I cacciatori del lago d'argento

Disney which is best known now for their animated films made a number of good movies with real actors and actresses. This 1965 feature is one of those movies. An excellent cast of talented actors headed up by the late Brian Keith and the beautiful Vera Miles tells the tale of a family whose dream is to create a sanctuary for wild Geese. Certain interest groups have other ideas however for the fate of the Geese. If you've never seen this Disney movie from the mid 60's then check it out on the Disney channel or rent it. A young Linda Evans and Tom Skerritt also costar along with Brandon DeWilde the legendary Walter Brennan and Ed Wynn.

This movie is one of the better movies that Disney put out in the '60s. Many of the movies that they were producing in this time period were obviously family oriented, but all had a much lighter tone to them. This was a serious look at a serious time in US History, and I think they did a fantastic job with it. Overall, the performances are memorable, and the cast has stars, but is not overweighted. Some supporting roles of note are done by Ed Wynn and Walter Brennan. The music is also well scripted. Definitely worth a look.

Family drama from Disney, the kind of folksy yarn the studio seemed to revel in during this era. Do-gooder adaptation of Paul Annixter's novel "Swiftwater" concerns Vermont couple and their son at odds with the rest of the town over their attempts to save a flock of geese from game-hunters. Mixes elements of melodrama, outdoor adventure, teen romance and nature asides, but too little humor. Running a seat-numbing 131mns, the picture was never popular with the matinee crowds despite beautiful scenery and a good cast including Brian Keith as the head of the house; Vera Miles as his frontier wife; Brandon de Wilde (pulling a James MacArthur) and Linda Evans (lovely) as the young sweethearts; and Walter Brennan as an old coot named Alf. OK yarn wears "values" on its sleeve, but is really too solemn and lethargic to appeal to anyone except nostalgic adults and Disney-philes. Score by Max Steiner, his only time working for the Mouse. **1/2 from ****

Bland. It's a film that slowly creeps through its 131 minute runtime.

I do really like Brian Keith as an actor, but he really did get the more lamer Disney films didn't he? 'The Parent Trap' aside, all of his others with the studio up until this point are marginally good at best; despite Keith's talent.

'Those Calloways' is poorly paced and doesn't have any truly lovable characters. The shtick with the main family is that they are opposed to hunting, yet their whole thing is hunting in itself. Sure, they're doing it for differing reasons, but it's hardly a massive gap - it's not like the film portrays them as disliking it either.

As for the cast, Keith is the best on display as Cam. Brandon deWilde (Bucky), Ed Wynn (Ed) and Walter Brennan (Alf) are fine. All of the antagonists are forgettable, though. Considering how long the film goes on for, they hardly do anything with the exception of one moment. There's a few scenes which could've done with some music too, particularly ones involving Bucky and Whit (Tom Skerritt).

There is definitely a good message attempted, but it kinda falls flat unfortunately. This isn't one I'd recommend, even if it isn't terrible.

During his lifetime, Walt Disney made a number of serious-minded movies for family audiences, but quite often families ignored them and favored his goofball comedies and animated movies. "Those Calloways" is one such movie, not doing very well at the box office. Though I personally liked the movie, I can see why not many people were attracted to it. It's a long movie for one thing, over two hours in length. And the storytelling is kind of episodic than being one strong story. Still, I found the movie to have a lot of charm. It's shot on attractive New England locations, the characters are interesting, and the various vignettes are not boring. That is, if you are a (patient) adult. Though Disney intended this movie for a family audience, I think most modern day kids would be bored stiff by this movie with its slow pace and lack of action and special effects. Too bad - kids might learn a few things along the way.