The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky

This film realistically captures the mood and tempo of the time in the Idaho-Montana forest wilderness. The emphasis on social relationships and hard work in remote settings is amazingly accurate. I was surprised how close the film story-line replicates the true story of my grandfather as Selway NF Ranger from 1927-1942 and that of my father growing up in the Selway forest at that time, including his assignment to run a telegraph line solo on horseback along the Lolo Trail to Missoula, MT. In 1930 my grandfather, also a WWI Army Chaplain, married my parents at Lowell, ID. In 1933 the Selway forest was burned out and my grandfather reassigned to the Forest Supervisor's office in Grangeville, ID. Notes from his diary reflect the scenes of the movie.

For a TV movie from the 90's, this one isn't too bad. You can tell as you watch it that the cast and crew were professionals. The cinematography really impressed me, and the acting was just superb. The other reviewers here seem to find Sam Elliott to be their favorite actor in this movie, and I understand that perfectly. However, I personally think Jerry O'Connell's performance was the best thing in the film. If you're looking for an entertaining family Western, this is a good option.

However, the film lacks on one major thing: the plot. Its first act is very good at drawing you into the characters and situations. Nonetheless, the movie seems to lose speed halfway through, changing from a film about respect and adolescence to a film about...uh...young love and gambling. If you don't know much about playing poker, there are about ten minutes of the film you probably won't get at all. The film returns to its first theme near the end, but you still might get the impression that the filmmakers just wanted their movie to be more than 90 minutes long. Also, don't let the "Hole in the Sky" within the title excite you much; it's just some gambling term.

In conclusion, "The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky" is a professional TV movie that will entertain its viewers at least most of the time. Whether you're a Sam Elliott fan, a Western fan, or just a parent who wants a clean film for their kids to watch, this movie is for you!

I liked this movie very much it is a must watch if you like westerns. No corners cut while making the film and is just a great product. The scenery is also amazing!

Jerry O'Connell and Sam Elliot star in this improbably named western, set in Montana in the early 1900s. Forest rangers are clearing a trail over a mountain during one long summer. O'Connell is a 17 year old who learns as he goes, working with a veteran crew. Elliot is the trail boss, and the best mule packer in the group. Before the summer is over, O'Connell's farmboy will have learned a few hard lessons and fallen in love with a gal in town. There's also a humdinger of a bar fight over a poker game involving the camp cook, played by real-life magician Ricky Jay. This is a quiet, introspective movie in many respects, with no gunplay or fancy theatrics other than the bar fight. We can believe this is how forestry people did their job then, and perhaps even now -- with the addition of today's engines, of course. Back then, a lot of it was accomplished by hand. RANGER reminds me of a Hallmark movie, which it probably started out as.

I immediately liked this movie for its period sense and of course Sam Elliot and Jerry McConnell, as well as being written by Norman Maclean. The first time I watched it I felt it was a bit "light" in story. It drew me back to watch it again, though, and now having seen it quite a few times I have come to love it. It is simple and clean and tells the story of a small piece of a young life that is really quite large. Young Mac is 17 and full of himself, as many 17 year old men can be when they feel they have to prove themselves. He is the jerk in the movie, but he takes us on his journey of "becoming." There are many wise "turns of phrase" in this movie, and the more I watch it the more I find. So the story I thought was "light" turns out to be quite profound and deep. The cast, crew, directing, writing, and cinematography are all beautiful. Don't sell it short... watch it a few times.