Across the Great Divide

Two orphans, Heather Rattray, Mark Hall, must cross the Great Divide, the rugged snow-covered Rocky Mountains in 1876 in order to reclaim their inheritance, a 400 acre plot of lands in Salem, Oregon . Along the way they are helped by a roguish card player, Robert F Logan. They soon find that nature may be very harsh and dangerous. All of them seeking escape of bandits, George Buck Flowers and others, Indians and a hunger as well a huge bear pursuing them .At the end takes place an amusing card game between the expert card player, Robert Logan, and the ingenuous outlaw, George Buck Flower, that results in unexpected consequences.

An enjoyable family fare with majestic scenario. A predictable retreat of previous film from Wilderness Family saga, but more good family adventure drama. This is a pleasant and agreeable coming-of-age story in which a pair of waifs find trouble in paradise, this makes a half-hearted attempt to break away from the triteness of the Walt Disney stereotype, before succumbing to a catalogue of savageries and beauties of nature. The picture spends time promising interesting tensions between the independient children and the rogue drifter, before dumping them on the wilderness to find savage animals in exemplary Baden-Powell fashion and the little girl results to be the better provider, while attempting to escape of Indians.

It contains a colorful and wonderful cinematography, including breathtaking outdoors. And a sensitive and touching musical score by Angelo Baladamenti, David Lynch usual. This fairly formulary children adventure was well directed by Stewart Raffil. He is a fine craftsman who has directed several films of all kinds of genres as Grizzly Falls, Tammy and T-Rex, Mannequin 2, Mac and me, Ice pirates, The Philadelphia experiment and other films in similar style to Across the Great Divide : Sea gypsies, The adventures of the wilderness family, When the north wind blows. Rating 6.5/10. Decent adventure movie for the youngest viewers.

Holly and Jason Smith (Heather Rattray and Mark Edward Hall, respectively) are a brother/sister combo out on the open trail. Trying to get to Oregon before their miserly uncle claims some land that is rightfully theirs, the kids run across a kind-hearted gambler, Zachariah Coop (Robert Logan). Although they get off to a rocky start, their relationship together grows out of necessity of their dependence on each other. They slowly learn to trust one another, and as a team make steady progress to Oregon. Director Raffill has directed quite a few of the outdoor, family adventure films as of late, and his love for nature shines through his lens. `Across the Great Divide' had a few gratuitous `fear for your life' moments, but definitely holds its own against other outdoor adventure films made in the 1970's. For viewers looking for films with good morals, this also has lessons learned out the wazoo. Rating: 25/40

My mother took me to see this movie at the theater when I was 10 years old, and it is one of my all-time favorites. It has all the elements that make movies great: soothing music, breath-taking scenery, suspense, humor, and adventure. Right from the start you are drawn into the movie by the charm of Zachariah Coop, a trickster by trade. While running from the mischief he stirred up at his last gig, meets up with two kids who are in need of some adult help and protection to see them safely over the mountains. After the unfortunate timing of their meeting, they struggle to regain each other's trust, which they know is the only way they will be able make it. The wolf scene was incredible. The director should have won awards for that.

A family Western adventure. All shot on location. Two orphans (feisty older girl and her younger brother) team up with cheeky con-man on the run (think James Garner meets Michael Landon) for a mission across the mountains in order to claim their (the kids') inheritance. It's a loose set-up that provides an excuse for all the classic Western thrills and spills that follow. A warm and friendly film with beautiful locations (Utah and Alberta, Canada). There's lots of animal scenes with bears, wolves, mountain lion/cougars in pursuit, even otters make a jovial appearance, not to mention their brave and faithful dog who accompanies them all the way. They meet (and stay a while) with Natives. It's an idealised west where the hero just happens to be able to speak the Native tongue. But that's ok, we need this kind of friendly film in the world. Especially in the way that is so distinct to the late 70s (eg - Grizzly Adams) where kids and animals run in slo-mo through long grass to warm sunset country-soul music. It's old-school Disney live-action style but it's miles better than, say, The Apple Dumpling Gang. A good one to show kids as an intro to Westerns etc. Seek the restored version which looks fantastic (eg - on amazon prime video)

And I LOVED that game growing up. I just watched this movie for the first time since the early 90's. Across the great Divide is proof that you don't need huge budgets or big stars in order for a movie to be good. The movie starts off with 2 children who need to cross the wilderness to claim their land inheritance meet a gambler on the run. Together they face natures obstacles in order to reach their destination. Granted, there were a few parts that were pretty predictable as to what was going to happen next. But all in all, it was a great little film to watch whether its in a family setting, or just by yourself.