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I had taped this presentation when shown on PBS back in 1991, and as I was rereading the book was prompted to play it again. I have probably read this book at least five or six times, since Cather's novels always develop memorable characters. I found the musical and choral additions to be very helpful in understanding the story. I thought the characters were all well cast, particularly that for Marie Shabata. I note that the filmed play is available in VHS form, and I think that anyone who appreciates good literature would enjoy it. I also own a tape of the television production released in 1992, which stars Jessica Lange as Alexandra Bergstrom, and would be hard pressed to recommend one rather than the other.

Since I like Willa Cather's writings very much, I was very pleased with this treatment of a portion of the novel. Of course I felt I already knew the main characters: Thea Kronberg, Dr. Archie, Spanish Johnny, etc. The film captured the story of Thea, a Swedish farm girl living in Colorado, who aspires to be a concert pianist but finds her talent really lies in singing. It is said that Willa Cather saw this story as a parallel to her own attempts to achieve success, and how this process finally robbed her of a coventionally normal life. If you like this film, you will love the book.

This movie was being filmed in the mountains of Cleveland, Georgia, at the time I had just finished high school in Atlanta, and one of my co-workers was from that town. I saw it as it was first released the following year, and enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery as well as fine acting by Susan Hayward, who later married a Georgian and made her home in Carrollton. The author, Cora Harris, was married to a Methodist circuit riding pastor, and had a good understanding of the trials and triumphs of pastors. I would heartily recommend this film along with "A Man Called Peter" and "One Foot in Heaven" as among the best that Hollywood offered when it sought to inspire better behavior.