ShelbyTMItchell
Really a great family film for the whole entire family. As saw this as an fifth grader at school. Really a touching movie about a family that is wanting to have a really better life over in Oregon.But things really in the middle get very complicated. As both parents die on the way to Oregon. The father over a blood illness after an Indian attack and the mother from pneumonia.As the oldest brother John, described as worthless and lazy from not just his father but the other adults on the Oregon trail. As the other people in the wagon train go back to Missouri feeling that going to Oregon is only going to make it worse.And they do not get or want the kids along with them. As John takes the lead and tries to make the dream a possibility despite butting heads with other siblings. But still, really a good family film!
classicsoncall
Wow, there's a lot of vitriol hurled at this film by some of the other reviewers here. I don't see that it's warranted quite frankly. The film demonstrates perseverance, fortitude and a cohesive family spirit once the parents die, leaving the 'seven alone' kids of the title to take up the father's original mission of homesteading a dream in Oregon. Watching the picture from the comfort of one's warm living room may make the story seem far fetched to a lot of viewers, but for the thousands of settlers who headed west in the 1840's, many of the hardships depicted in the picture had to be a concern. The PC police who rail against unfair treatment of Native Americans in the picture obviously missed the scene of the Indian village that accepted the Sager kids and nursed the baby back to health. As far as the acting goes, it appears that the cast of children was selected on the basis of being related to each other rather than passing a screen test. I don't see that that makes the effort any less worthwhile. How about concentrating on the values expressed in the story and admire the Sagers who persevered when all seemed hopeless. That would be a worthwhile takeaway.
contact-258
I have no idea why it is rated so poorly. My whole family was glued to the TV. It was very emotionally moving. Yes, some of the acting may be a bit sub-par, but what an inspiring, invigorating tale. If you've got children, they will love it.And it's not Just For Children. I'm in my 40's and love films including Pulp Fiction and Fargo, but I was totally engrossed by this tale of seven children who refused to give up on their father's dreams. Near the end, I was close to tears as the story got more and more dramatic. What makes this story so compelling is that it's based on fact. It's great to have a beautiful story that doesn't rely on huge budgets, phony story lines, expensive technology, and computer graphics. This is old fashioned movie making: based on a good story! Be sure to see if you enjoy wholesome, family oriented, adventure.
Timothy A. Buchser
This film was actually based on a true story of a families adventure on the Oregon trail. It was told to the writer by one of the actual daughters in the turn of the century. It is clearly not politically correct. (Nor was the frontier in 1843.) The family was actually following a structure based on the Bible. The Natives were called Indians and were not happy to see their land being taken, or their game shot. So they fought back, killed and stole what they could. The white settlers were clearly ignorant and it shows. (wow, what a surprise!) That said, my children were clearly entertained (as they were with "Against a crooked sky") A capable cast, most of the children were relatives in real life. No real standouts but fun. The ending was a bit abrupt, I was left wondering, is that it? Filmed on location so it has some nice cinematography.
AD
