O Pioneers!

Scandinavians are, as a rule, stoic -- I think the previous viewer missed that dynamic. That, and for a woman to have achieved success during the time this woman did was quite an accomplishment. I guess we just want more drama or shoot-em-up in our films these days, but having run a farm and done so well seems a task that eludes many in our modern world.

Whoever didn't like this film most likely was sorely out of touch with the culture at the time it was set, as well as that of the ethnic group. Jessica's character reminds me very much of someone in my own family, and her accomplishments, against often insurmountable odds, is nothing short of spectacular.

Sorry it's not exciting enough for some. The real world is not made up of alien invasions and ghetto trauma. It's a feel-good film of a culture that worked hard and succeeded. I, for one, appreciate it.

O Pioneers!" is a screen adaptation of Willa Cather's novel set in Nebraska at the turn of the century. It was originally shown on television as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame series.

Jessica Lange plays Alexandra Bergson, a competent and courageous woman whose dying father leaves her control of his failing farm. Over the years through shrewd management and persistence, she prospers. She has a mystical relationship with the land, a reverent approach she shares with a bare-footed hermit (Roberts Blossoms) who becomes her lifelong adviser and friend.

Filming in Nebraska, producer and director Glenn Jordan makes the prairie an important character in the drama. In one the most visually spectacular scenes, a group of Catholic men ride out in procession to escort a visiting bishop back to the church; it's a welcome today's clerics would certainly appreciate! O Pioneers! in many vivid and affecting ways proclaims the bounty which comes to those who respect nature and nurture it like a child. Yes I recommend it James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 2/8/2021

I was looking at some other reviews of this and felt pressed to say, it rally was pretty good. Criticisms that it was predictable are a bit unfounded when you remember that this was based on Willa Cather's novel.She wrote it first. I enjoyed the production. It talked about how people make decisions that have consequences beyond their expectations. The affair between Marie and Emil is more about Marie's decision to marry who and when she did. These things could happen today. Still, the slice of life in for American settlers is what has always drawn me to Willa Cather's works. I think Hallmark's depiction is quite solid. Jessica Lange was a good choice for the lead. Her story could have been that of so many others. Nowadays we forget that this country was settled by people faced with different choices and harder lives than we face today.

I have yet to see a film that follows its original version so well. More often than not books and movies of the same story, just don't match up. In this case the people are just as alive and able to pull at your heart strings either source and follow each other to perfection. Some of the actors are in a new genre than what we are used to seeing them in, but it all adds to a wonderful effect when they pull off their parts so well. This movie captures Willa Cather's book well and I highly reccommend it to any who love her stories. This is a wonderful film!

Jessica Lange went from the big screen to the small screen with her performance here. She is just excellent here as she is anywhere else including stage as well. Jessica Lange played the elder Alexandra Bergstrom. A young Heather Graham played the young Alexandra. She did an excellent job. Anne Heche had left "Another World" for other opportunities. This film highlighted her talent as an actress. David Straitharn played the elder Carl Lindstrom, the love of Alexandra's live. The film is kind of slow at times. The film was made for television. The ending of the film was a surprise since I haven't read the novel.