner. Left with little money, Rebecca longs to move back to civilized Baltimore, where her roots are. But, alas, she can't at this moment. Then, all of a sudden, Tommy Towne (John Schneider) appears with a proposition that could land her the means. He, Tommy, wants Rebecca and Matt to come work for him, as a cook and helper, as he tries to re-open an abandoned mine, The Ruby Silver, which is in an even MORE remote area. An older, more experience male miner will be helping them, too. If they should strike precious silver, they can all split the profits. At first, Rebecca is reluctant to join the group or allow her son to do so. After all, a mining accident was responsible for her hubby's death. But, the money is too difficult to resist, particularly when offered by a handsome gent like Tommy. So, off they go. Almost at once, the truck Becky drives nearly falls off a mountain. The climb to the abandoned mine is arduous, too. Once there, they all cross their fingers and hope for the best. But, in truth, is Mr. Towne totally on the up and up? In addition, is he playing with Rebecca's affections? This is a fine adventure film, one the family can enjoy. Yet, it has a surprise ending, which will jolt the viewer who expected a happy finale for all. Yet, on reflection, the ending is satisfying. Also, the scenery is breathtaking, very beautiful indeed, and the story full of energy. Try to seek the movie at the usual venues; don't wait to stumble upon it, like I did!