The Awakening Land

How many mini-series have generational staying power? Roots? OK, what else? In my case "The Awakening Land" stands by itself in this regard. The characters may be fictional, but they're woven so well with the known history of the region and era that they *might be* real. For my money this stands as perhaps Elizabeth Montgomery's most enduring performance. Its certainly the one I'll remember her for.

To put many previous posters out of their misery, I'm happy to say that this magnificent mini series is now available on DVD. It is not cheap, but for something which will be watched over and over again, it is worth it.

I have had it on VHS tape (complete with commercials) since it was first shown and have watched it whenever I want to recall the winter nights when we would curl up in front of the fire and wallow in a few nights of great TV.

The series beautifully recreated what must have been a hard life for the early pioneers as they pushed the frontier further and further west. I particularly loved the 18th century dialogue and the rustic frolicking at the wedding of Sayward and "the hostile", after the failure to marry him off to an available spinster. the storyline which saddened me the most was that of the teacher, a refined and educated woman who fell in love with the only educated man in whom she had any contact with. How desperately lonely her life must have been.

The lovely songs, although few, added greatly to the atmosphere. They sure don't make them like this any more.

I have seen this movie 2 times and could watch it over and over again. I thought that Elizabeth Montgomery's acting ability was great. If you ever get the opportunity to watch this movie, please do. You will be glad you did.

I would be one of the first ones to purchase a copy of this movie, if it was ever released. If anyone knows when and if this movie will be playing again on TV, I would appreciate it if someone would let me know.

I believe that this movie would be an inspiration to anyone who saw it and it's very interesting, as in showing how life was in the early times, and the hard life that was had by most people.

conniegap

In vain, I keep checking to see if someone has had the intelligence to put this out on DVD......I would buy it in record time. I absolutely love this movie and am right now in the process of re-reading the books (The Trees, The Fields and The Town) for the 5th time...and will probably re-read them every two years or so - that's how good they are. The miniseries pretty much echoed the books and was a real treat. I can't believe I missed it when it was telecast again the early 90's. Elizabeth Montgomery was wonderful - completely believable as Sayward and made me a fan of hers for her all too short life. I come from "the hills of Pennsylvania" which I used to "run" as a child so felt a connection.

Holly Michaels

This mini series was based upon a series of books, The Trees, The Fields and The Town, by Conrad Richter, who also wrote A Light in the Forest. I am in the process of re-reading them, and I 'see' many of the scenes I remember from the show.

This mini series was also one of my favorites, I keep wishing that it would be released on Video/DVD.

Elizabeth Montgomery did a good job of playing "Saird", the woodsy who was responsible for building a town. Hal Holbrook was believable as the Solitary. What surprised me was reading that William Macy played Will Beagle, the Bound Boy.