Product Details

• Actors: Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman
• Directors: Mark Rydell
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Live / Artisan
• DVD Release Date: May 20, 1998
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (129 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0784011648
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,024 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "On Golden Pond" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Writer Ernest Thompson, who came up with the original stage play of On Golden Pond and adapted it for film, is lucky to have two giants of the screen give dignity and breadth to his sometimes trite dialogue. Henry Fonda, in his last role, plays a prickly English professor at the disagreeable age of 80. Visiting his summer house by a Maine lake with his wife (Katharine Hepburn), the old man forges an unlikely bond with a lonely boy, comes to terms with his daughter (Jane Fonda), and suffers disorienting effects of mild dementia. Even playing a tired old man, Fonda is an absolute lion of a movie star, and Hepburn brings her special spirit to the part of his worried bride. The onscreen relationship between Henry and Jane Fonda naturally makes one think about their much-discussed difficulties offscreen, but that's a side benefit in a movie that is really just a celebration of simple human decency. Directed by Mark Rydell (Harry and Walter Go to New York). --Tom Keogh

Amazon.com

Writer Ernest Thompson, who came up with the original stageplay of On Golden Pond and adapted it for film, is lucky to have two giants of the screen give dignity and breadth to his sometimes trite dialogue. Henry Fonda, in his last role, plays a prickly English professor at the disagreeable age of 80. Visiting his summer house by a Maine lake with his wife (Katharine Hepburn), the old man forges an unlikely bond with a lonely boy, comes to terms with his daughter (Jane Fonda), and suffers disorienting effects of mild dementia. Even playing a tired old man, Fonda is an absolute lion of a movie star, and Hepburn brings her special spirit to the part of his worried bride. The onscreen relationship between Henry and Jane Fonda naturally makes one think about their much-discussed difficulties offscreen, but that's a side benefit in a movie that is really just a celebration of simple human decency. Directed by Mark Rydell (Harry and Walter Go to New York). --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Golden Treasure, November 8, 2002

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: On Golden Pond [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This review refers to the VHS edition .....
Old age and all the problems that go with it, have turned Norman Thayer(Henry Fonda)into a curmudgeon.He is forgetful and thoughts of dieing are foremost in his mind. It doesn't seem to bother his wife Ethel much though(Katherine Hepburn).Always in high spirits and happy to be alive. Her biggest woe is worrying about him. The Thayers are spending their 48th year at their summer home On Golden Pond. It will be Norman's 80th birthday, and joining in the celebration will be their daughter Chelsea(Jane Fonda), who Norman has never been able to connect with emotionally.
Chelsea brings with her to the lake her fiance(Dabney Coleman) and his 13 year old son Billy(Doug McKeon)who has some emotional problems of his own. Billy is left to spend the summer with the older couple, which was not what the 13 year old had in mind for a fun vacation.Norman and Billy form an unusal bond over the summer as Ethel watches her husband's renewed zest for life.
The film is one of those that the expression "I laughed. I cried" really is true. The story is an emotional rollercoaster, that you'll want to watch over and over.Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn shine and both recieved best Acting awards in 1981 for their on screen magic. All I could see in the scenes with Henry and Jane together was love. Even when their characters were at odds they too loved each other, and managed to work through it.An incredible acting job by the young Doug McKeon, and Coleman excellent as he goes toe to toe with Henry Fonda.
The music and the scenery are as beautiful as the movie. The pond with the sun shining, the woodsy areas, the loons ever present, were a joy to watch. Directed by Mark Rydell, who seemed to find the beauty of life. Fonda's last film, he left us with one that we can treasure for years to come.
Kick back and enjoy.........Laurie

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant and Magnificent, August 26, 2000

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Golden Pond (Widescreen Edition) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've seen On Golden Pond at least thirty times since its release and never get tired of it. Henry Fonda is brilliant as the crabby Norman Thayer and he shines in his last screen performance. His interplay with Katharine Hepburn reminds one of the rare chemistry she enjoyed with Spencer Tracy in all the magical movies they made together. Everything Fonda says in this movie is real and believable, you'll never catch him overacting or playing one false note. It would be difficult to imagine anyone else in this role.

Fonda's scenes with daughter Jane are particularly moving considering their strained real life relationship. Their last embrace at the conclusion of the film will tug at your heart strings. It's a poignant and wistful look at growing old and facing death, two unpleasant but unavoidable subjects. Fonda and Hepburn are literally perfect in this film, which is also enhanced by a beautiful, haunting soundtrack. This is a film you can watch again and again and never weary of it.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hank and Kate make it Golden, January 15, 2006

By 

Movie Mania "DVD Collector" (Southern Calfornia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: On Golden Pond (Special Edition) (DVD)

On Golden Pond was Henry Fonda's last film, Katherine Hepburn's final starring film role and the only film with Henry and Jane Fonda. Just for this it's a must have DVD. Add to this Ernest Thompson's brilliant adaptation of his Broadway smash.

Norman and Ethel Thayer (Hank and Kate) are at the end of their lives (Great line: Ethel: "I met this nice middle age couple just like us." Norman: "Ethel we're not middle aged. Middle aged refers to the middle third of your life. You're old, I'm ancient."). They are spending their summer at their cabin. When their daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda) arrives for a visit with her new boyfriend (Dabney Coleman), she springs a surprise on them. She wants Norman and Ethel to take care of Bill, jr. while she and Bill, sr. go to Europe.

At first, things don't go well but Norman bonds with Billy and Billy gives Norman a new focus on life. When Chelsea returns, it's time for her and Norman to mend fences.

This is a fine film that examines relationships at the end of life and mending the broken fences. Many say that Fonda won the Oscar for "Lifetime Achievement" but this is a brilliant performance. Hepburn was a perfect match for Fonda and after six decades, she proved why she is considered the greatest actress of all time. You can tell that this was a film of love for Jane as she absorbs every line and every scene.

This is one of the great films of the 80's.

DVD EXTRAS:
Reflections on Golden Pond - A 30 minute feature on the making of the film and principally on cinematographer Billy Williams. A very good documentary.

Katherine Hepburn Remembered - A 16 minute tribute to the great actress made shortly after her death for this DVD release.

Commentary Tract by Oscar winner Ernest Thompson

Archival Commentary Tract by Director Mark Rydell