Customer Reviews

Caddie Woodlawn [VHS]

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4 star:		(3)
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Caddie Woodlawn starring Emily Schulman is based upon Carol Ryrie Brink's JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL Award Winning book "Caddie Woodlawn." Brink's book chronicles the real adventures of her grandmother (Caddie) as a twelve year old tomboy growing up in Wisconsin in the mid-1800s. With her brothers Tom and Warren, Caddie's wild ways upset her refined Bostonian mother -- Caddie would rather swim across the river to visit her friend Indian John than stay at home with her sisters and learn to knit. Caddie is the apple of her father's eye -- but even he knows that she must grow up and learn to be a woman. Mrs. Woodlawn invites her cousin Annabelle from Boston to teach Caddie how to be refined -- the visit turns hilariously disastrous when Caddie and her brothers try to teach Annabelle the ways of Wisconsin -- Annabelle is tossed from a mare, their sheep eat every single one of the "eight and eighty buttons" on her dress -- and she attempts a somersault -- little does she know that they've stuck an egg down her dress..... Despite Caddie's childish pranks -- the novel is truly inspiring as Caddie must stand up to an entire town of men to save the Indian tribe across the river from an erroneous ambush. The men of the town are convinced that a murdered pioneer family in a nearby town is the work of Indian John and his tribesman -- as the entire town gathers at the Woodlawn house (terrified as they await a massacre by the Indians) a group of vigilantes (Mr. Woodlawn NOT included) plots a surprise ambush -- which Caddie overhears in the barn. She knows that the Indians are friendly -- but she is the only person who can avert a tragedy. As she secretly prepares to make the dangerous journey to the Indian Camp her tattletale Cousin Annabelle catches her -- but agrees to keep her secret. Finally Caddie courageously rides back to her house with Indian John -- where after several tense moments -- the misunderstanding is revealed.

****If you are looking for a true story of the triumph of goodness and the incredible strength of the human spirit -- embodied in one young girl, I highly recommend the novel "Caddie Woodlawn" by CAROL RYRIE BRINK -- this movie version is entertaining and very recommendable-- but the drama, hilarity and truth in Caddie Woodlawn's story can best be found in the award-winning novel itself!!!

I remember when my third grade teacher introduced the book to my class by reading it to us. I loved it then and I love it now. I recently saw the video at our library so I checked it out for my 7 year old grand-daughter and she loved it as well, and wanted to share it with her 2nd grade class. She is also interested in folk heroes and pioneers, so this little girl who was friends with Indians intrigued her. Now we're looking for the video for her video library.

This movie is based on the book of the same name which I have not read, so I can't compare it to the book. However, seeing the movie makes me want to recommend the book to children. Caddie Woodlawn is a tomboy in the pioneer days of Wisconsin. Her lively spirit, and her red hair and pigtails remind me of Pippi Longstocking, though they don't stick out at the sides like Pippi's do, and Caddie is a "real" person, not a fantasy.

When Caddie's "proper" Boston cousin, Annabelle, comes to stay with the family, Caddie resists her mother's instructions to follow Annabell's example in etiquette and manners, and instead plays fairly harmless jokes on her. But Caddie really does have a heart of gold and a sense of justice. She's appalled at the treatment of her neighbors toward two half-breed children in the community, and secretly buys them shoes. Along with her father, she insists on keeping peace with the nearby Dakota Indians.

Caddie must deal with such emotional and common childhood issues as the loss of her dog, being bullied, jealousy over her brother's love interest, and sticking up for what she believes is right. At the expense of being punished or disapproved, she does the right thing, and in the end, she is the one who saves the community from a violent confrontation with the Dakotas.

I think the acting was very well done, with a wide variety of characterization and emotions. It's a wonderful movie for kids and family.

I saw this movie a long time ago, when I was a kid, and went back to view it again this week. It really is one of the best movies I can think of for children to see, especially your daughters. It's dramatically compelling and enjoyable to see even as an adult, and it teaches children the valuable lessons of standing up for what you believe in, doing what you know is right even when other people don't agree, and giving of yourself to those less fortunate. Caddie is a courageous, strong-willed girl who really understands herself and how the world should be. And she's willing to do whatever she can to make it better. I can't imagine a better lesson for a child to learn.

It was a pretty good movie that we watched at school because we were learning about indians and pioneers. It's a very long movie, and gets boring at times, but they always do something to liven it up!

Very good story of an early american family on the edge of the wilderness; excellent story of the confrontation with north american indians & the opression that occured by short sighted people, very good family movie; loved it!

I didn't read the book that this movie is based on but I saw the movie Caddie Woodlawn on TV and I thought it was good. It stars Emily Schulman as Caddie a free spirited tomboyish girl living in the pioneer days. If you like this movie I also recommend the TV show Christy in which Emily Schulman played one of the students of the title character (I think the character she played was named Ruby Mae) and I also recommend Little House on the Prairie and Anne Of Green Gables.

I bought this as a reading reward for my oldest daughter. We read the book together and as a reward we did a movie night. It was as much fun as I remember from when I was her age. The movie sticks pretty close to the book and it is a great look at what pioneer life was like. I am so glad I found this!!!

Caddie Woodlawn is a great movie that shows a girl's courage to stand up and do right even though it is not always the popular thing to do. I watched this movie every time I'd go visit my grandparents and really love the movie, however I noticed the DVD cuts parts of the movie out that are in the VHS and unless you have seen it before, different parts leave you wondering how different things have happened in the movie. (example: how she got the silver dollar) The VHS that has the entire movie I'd give 5 stars, since the DVD cuts parts out, I have to give it a slightly lower rating, although I still do like the shorter version.

Hi. I'm eight years old. I have read the Caddie Woodlawn book and I have been to her homestead in Wisconsin. I was dissapointed that the Movie was not like the Caddie Woodlawn book. Many events that happened in the book do not happen in the movie or they are different. If you want to really experience the wild and adventuresome Caddie Woodlawn I would recommend reading the book

Haley