Reviews (10)

"Home is the nicest word there is."
I grew up watching the reruns of Little House on the Prairie every day when I got home from kindergarten. My mom taped them, so my family owns 170 of the 200 episodes, from Episode 1, "Harvest of Friends," to the final episode, "Hello and Goodbye." Somehow, however, we missed taping "Premiere," so when I bought this DVD, I had never seen it. Well, I was a bit disappointed that in two hours the Ingalls family never reaches Walnut Grove (I was looking forward to seeing introductions of our favorite characters!), but I'm still very glad to own this gem. I know from experience that VHS tapes degrade with time and many viewings, but DVD will last forever. The pilot introduces Mr. Edwards (with a much thinner beard!) as well as the Ingalls family and includes some memorable moments between Pa and Laura. Probably the best scene of all is the classic "Errand for Santa," featuring a snow-caked Victor French who braves a blizzard to get his Christmas gifts to their recipients on time. Overall, a beautiful beginning to an endearing show.

"Caroline...We're Home....."
This review refers to "Little House On The Prairie...The Premiere Movie"(Goodtimes Video DVD)

Get ready to go from a good cry, to a big grin and back again on this very enjoyable and heartwarming family TV program. It's the beginning of a classic series that stands the test of time, and should be shared with a new generation.

"The Premiere Movie"..a double length feature that will introduce you to the Ingalls family and their harrowing journey to make a better life for themselves. You'll also meet Jack the dog and Mr. Edwards(Victor French) for the first time. When Charles says "Caroline..were home...".have the kleenex ready! It stars Michael Landon(who also directed many of the episodes), Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson.

Goodtimes DVD has done a nice job of transfering these 70's TV classsics. They look great. Nice color and sound. There is some occasional flickering but a very enjoyable view overall. It's nice to be able to enjoy them whenever the mood hits and without all the commercials!.If you really love these stories, you may want to consider buying the 4 pack. It includes this one,a double length feature "The Lord Is My Sheperd"(Little Laura runs away to be closer to God),"The Collection"(guest starring Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash), and "Laura Ingalls Wilder"(Laura and Almanzo finally tie the knot), another double length feature.

You'll laugh, you'll cry!...enjoy...Laurie

The Beginning of "Little House"
The Pilot film of "Little House on the Prairie" was what made Little House as it is today. It was first aired in 1974 on NBC-TV. Millions of fans gathered around the TV to watch it and now years later it is still a hit. Watch this great movie and enjoy it on DVD with your family for years to come! I have seen it several times and each time I see it I see somthing new that I have forgotten or that I have'nt seen before.

Goodtimes Video Tape Version!
I'm reviewing the video tape put out by Goodtimes Home Video, it contains the pilot movie that started the television show. Little House on The Prairie was one of my favorite shows as a child. I was Nine years old when this TV movie aired for he first time and I liked it and grew up watching the show. This Goodtimes tape is okay but kind of grainy. Complete seasons of Little House on the Prairie have been put on DVD, I think there is about 4 seasons that are available right now and I'm hoping to someday buy complete seasons on DVD! This is a terrific show!

Classic Tv Show
In this Dvd are the pilot episode of Little House of the Praire not a double lenght movie as the package says.

The transfer quality is good as well the sound.

The only thing is the absence of any subtitles or captions necesary for international customers like me.

I want to see also a good show featuring M Landon and Victor French Highway to Heaven released soon on Dvd.

Meanwhile I will collect most of the LHOTP Dvds. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Civil War Takes Away Man's Sons - Powerful Historical Drama
Jimmy Stewart is superb as Charlie Anderson, the aging family man who choses to ignore the Civil War raging around his farm in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. When Rebel officers mistake his young son for an enemy Union Soldier and take him prisoner, the furious Anderson rides off with his older sons, determined to get the boy back.

The dangerous adventure demands the lives of two sons and one of their wives. Only after the chastened Anderson reluctantly abandons his search does his beloved "Boy", who had been safe all along after escaping, return home to him.

This perfectly cast, acted and photographed film likely held the finest role of Jimmy Stewart's career. At last the ever-mature actor was allowed to play an age-appropriate character who was NOT romantically linked to a woman who could have been his daughter (i.e. "Rear Window"/"Vertigo"/"The Man Who Knew Too Much"). - The theme song "Shenandoah" is an enduring favorite and very collectable as 45rpm vinyl record/LP.

Great Movie, So-so DVD
Classic, family-friendly Civil War story about an isolationist Virginia farmer (James Stewart) who is forced to become involved in the conflict raging around him when his youngest son (Philip Alford) is mistakenly taken prisoner by Union soldiers. Like John Wayne in "The Searchers", Stewart sets out to hunt down his kidnapped loved one, enduring physical, emotional, and spiritual hardships along the way. Uniformly well-acted by a superb cast, with stand-out performances from Patrick Wayne, film newcomer Katharine Ross, talented juvenile lead Alford, and of course, venerable screen legend Stewart. Capably directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, from a solid screenplay that deftly blends moments of sweet-natured humor and wrenching drama. (Take special note of the tragic scene at the family farm ... most of the violence takes place off-screen, and is all the more disturbing because of what you don't see. Now that's skillful, mature filmmaking!)

Fans of the movie who have patiently awaited its release on DVD are bound to be a bit disappointed with Universal's unremastered print and bare bones presentation. The first two or three minutes of the DVD are plagued by bad sound (the music crackles and pops with distortion) and a horrendous video transfer (the picture is grainy and has tiny white lines running through it). Thankfully, things quickly get better after that rocky start. The DVD includes the Original Theatrical Trailer which has deteriorated badly and is presented in full-frame; sadly, there are no other extras offered on this edition.

The pacifist view

Jimmy Stewart (playing Charlie Anderson) is a pacifist who has 500 acres in Virginia during the "civil" war. He also is head of a family including six sons and a daughter, and is trying his best to ignore the war swirling around him. This apparently is set in northern Virginia, which borders Washington D.C. (the north) and the Southern forces.

Doug McClure and Patrick Wayne are two of the lesser lights playing supporting roles. The entire cast is well directed and plays their parts well.

A great job of casting, directing, acting, and a wonderful story. Forget the "allegories, allusions, irony, and metaphors." You ruin a picture like this trying to take it apart, or alluding to the political nuances that it is supposedly portraying on behalf of Hollywood propaganda. It is a moving story, and one of the great ones.

As for being "superficial" or "overacted" (one critic's complaint about old and classic movies), I find just the opposite is true. I find those categories better acted, with more depth and honest acting than most of the trash we get foisted off on us today.

Maybe it's just a generational thing.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

A very good heartfelt movie for the whole family
While this movie doesn't fit today's tastes for irony, cynicism, and action that is as violent and graphic as possible, I like this movie a great deal. Actually, it is because it isn't like today's movies that I appreciate it more. Some find its earnestness too sweet and the humor a bit ham-bone. But I am willing to transport myself into a time when such things were possible in movies. All movies have conventions and none are "realistic" - not even documentaries. So, if you can accept one set of conventions, you should be able to adapt to another and appreciate the movie for what it sets out to be.

This is not a movie about violence per se. It is about family and loss, and deals with the notion of trying to be in the world but apart from it and how difficult that can be because the world has a way of rolling over you. The Civil War is the backdrop of this question. Jimmy Stewart's character, Charlie Anderson, is a widower who still grieves for his lost sweetheart. He has a bunch of sons and one daughter. He tries to keep them out of the war, but cannot. His daughter is pursued by Lieutenant Sam (Doug McClure) who fights for the Confederacy. (If both armies are bad to Charlie Anderson - the Yankees are the worse army in this movie.)

My two favorite scenes are the family prayer over the meal where Charlie thanks God for the meal and food while noting without their hard work it wouldn't be on the table. The other is when Lieutenant Sam asks Charlie for Jennie's hand in marriage. Charlie asks Sam why he wants to marry Jennie. Sam say's its because he loves her. Charlie says that isn't good enough. Sam is nonplussed. Charlie asks if he likes her. Sam doesn't get it. And the explanation Charlie gives should be printed on a card and handed to EVERY young couple contemplating marriage. It is wonderful and true.

This is a good movie if not a great one. If you enjoy Jimmy Stewart, this is a very good performance. If you like heartfelt movies and enjoy something not laced with the bitter taste of modern movies, then this is one you will likely enjoy. I still like to watch it now and again.

Limited Government
This is a film that is basically about the evils of abolishing limited government. The message is clear. Whenever the main character walks outside of his self-sufficient context and begins to rely on big government he is stabbed in the back. Eventually he loses two sons in the story because he is cornered into taking sides in the civil war, which he vowed not to get involved in. Libertarians will like this film. Conservatives will likely be intrigued and provoked into thinking about what has happened in our country. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This surprisingly absorbing drama, based on Conrad Richter's novel, tells the tale of the re-assimilation of Johnny Butler, kidnapped as a child by Native Americans (in this 1958 film, of course, called Indians), into the "white man's world." Reluctant and unfamiliar with his biological parents (Jessica Tandy and Frank Ferguson), he's befriended by frontiersman Del Hardy (Fess Parker, basically looking handsome and playing his popular image), also raised by the Indians and now an Army man. Johnny also meets and fancies Shenandoe--his aunt and nasty uncle's indentured servant girl,(a positively luminescent Carol Lynley, 16, in her first role), whose family was massacred by another tribe. While this is an action film set in 1764, made in the still politically insensitive 1950s, it manages not to paint stereotypes. But Light in the Forest is, more than anything, a love story. Shenandoe, terrified of Johnny initially, grows to love him. Johnny, burdened by not feeling he belongs in either world, finds solace in Shenandoe's sweet friendship. (Ages 8 and older) --N.F. Mendoza ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Hm.
The film The Light in The forest was exactly what you would expect in a Disney film. No gore no real fighting, if your an action movie lover then this is the worng flick for you. After reading the novel by Conrad Richter, Diney literally trashed this book. Changed everything besides a few things. Also if you like movies true to the book, skip this one.

Nostalgic movie but not for today's kids...
If you were born in the 1960's or before, you might enjoy this sweet, simple Disney tale of young love and the wilderness. Today's youth, however, will find it a snooze. MacArthur and Lynley are beautiful and display great promise.

The Movie VS. The Book
The name of this movie as you can tell is "The Light in the Forest. Some of the things in the movie were the same as in the novel. One thing that was similar is most of the same characters were in both the movie and the novel. Another similarity that i liked was that they had most of the same settings. One thing that i disliked was the fact that True Son's white brother wasn't in the movie, instead he was replaced by the servant girl. I didn't enjoy the elements of the movie because it wasn't like the novel. There were many things that were different. One big difference is that Gordie (True Son's white brother) wasn't in the movie. Another big difference is that there was no name for the servant girl in the novel and that she wasn't really paid attention to in the novel. However in the movie she was as important as Gordie was in the novel. That is what i think of the movie and how it campares to the novel.

The Light in the Forest review
Iv'e seen this movie called The Light in the Forest and it was wonderful. The original author was Conrad Richter, then they turned the book into a movie.The video was ful of adventure and excitement cast int he 1760's in america. I think the movie was cool but I don't like some parts of it,like when they left out and added some characters and scenes that were not in the novel. The again I like the part when Trueson got into a fight with his uncle Wilse and first got beat up but the beated his uncle up. I also liked that the video ended with a happy ending and everybody is okay, but in the novel Trueson was left hanging and doesn't know where to go. The video and the novel are somewhat the ame and different. The video focuses Trueson's problem is his uncle and the novel focuses himself getting home to his Indian home. The video is bases on a Disney movie and has a happy ending to it.I recomend you see the movie, I think people will enjoy it.

read the book forget the movie
The Light in the forest the movie was awful. I loved story line but it was made unprofeshinally and un real.It was like watching a kindergardners play (which I would enjoy much more.)The book was made with a spirit of passion by Conrad Richter but the movie toke that passion and obviously changed it into a heap of garbage.
The movie is about True Son a boy who has lived among the indians for many years and now must go back home to his real white family. The boy is lost between his two sided heart now he must make a decision.
If I were to compare this to a rollercoaster ride of your mind it would be a rollercoaster going no where. ... Read more

Description

Film adaptation of Gordon Parks's autobiographical novel about his youth in Kansas. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great movie but waiting for DVD format.
This movie made a very striking and lasting impression on me, I first saw it when I was about 12 years old. It's a movie that both my Grandmother, who is nearly 81, and I, who am 28 years of age now, can both enjoy because it's a drama based on history. It's a learning experience for those who cannot begin to fathom what it was like for blacks in America during those racially charged earlier days in American history.

A true classic in African American cinema.
The story was based off of Gordon Parks real life story. A very good depiction of life in the early part of the century.

Compare this with "To Kill a Mockingbird"
I rank this right up there with "To Kill a Mockingbird"
(which, I admit, I haven't watched for a few years).
I suspect this film is better at showing what life was like for
Blacks and has a better balanced cast of good, bad, and mixed
characters. This probably didn't catch on as much since the
sex was less politically correct for the time (e.g., white boy
gets black girl pregnant), there are onscreen shootings, and
there is minor onscreen nudity.
Extremely appropriate for high schoolers and up interested
in a strongly moving view of the black experience by a very
major artist and writer (Parks).

The Learning Tree?
I reluctantly watched this movie because i was waiting for my mom to finish with the VCR. Anyway, the first time I watched "The Learning Tree", I thought that it dragged on and on. The second time I watched it, however, the story seemed very moving to me. I was really impressed with how good the story is.

A Missed Opportunity
This could have been a great movie. I found the story interesting. The film depicts growing up as an African-American in rural Kansas of the 1920's. Unfortunately, the film is marred by a mediocre script and poor acting. This movie is a missed opportunity to take a memorable story and make of it a moving film. Instead the film falls flat. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

amazing story of family
If you see only one Little House episode in your life, see this one!!!... It has been my favorite for years. It's really about forgiving, understanding, and loving your family through hard times. With all the things going on in the world, this is what it all boils down to, and this is what TV should be. This is just a beautiful movie with excellent family values, outstanding acting (Michael Landon's performance is one to remember), and a strong feel-good tone brought together to create a story you can appreciate and characters you can admire.

I definitely recommend this. And if you're new to "Little House," I would also recommend the others in the series. Check out some really good ones like "Remember Me," "Premiere Movie," "Craftsman," and many more. This is a show that will never lose its flavor.

BEAUTIFUL story of family and forgiveness
What a beautiful and touching movie. I have recently become a huge Little House fan, thanks to my mom who got me hooked on the TV series =) This is one of the most powerful episodes I have ever seen--it's so REAL and therefore incredibly effective. What I like so much about the Little House videos is that they have such strong family morals. This is a family that loves each other so much, you just want to cry because it is so touching. In "The Lord is my Shepherd," the spirited young Laura Ingalls gets nervous when a baby boy is born into their family. She sees her Pa with his new son and worries that the baby will take her place in her father's heart. Laura's jealousy is so thick that she refuses to pray for her brother when he comes down with an illness that threatens to take his life. But, as it turns out, Laura ends up being the most devastated one in her family when the baby dies. She feels that the baby's death is her fault, and she feels overwhelmingly guilty because she actually believes that her father wants a son more than he wants her. Lost in her own emotions, Laura runs away to the mountains and, through the grace of God, meets a kindhearted old hermit named Jonathan who befriends Laura and gradually counsels her through gentle advice and a sense of understanding. It is Jonathan who will help Laura come to the realization that nobody could possibly love and need her the way her Pa does (and if you watch some more videos in the series, you will immediately see how much he really loves and cherishes Laura). It is a truly beautiful story that moved me so deeply. Both Laura and Pa learn valuable lessons about unconditional family love. The Ingalls family paints a clear picture of what family is all about. The acting here is strong, solid, and consistent. Melissa Gilbert is heart-melting and sincere as little Laura, and Michael Landon is absolutely incredible in his role. To me, he IS Charles "Pa" Ingalls, and the only one I can imagine fit for the part. He may very well be one of the most masterful actors I have ever seen. He plays the role to the max, and he becomes the character both inside and out. His acting is so strong--in fact, all of the acting in "Little House on the Prairie" is amazing. Sorry if I ended up writing too much--but when it comes to movies like this, there aren't enough words in the world to describe how good they are. "The Lord is My Shepherd" is a beautiful, beautiful story with all the morality, love, and sensitivity that you could ask for in a movie. Blended in with the hardships of pioneer life and a vision of the courageous individuals who lived through it, it makes a pretty impressive movie that you can watch with your entire family. Don't wait any longer to watch these shows--I truly do hope that you will buy some of them, because I'm sure you will be very moved and inspired by the message that they have to share. (sorry again for making this too long!!!)

the lord is my shepard: Little House on the Prairie
I like this video because of it's family values it has. The sence of family unity. I just love shows that are wholesome and that I can watch with my children. And Little House has that.They don't have any bad words or naughty senes in it. And still it lasts through time. That proves that wholesome entertainment lasts the test of time and people truely like that best. ... Read more

Description

From the woods of Wisconsin and the plains of Kansas to Minnesota, the Ingalls fight to build and hold onto a new home, facing the danger of an untamed wilderness on the American frontier of the 1870's.

A Christmas They Never Forgot - After a sudden, fierce snowstorm traps all the members of the Ingalls family inside the little house on Christmas Eve, they pass the time by exchanging stories about their favorite Christmases of the past. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very good Christmas story
Excellent "Little House" video with great music, sensitivity, love, and family. This video has everything. =) When the family gets snowed in on Christmas Eve, they pass the time by retelling stories of their most memorable Christmases in the past. Each flashback was touching and entertaining. My favorite stories were those of Almanzo and Hester Sue. Almanzo was just so adorable, I laughed, and Hester Sue had an extremely bittersweet story to tell. Yes, the flashbacks are short, but they're enough to give you a fairly good background on the individual character. Don't miss this "Little House" edition--it's a great video to watch, both at Christmas and throughout the year.

Wonderful Christmas Episode, Beautiful Music
This is a beautiful episode where the family reminisces about their favorite Christmases in the past. It's sweet to see Almanzo as a little boy, and also Caroline as a little girl. My favorite aspect is that Michael Landon brought in a special group of choral singers for this episode and the music is amazing, absolutely beautiful. It's a wonderful family video that really conveys the true holiday spirit.

Little House On The Prairie - The Christmas They Never Forgo
I have seen all the Little House On The Prairie Shows. You can't go wrong with these. It shows how families & friends stick together through thick and thin. Teaches good family values that have been lost over the years. It shows how hard it was to make a living in the 1800's and how family and friends pull together to help one another. You will cry and you will laugh.

Not what I expected!
I love everything that is connected with Laura Ingalls Wilder, and was looking forward to this video. However, it was just filled with reflections and short flashbacks. I would prefer to see a movie that actually developed one of these flashbacks rather than this. I was also hoping to give the Ingalls bug to my daughter. This video doesn't allow you to watch any particular character long enough for that. I probably would have bought this eventually but only after I purchased the other available videos.

I love it! I really recomened it for all Little house fans!
Little House on the Prarie is a wonderful show! I've loved it ever since I was a little girl! And it has the love of a famiy in it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Movie
This movie is truer to the books than the tv series. It is not perfect but is what helped introduce me to Laura and her books.

Wonderful
This is the movie that started it all. A young pioneer family heads out of their home in the "big woods" not quite knowing what to expect. They settle on the Indian territory, make a home for themselves, and remain close as a family. Despite a few fearful encounters with Indians, wolves, and a fire upon their house, the Ingalls family remains tight in love. They celebrate their first Christmas in the territory, befriend the loving yet gruff Mr. Edwards, and experience many births, both in their hearts and in their horses. If you want to see a good movie on love and persistence, then by all means buy this one. ... Read more

Description

Difficult economic times cause the Ingalls to move closer to Mary who is teaching at the blind school in the city. They all prepare to celebrate Mary’s birthday: Pa sells his fiddle to purchase her a present and Laura makes her a card written in braille. Everyone is moved to tears when Mary expresses her appreciation for the special people in her life – as they are everything she could ever really want ... Read more

Reviews (1)

continues the "Little House" tradition
This episode has no problem carrying out all of the characteristics of "Little House on the Prairie" that makes the series so wonderful. In this story, the Ingalls' adopted son Albert is forced to get a true taste of prejudice at a young age. The people who are supposed to be his friends turn on him and call him a "Jew lover" when he befriends and becomes the apprentice of a kind, elderly Jewish craftsman. Albert and the craftsman carry this episode all the way through--they are two beautiful people who come together to address the issue of prejudice and stress the meaning of love. Great acting, great story--I recommend it ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Exciting western with impressive cast
Rio Conchos is a very good western with violence that is still a bit startling when you see it today, much less in 1964. A wagon train carrying 2,000 new repeating rifles has been stolen causing the army to worry where they went. Two soldiers team up with a drunken ex-Confederate officer and a bandit to track down the missing guns. While searching, they discover a Confederate officer, Colonel Theron Pardee, who is trying to start the Civil War all over again by giving Apache warriors the new repeating rifles. The small group must try and stop him as they battle Mexican bandits, Apache warriors, and even themselves. Rio Conchos is a grim western with a very realistic tone. The violence seems out of place for the time, but it is still very effective, most notably in the torture scene towards the end. Jerry Goldsmith turns in another excellent score, sometimes reminiscent of Bandolero. For an enjoyable yet dark western, check out Rio Conchos.

Richard Boone gives an excellent performance as Jim Lassiter, the ex-Confederate officer who joins up with the army. At the same time, Lassiter is dealing with the death of his family at the hands of the Apaches. Stuart Whitman is also very good as army Captain Haven, the leader of the small bunch. Anthony Franciosa stars as Rodriguez, the bandit who joins Lassiter and Haven. In his first movie since leaving football, Jim Brown plays Sgt. Franklyn, Haven's right hand man. Edmond O'Brien stars as Colonel Pardee, who hopes to begin the Civil War again. The movie also stars Wende Wagner, Rodolfo Acosta, Vito Scotti, and Kevin Hagen. The VHS is in pan-n-scan so it isn't of the best quality. This movie begs for a DVD widescreen release. For an excellent western with a very good cast, check out Rio Conchos!

Apocalypse Now south of the border
Rio Conchos is a very action filled outing very similar to 2 other films but good in its own right. It stars Richard Boone and Tony Franciosa as 2 renegades who team with 2 soldiers played by Stuart Whitman and Jim Brown in his debut to track down an ex-Rebel Colonel played by Edmond O'brien. He is trying to reestablish the confederacy in Mexico using stolen rifles and Apaches as his new troops. The Jerry Goldsmith score is superb and the action is constant. The film is much like Whitman's earlier effort The Comancheros with John Wayne, and has some noticeable parallels to 1979 Vietnam movie Apocalypse Now. The journey upriver, the renegade Colonel using native troops,etc. all predate Coppola's effort. After a recent viewing I speculated if screenwriter John Milius may have been influenced by this film. A definite favorite of mine and one of the most rugged westerns of the 1960's.

One of the best Western's ever - fast paced, tight and tense
Ranks with 'True Grit' as one of my favorite Westerns. Richard Bonne at his grizzled, onery best. Tony Franciosa is also memorable as Major Lassiter's (Boone) cutthroat Mexican sidekick. This movie has it all, cavalry, apaches, banditos, confederate renegades, stolen repeating rifles - hard core all the way. Jim Brown's movie debut as the loyal, strong, silent, US Cavalry Sergeant. Quite violent and ruthless for a 1964 movie. Jerry Goldsmith's accompanying musical score is also excellent.

Great western entertainment.
Stuart Whitman, Richard Boone, Jim Brown and Anthony Franciosa are well cast in this tough western tale. Edmund O'Brien is also a stand out. Don't miss it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great story
"Home is the nicest word there is." These are Laura Ingalls' sweet and touching words that help kick off the "Little House on the Prairie" video series in "A Harvest of Friends." The Ingalls family has decided to settle at Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. Pa builds a house for the family, and they are all happy there. Pa starts working for two men named Mr. Hanson and Mr. O'Neil to ensure that he can earn the supplies he needs for his harvest. Mr. Hanson is a kind and caring man, but Mr. O'Neil is pushy and unrelenting. So, when Pa falls out of a tree at a family picnic and is ordered off to bed, you could probably guess which one of those two men is understanding and which one refuses to cut Pa any slack. I was very touched when the title of this video came to life and presented itself so beautifully at the end. This is a good one--I give it 5 stars and I definitely recommend it. ... Read more

Description

: From the woods of Wisconsin and the plains of Kansas to Minnesota, the Ingalls fight to build and hold onto a new home, facing the danger of an untamed wilderness on the American frontier of the 1870's.

Christmas at Plum Creek - In this unforgettable holiday classic, the members of the Ingalls family work to make their very first Christmas at their new home in Plum Creek a memorable one full of joy, tears, and a whole lot of love. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Christmas spirit is written all over this video
If you want Christmas spirit, look no further than "Christmas at Plum Creek." This is a beautiful video with a good message. The entire Ingalls family is struggling to provide their fellow family members with good Christmas gifts, and they end up doing just that by working energetically and making substantial sacrifices. The sacrifice that young Laura makes for her beloved Ma is one that will melt your heart and bring you to embrace the true meaning of Christmas. Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon deliver wonderful performances, just like always. Buy it, you'll be glad u did, it's a wonderful story that has everything about Christmas that is important tied in with it.

Sweet story of an Ingalls family Christmas
I grew up watching the Little House series, and I recently purchased this episode. This story illustrates the Ingalls' first Christmas at Plum Creek. It shows how each family member finds a special way to give a gift without a lot of money, even having to make big sacrifices and be a little sneaky keeping secrets. The story is very touching and really captures the holiday spirit in the Ingalls family. I love it and will pull it out every Christmas.

"Christmas at Plum Creek" is a MUST as a holiday tradition!
This epsiode will have you laughing and crying and take you back to the childhood joy of Christmas. Be sure to add this video to your holiday favorites, nothing will bring the true Spirit of Christmas closer to your heart!

A heartwarming holiday episode
Purely delightful watching this episode. It's one the entire family can enjoy. The Ingalls in their circle of Christmas cheer and holiday secrets had me AND my children smiling to the very end.

a gift to share with all
beautifully done, it's like you are there ... Read more

Description

Based on the best-selling books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, this classic, produced and directed by Michael Landon, takes us from the woods of Wisconsin to the plains of Kansas where the Ingalls struggle to build a new life.With indomitable courage that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, the Ingalls face endless challenges and experience countless adventures as they pursue their dream of a new home.This premiere movie is a "must-have" for all Little House fans! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The best show of all time!
I wish there were shows like this still on TV today! We got this DVD for a family Christmas present a couple of years ago and we're starting to collect the whole series on DVD.

The actors are awesome, especially Michael Landon. Charles Ingalls was about the kindest, smartest, and sweetest father you'll find in any TV show or movie, ever. Karen Grassle was pretty good as his wife, Caroline Ingalls. Not all of her performances in the series are that great, but in this, the Pilot Episode, she really shines. Melissa Sue Anderson is perfect in the role of sometimes annoying, but still lovable, oldest daughter Mary. Of course, then there's Melissa Gilbert as Laura. Next to Michael Landon, she exhibited the most talent. Finally, the twins Lindsey and Sidney Greenbush play the adorable baby of the family, Carrie.

This is such a touching story, and true to boot. A family who sticks together through hard times--what could be better? One warning, though: if you see this pilot you'll find youself buying all the other Little House DVDs there are.

NOT included on the Complete Season sets
This is the ONLY single disc release that is not being included on the Complete Season box sets being released by the same company. All of the 2-hour specials, etc. being released individually are also included on the box sets, but this pilot episode is not. So, if you are a Little House completist, buy this disc to add to your box set collection.

The best pilot of all
Little house on the prairie is the greatest show ever.
The pilot was not aired here in France. I know folks who had bought the VHS so I could see it. But I ordered the DVD anyway.
The quality is great, the pictures are wonderful, much more than the VHS. It is so great to hear the original voices! And funny to hear the Osage chef speaking french with such an accent! :-))
Anyway, the DVD is worth the buy, you won't be disappointed and although it is encoded region 1 ONLY, you can perfectly see it with ALL DVD player as it's written behind "zones (1-6)".
I absolutely recommend this article for all the fans and the others. It's the beginning of all, you discover the characters, you love them!
Everybody acts so well they don't look like acting. It seems that you are looking your dreamed-neighbours by the window!!
Well, buy it, even in other countries than USA, because it's not very expensive regarding its value. ... Read more

Description

In this dramatic two-hour episode, Charles takes Mary to an eye specialist when she begins to experience difficulty seeing. He is devastated to learn that she will most certainly lose her sight and for a while cannot bring himself to tell her the truth about her condition.When Mary does go blind, Charles and Caroline decide it would be best for her to attend a special school in Iowa.Although reluctant to participate and learn in the beginning, Mary develops a special bond with her teacher, Adam Kendall that changes her outlook on life.Mary becomes an excellent student and is invited to stay on as a teacher. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Included on the Complete Season set!
In a very unclear and probably intentionally confusing marketing move, this and all of the other "2-hour TV special" Little House DVDs being released separated are actually included on the Complete Season box sets being released by the same company. I purchased three of these "specials" before realizing that they were all 2-part episodes to be found on the complete season sets. This one, for example, can be found on the Complete Third Season, which is now available. While I don't have a problem with these 2-part shows being released separately, I don't understand the need for it and I really, really wish that it would be made clear somewhere on the packaging. Considering that these single disc releases have no special features, this is the worst example of DVD "double dipping" I've seen in a long time!!

wonderful....great memories of a terrific show
Hands down, "I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away" is a classic in the "Little House on the Prairie" series and is something you'll definitely want to see if you're a fan of the show. Indeed, it is a critical turning point, both on the show and in the true-to-life books, and it launches some drastic changes in the entire Ingalls family. When fifteen-year-old Mary is stricken with blindness, it is her initial denial and her family's fear and guilt that makes for a very emotional first few months. Mary's parents send her to a top-notch school for the blind, where she refuses to learn at first but is pulled in the right direction by her patient teacher Adam Kendall. In time, they form a loving bond that will last forever, and Mary's character matures a hundred times over through her experience.

This is a beautiful episode, and it is easy to see why actress Melissa Sue Anderson was nominated for an Emmy for her performance here as Mary. This entire show is filled with many memorable, touching, and sometimes shattering moments that test a family's strength and inspire you. Anyone who takes the time to appreciate this wonderful show will definitely see that.

Wonderful episode, superb TV series...highly recommended.

BEST episode of the 4th season!!!!!!!
This is televison at its BEST in the 1970's and LHOTP at its BEST!!!!! the acting is superb and this is the season finale for season 4, this is also the most pivotal point in the LHOTP storylines. the episode is all about Mary going blind and how the Ingalls deal with Mary's blindness. 5 stars out of 5

Takes you back...
This is one of my absolute favorite episodes of Little House on the Prairie. This is where the character of Adam is introduced. Finally the girls are starting to grow up. Mary is stricken blind and after much denial and fear finally overcomes the shock of it all, and finds her way back. Adam helps her through her struggle with tough love, and Mary is able to be the teacher that she always wanted to be. ... Read more

Description

The Ingalls – including Albert, The Garveys and The Olesons tire of the bustling city and decide to return to Walnut Grove. They discover that the town has been severely neglected during their absence and set to work immediately to ensure Walnut Grove is restored to its former glory! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Heart touching & still missing true historic Wilder story
I always loved Little House and from time to time love to jump back in time to once again watch the series. What is sad is this story is so focused on Almanzos sister, it should be called Almanzos sisters sacrafice. It also is far from the actual historical events in Laura Ingalls Wilders life. I found that the story was very much writen as Landon wanted it to go. Not as how it should have gone from history. I found it disappointing with the Wedding scene almost non-existant and poorly done. The story was enjoyable most of the times however and only would recommend if you're familiar with the series on tv. If not I would say pass.

I Like the Books, the TV Show and The TV Movies!
I was nine years old when one of my favorite television shows Little House on the Prairie first aired on TV and I grew up watching it with my family. I'm a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, both the real one who wrote the books the television show is based on and the character from the show played by Melissa Gilbert and I loved when they brought in Dean Butler to play Almonzo Wilder, he and Melissa had some wonderful chemistry that made the marriage of Laura and Almonzo believable. Yes the show made some changes from the books and not everything that happened in the show for Laura and Almanzo are in the books and though Laura's sister Mary did go blind I don't think she ever got married so Adam I believe was a totally fictional character and I don't know if if the real Laura's parents ever adopted a boy named Albert but I still like the show anyway and I highly recommend it! The TV show now has at least four seasons that are on DVD and I'm hoping to buy the DVD complete seasons someday.

good times collection with john amos
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND IF YOU HAVE BLACK COMEDY SHOW THAT HAD JOHN AMOS,ESTHER ROLLE, JIMMY WALKER IT WAS TV BACK IN THE 1970 TO ABOUT 1975 OR I THINK. I AM ALSO LOOKING FOR THE GOLDEN GIRLS WITH BEA ARTHUR, RUE MACLANAHAN, BETTY WHITE. IF YOU LET ME KNOW MY HUSBAND HAS AN ACCOUNT WITH YOU ALREADY DISCO_80913
SIGN DEPERATE SHALON

far from the truth!
i am an avid little house on the prairie fan! both the television show and the real life books and articles i have read about the ingalls family. i was very dissapointed when i read in an article that the events in the television show are far from what really happened in her books and real life. for example, yes mary did go blind but there was never any such man as adam, who in the video become her teacher and later her husband. they built a whole story line about mary and "adam". come to find out there is no "adam". when mary became blind she lived the rest of her life with pa and ma sitting in a rocking chair letting her life whittle away.

Love Wilder, can't stand Landon's schmaltz & ego
Sorry to dissent from the fan-fest for LHOTP lovers, but I just can't take the schmaltz that Michael Landon put into these movies, especially in the later years. Worse, he deviated so far from the original stories that the characters and situations are unrecognizable. The first movie (where is it? Out of print? It's the only one true to the books and without a weepfest every 15 minutes!!)was good, and I watched the series religiously as a child, but my gosh, Landon turned the later years into male bonding sob fests. Alfred (nonexistant in books!) becomes a major character, and he and Pa get most of the attention...I guess I'm a minority viewpoint, but don't mistake these made for TV movies for a Laura Ingalls Wilder experience. Read the books. ... Read more