Winter People

This movie was filmed near my hometown in the Western North Carolina mountains in a little community called Plumtree in Avery County. The severe winter weather depicted in the film is like it really is. The elevation here is about 3500 feet and the area gets enough snow to support a large snow skiing industry.

Deceptively marketed as a "Deliverance" retread, it has, in fact, more in common with Peter Weir's "Witness" and Richard Pearce's "Heartland". Kurt Russell plays Wayland Jackson, a humble widower who begins a new life with his daughter in North Carolina. When he meets and falls in love with Collie Wright (Kelly McGilis), he must prove his mettle to her father (Lloyd Bridges) and deal with local animosity towards him.

Director Ted Kotcheff, who also made "First Blood", "Uncommon Valor" and the brilliant "Split Image", a scathing look at a religious sect, brings his considerable experience with personal politics to this well made, beautifully acted, snow-bound drama.

The film's last act is where the violence flares and the stage is set for several bloody, taut altercations. The film, however, never loses sight of its personal story and focuses closely on the courage and resilience of good, honest folk.

John Scott's score is hypnotic.

This is a film that took me by surprise. Impressive in its delicate sensiblity of the human emotions. This is best illustrated at Kurt Russell's outburst when one of his clocks is destroyed. Well directed and well acted. One of Russell's best acting performances. Not an action film, or anything to really rock you in your seat but a powerful human story. A+

I just watched this movie and what a well-spent evening!Thoroughly enjoyable.I can think of no flaws whatever with this film. The scenery is beautiful as well. Another plus.I can't imagine anyone not being pleased with their experience in seeing this film. It has drama,romance and wonderful relationship studies,and development.

I don't know what else to say without rambling! I can't believe IMDb insists that you must meet a minimum required amount of sentences to post a comment,SHEEZ! Just be sure not to pass this one up if you get a chance to see it. Fotunately my library had it. I don't remember ever hearing of it before.

Wayland Jackson (Kurt Russell) and his young daughter leave Pennsylvania and movie to rural Appalachia in 1934. Now considering the poverty in this part of the world, particularly during the Depression, this is an odd decision to say the least. On their way, Wayland's truck breaks down and he and the daughter make their way to a local cabin where Collie (Kelly McGillis) and her baby live. She lets them stay a bit, as it's cold outside and soon the pair fall in love. However, the baby's ne'er-do-well and extremely violent father returns for one of his rare visits...and he nearly kills Wayland and attempts to force himself on Collie. What's next? Well, a LOT...including threats from the violent man's very violent and awful clan.

The film has some remarkably good and restrained acting. In addition to Russell and McGillis doing a fine job, the oddly named Jeffrey Meek is exceptional as the evil father of the baby and the rest of the supporting cast (including Lloyd Bridges and Mitchell Ryan) are superb.

As for the story, it's compelling and has many twists and turns. You might not like these...but they do make for a story that is hard to stop watching.

Overall, a very well done film....not always pleasant but exceptional nonetheless...and far better than its current 6.3 rating on IMDB.