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Silence of the North

  • 1981
  • PG
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
278
YOUR RATING
Silence of the North (1981)
Drama

Based on the biography of Olive Fredrickson, It tells of her life as a girl, then a trapper's wife and later a widow with three small children surviving under rugged pioneer conditions in no... Read allBased on the biography of Olive Fredrickson, It tells of her life as a girl, then a trapper's wife and later a widow with three small children surviving under rugged pioneer conditions in northern Alberta Canada from the early 1900's through to the Depression.Based on the biography of Olive Fredrickson, It tells of her life as a girl, then a trapper's wife and later a widow with three small children surviving under rugged pioneer conditions in northern Alberta Canada from the early 1900's through to the Depression.

  • Director
    • Allan King
  • Writers
    • Olive Frederickson
    • Ben East
    • Patricia Louisianna Knop
  • Stars
    • Ellen Burstyn
    • Tom Skerritt
    • Gordon Pinsent
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    278
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Allan King
    • Writers
      • Olive Frederickson
      • Ben East
      • Patricia Louisianna Knop
    • Stars
      • Ellen Burstyn
      • Tom Skerritt
      • Gordon Pinsent
    • 9User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 8 nominations total

    Photos20

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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Ellen Burstyn
    Ellen Burstyn
    • Olive Frederickson
    Tom Skerritt
    Tom Skerritt
    • Walter Reamer
    Gordon Pinsent
    Gordon Pinsent
    • John Frederickson
    Jennifer McKinney
    Jennifer McKinney
    • Little Olive Reamer
    Donna Dobrijevic
    • Vala Reamer
    Jeff Banks
    • Lewis Reamer
    Colin Fox
    Colin Fox
    • Arthur Herriott
    David Fox
    David Fox
    • Lea Goodwin
    Richard W. Farrell
    • John Goodwin
    • (as Richard Farrell)
    Larry Reynolds
    Larry Reynolds
    • The Auctioneer
    Frank C. Turner
    Frank C. Turner
    • Young Man
    • (as Frank Turner)
    Ute Blunck
    • Young Woman
    Thomas Hauff
    • Billy
    Freddie Lang
    • Fiddler
    Dennis Robinson
    • Nels
    Robert Clothier
    Robert Clothier
    • Peter
    Bryan Fustukian
    • Drunk
    • (as Brian Fustukian)
    Larry Musser
    Larry Musser
    • Drunk
    • Director
      • Allan King
    • Writers
      • Olive Frederickson
      • Ben East
      • Patricia Louisianna Knop
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    6.4278
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    Featured reviews

    smurglet

    A heart-warming story the whole family can enjoy.

    I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming true story about Olive Frederickson. I was very impressed with the strength and independence of the main character, Olive, as shown in Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of her. Equally impressive is Gordon Pinsent's ability to capture the simplicity and good nature of John Frederickson. This is truly a story the entire family can enjoy.
    10byrns-2

    A treasured memory.

    After attending the Premier of Silence of the North, at the Town Theatre, in Vernon, B.C. July 1981, (with Olive & John Fredrickson, and the Cast & Crew,) I am still in awe of the beauty of Olives' story and the excellent production by Universal Studio and the Cast. After all these years, I found myself in tears, while watching Silence of the North, on TV last night. Olives' heart warming true life story, is a timeless recollection of the life of a truly, remarkable woman and her family. We all miss our dear friends, Olive & John Fredrickson, so very much. This movie lets us visit with them one more time and brings back so many treasured memories.Vi ses senare, Olive & John...........
    9ilovefossils

    Definitely Worth Your While

    A wonderful treasure that you must see. I fell in love with this movie when I was ten years old and saw it on T.V. Twenty years later paid about $80.00 to order one and still love it just as much today. The cast is absolutely excellent in it, and very natural. The cinematography is excellent with beautiful scenery. It really draws you in and you feel like you are a part of Olives life, which was an amazing journey and story of survival. The movie is suitable for the family (just maybe not younger ones as they may become frightened with a couple of scenes) and may help teach todays generation the difficulties of the previous generations, as is shown in the birth, hospital, wilderness, depression, and other scenes throughout. Definitely watch this movie if you get the chance.
    10ronjammers

    Silence of the North...one of the best adventure movies of all time!

    This movie is one of the best adventure movies that we've ever watched, as a family. The only thing we did not like was the G-Damn's and a very few other not so nice words...but we say again...very few. This movie is well worth watching and owning. The opening/closing song is also a very catchy one...we love it! If you like the outdoors and also to see that we, as in all of us, aren't the only ones with problems...you will for sure like this exciting and interesting movie.

    The best part of this movie is to see that although we have problems in life, when we stick with it, we can overcome them, when it's possible. This movie reminds us of "The Adventures of the Wilderness Family" One, Two and the third one which is called "Mountain Family Robinson" (The family's last name). They are 1970 vintage but are awesome movies, as well. These three were voted the best movies, made by an independent studio, for all of the 1970's. These four movies have a lot of outdoor interests. Both family's have their very scary moments. There are different sorts of tragedies. There is sadness in both of these movies but they are both balanced by the other side of life, as well. All of these are the way we would like to live...away from the city and it's polluted air, foods, medications, allergies and live more like people did, that come from earlier North America. If you watch this movie,you will never be sorry... (Can you tell that this is my first review ever? Ha! Ha!)
    10tessa-bird89

    silence of the north

    This movie changed my life.

    I watched it with my mother after my family up and moved to Kalispell Montana from Northern California. I was born in LA for goodness safe. I survived.

    This movie changed me as did this move. Watch it.

    The struggles are real. Today as they were back then. This movie makes you want to strive. To beat the odds. Ellen Burston is amazing and Tom Skerritt, he stole my heart.

    The scenery and action and animals and rivers and frozen snow... all of it is amazing. And really realistic considering the year this movie came out.

    I recommend this movie to all mothers and daughters. Sons and fathers too if you want to see what a man with blind ambition is all about.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to the Wikipedia website, "the film was a box office flop upon its original theatrical release, but a combination of the song winning an award and pay-TV service SelecTV picking it up eighteen months later for its evening line-up, allowed the film to develop a cult following which remains to this day."
    • Quotes

      Olive Frederickson: I mourned my bitter loss, the broken dreams, the unborn child my husband would never see.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Vintage Video: 0317 Silence of the North (1981) (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Comes a Time
      Music & Lyrics by Neil Young

      Performed by Lacy J. Dalton

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 23, 1981 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Silence of the North
    • Filming locations
      • Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Universal Productions Canada
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$8,400,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,622,898
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $344,837
      • Oct 25, 1981
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,622,898
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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