Customer Reviews

The Dollmaker [VHS]

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I believe "The Dollmaker" was a made for television movie years ago. To this date, even tho it was made for television, "The Dollmaker" is one of my all time favorite movies. It is most inspiring to me, especially if I am at a low point in my life's journey.

In the movie we see the love and the struggles of an Appliachian Kentucky family. The Nevel family may lack in money and materialistic "things" but the family is rich with tradition, family, love and faith in God. From the outside they had little but really they had it all.

We see the Gertie (Jane Fonda) and her husband, Clovis (Levon Helm), move from their beloved Appalachia Kentucky to the chaotic Detroit. Clovis was to be called up to serve in WWII but went to Detroit where the family could be enrich by Clovis joining a union and working at a car assembly plant.

Gertie finds her whole family stuck in a crackerbox of a housing development in a world far away from Appalachia. How will she and the children adjust to Detroit? How will Clovis make it in the union? Will the Nevels ever see their beloved Appalachia Kentucky again?

It is a bittersweet struggle of survival for one woman, to beat all the odds stacked against her and her family and to follow that dream in life... "HOME". It proves one CAN go home again if they only have the dream and desire.

How will Gertie accomplish it? At what cost will it be to Gertie?

One word to the wise, have a box of tissue near by as you watch the movie.

I wish this movie would come out of print and more people could see it as it is most inspiring. It leaves the viewer with the motivation that they TOO can dream and reach that dream in life! It makes the viewer most grateful for what they have in life.

I cannot recommend this movie enough. I love this movie so much, that I bought a used copy of this video as a gift to a friend at a very high price. It's worth every penny and I treasure my own copy of "The Dollmaker".

This is without a doubt the best acting Jane Fonda has ever done. If this movie had been a theatrical release, her performance would have won her an oscar. This is the most moving and beautiful family film I have ever seen. The child actors in this film are amazing beyond words and Helms casting as the husband of Fondas character is perfect. The soundtrack alone I would pay a fortune to own. Lucky for me,I do own a copy of the video and have enjoyed it many times.

This is an all time favorite movie of mine! The entire cast was supremely talented. The story was very moving. It made me so glad I live the life I do. Theirs was such a hard life after they moved to Detroit. This one is a classic!

I have looked everywhere for this movie. It is my very favorite movie. You can't help but cry when you watch it. It shares the classic struggle that Gert has to care for her children without undermining her husbands need to support the family. Of all the movies I have ever seen (theater and TV), this is still by far my favorite. It reminds of the strength and love that all women have when it comes to their loved ones ;And no matter how tough times may be the creative sacrifices that they willingly endure.

An outstanding film that should be made available on DVD. Jane Fonda portrays realistically a woman of her time. The lessons taught in this movie are numerous and important.

I highly recommend it be re-issued on DVD.

This is one of the most fantastic performances ever filmed for television. People who detested Jane Fonda for her inappropriate trip to Hanoi were completely won back to respect for her when they saw this movie. It's the kind of film that draws you in against your will--just try to walk through the room when someone else is watching it. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster--yet it never becomes self-indulgent and soapy. Ranks with Fonda's performance in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? as her absolute best. To someone out there with money--where's the DVD? This film deserves to be preserved for all time.

I'm not sure what year this wonderful film was released and it's hard to believe it's not available on tape yet. The down home charm of this folklike movie has made me actually wear out my old home taped copy after excessive viewing. Jane Fonda's portrayal of this homespun Kentucky mountain woman was absolutely fantastic. It was also good to see Helm on screen again continuing to play his often southern mountain character. These two actors together made quite a team showing us their poor, yet hard working and surviving family during war and less prosperous times in our country. A talented craftswoman and hard working wife that has a somewhat dreamer of a husband that works hard and learns to appreciate the life they already had was all they really needed. Each character, in their own way uses the skills they were given to improve their families lives and survive the times. This movie, as well as, a few select others I can think of, gave me that view into some of past times of people living nickel to nickel, company housing projects,coping with extreme family tragedy, food that is precious to life, hard work that pays off in the end and the importance of family values. I feel like a very fortunate person each time I watch this emotionally moving story. Well worth seeing.

I absolutely love this movie and never get tired of watching it. I would really love to own it on DVD. Does anybody know of a place where I could find that??

I have not seen this since it was broadcast in 1984 and yet it is a part of me. It burned itself into my soul. If this had not been made for TV it would have won the director and Jane Fonda an Oscar, it is that good. It is about a families struggle to survive . It will inspire you if you are down.

All I can say is if you haven't seen this wonderful film you have missed out. The acting is the best and the story is nothing less than superb. Just be prepared to cry your eyes out. I made an odd comparison to Gone with the wind. Gert is a dear sweet "Scarlett" who'll do what she has to to get back "home".