Across the Great Divide

This is a good film for family or an easy watch. The plot is not very compelling and the acting is remote. However, this was filmed in Utah and Canada, and the critters are very present, often at odds to the desires of the main party. The wolf scene is quite dramatic. Obviously the film makers were equipped to shoot outdoors as the colors and details are quite good for the time period. About 3/4 of the way through the movie, the party passes a lake. I am guessing it is the famous Peyto Lake in Canada's Banff NP, a truly spectacular place. If you like a wholesome movie, with lots of critters and big wild lands this movie is worth a view. Nice dog, too!

In 1976, at the height of the John Denver phenomenon, all us college kids flocked to the theatres to see the awesome Rocky Mountain scenery. The story did not appeal nearly as much then, as it does now, watching my kids watch it. In midlife I have come to enjoy it in totality. The scenes (Utah and British Columbia) are breathtaking. The child actors are spunky and yet charming. Logan is inimitable in his mannerisms. After a while you are drawn into the situation as though you are part of it. Sit down with the kids or grandkids and enjoy it over and over.

Plot: A professional gambler on the run stumbles across and eventually joins up with two orphaned children on their way to Oregon.

Good stuff: The film has some amazing scenery and even more amazing scenes with animals. The performance by the actress playing the older sister is pretty good and there is some nice dramatic tension between her and Robert Logan's character. The card game between Logan and the horse traders was pretty amusing.

Bad stuff: I thought the film ended rather abruptly. While there is a resolution of sorts, it would have been interesting if the film could have gone on for maybe another 15 minutes. In addition, Robert Logan seems far too pleasant to play the self-centered gambler character.

Overall, not a great film, but one good enough to keep your attention and the attention of the kids.

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)

Considering Roger Ebert's review of Dances With Wolves, pointing out the Indians speak their own language instead of English with an accent, this movie did it waaay before and in a family friendly way. The Indians are kind to the family and help them. Not at all the usual evil movie Indians. The stranger who helps the kids grows into a better person. Very sweet I would say. Not 2020 Hollywood standards but lovely family fare.