SnoopyStyle
Missie (Erin Cottrell) and Willie LaHaye (Logan Bartholomew) set off on their own to start their new homestead. She keeps her pregnancy secret from Willie. Trent, Mason, and Sonny Huff are a gang of bandits. Missie befriends Sonny's little brother Jeff. Willie hires Henry, Fyn Anders, Cookie, and Scottie to start his cattle range. Miriam Red Hawk McClain and Sean McClain are their new neighbors. There are Indians in the area led by Miriam's brother Sharp Claw.Erin Cottrell does a competent job taking over the role of Missie. She really fits the character. The actors are all solid. It's a fair Hallmark movie. The tension is pretty low for most of the movie. The bandits are broad villains. It's all very gentle and sincere.
SimonJack
"Love's Long Journey" is the best of the various films I've seen from the Janette Oke series of novels. I agree with another reviewer that Erin Cottrell plays a very good Missy. Logan Bartholomew develops more as Willie LaHaye in this film, from his quiet, withdrawn character in "Love's Enduring Promise." While the faith of this young couple is strong throughout, we see them pick their place to finally settle and build a home two years after they struck out. I wondered about that in the film – it seems like quite a long time. Most of the settlers from the early wagon trains just decided at different points that a place looked good to them and that's where they would put up stakes. That is, those who weren't otherwise forced to stop wherever their money, food and supplies ran out. But, we understand that they had stopped in Denver for at least a year, during which they worked and set aside money to be able to start a ranch with a small herd. Again, the cinematography and technical qualities of this TV film are very good. And the expanded cast adds a great deal to the story, the action and the interest.I particularly enjoyed the addition of characters – the bad guys as well as the four hands that Willie hires, and Miriam and the other neighbors Missie meets and befriends. This film keeps moving, with enough character development and action to hold a viewer's attention. It makes it the most enjoyable of the series as well. A very good family movie, with a look at life in the pioneer settlement of the West. And, with people for whom strong faith was a constant companion. Their love and their faith supported them through many trials and hardships.
SummitBoundIAM
I loved the movie "Love's Long Journey", and actually just finished watching a sequel called "Love's Unending Legacy". The movies were wonderful and very touching, but I was quite disappointed that both (actually all of the Love Saga) movies differed so much from the book. I am a very avid reader and have always preferred books over movies - partially because I find it to be a very rare movie that is true to the book. I did appreciate that the movies' directors stayed true to the faith of their original characters. I would recommend the movies for a great family outing or home-viewing, but I would also recommend that you read the books with your family. My daughters and I shared many happy hours reading the books together.
amberkaye81
I didn't really think this series was going to be my type of movie, though I have always liked a good romance. It definitely reminds me of Little House on the Prairie. I'm sure we all know why that is. When I watched this movie the first time, I cried throughout. It is absolutely wonderful! I highly recommend watching the entire series, especially watching them in the proper order. If you can't find a place to rent them, they would be well worth the purchase! I'm just trying to save up money so I can buy them for myself. I wish Little House on the Prairie would come out on DVD as well so I could add it to my collection. Unless it's come out and I just haven't found it yet?
AD
