Product Details

• Actors: Rip Torn, Conchata Ferrell, Barry Primus, Megan Folsom, Lilia Skala
• Directors: Richard Pearce
• Writers: Beth Ferris, Elinore Stewart, William Kittredge
• Producers: Annick Smith, Beth Ferris, Michael Hausman
• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Henstooth Video
• VHS Release Date: November 7, 2000
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004XMST
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,392 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Pleasures of Survival, December 11, 2003

By 

talkytina "talkytina" (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heartland (DVD)

A brilliant and absolutely authentic story about the stark realities of pioneer life in late 1800's Wyoming. "Heartland" is based on a series of letters ("Letters of a Woman Homesteader" by Elinore Pruitt Stewart). The actors are very real, and the story unfolds almost like a documentary. Rip Torn and Conchita Ferrell are superb in mostly just living their everyday lives. However, they perform tasks and "everyday pleasures" considered quite extraordinary by modern standards, especially considering the harsh winter conditions. Excellent photography, and DVD bonus commentary explaining each scene.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rough Truth of the West, February 15, 2006

By 

Mark Newbold (Pittsburg, KS United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heartland (DVD)

One of the most moving experiences in cinema I'd had for years. Superb understated acting. There are elements that are completely lost by several of the other reviewers regarding "Heartland". Victorian Pioneers were a stoic type of people, look up stoicism if need be. They did not wear their emotions on their sleeves as we do today, and whining was nearly unknown. Self reliance was a code of conduct lived each day. One reviewer commented on the lack of "chemistry" between Clyde and Elinor. That is almost a laughable remark- marriages among ranchers even to recent days is often based upon economics and not compatability and romance as such. Clyde and Elinor actually loved one another with a depth that would frighten most moderns, dealing with death, birth, and life- good, bad and indifferent.

One of my favorite lines from the entire film is when Elinor confesses to her female rancher neighbor played by Lila Skala, that she just cannot talk with Clyde. The neighbor replies with all sincerity, "You better learn to before winter sets in."

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Snapshot of the REAL West, October 8, 2005

By 

TwenzUncle (Salem, AR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heartland (DVD)

If you're hooked on the romanticized, idealistic frontier stories that are so common, this ain't for you. But if you want to practically feel the bone-chilling cold, the aching muscles and uncertainty of life on the frontier in the early 1900's, I highly recommend this one. The writing, acting, scenery, direction, even the music, are all fantastic. Of course, I didn't live out West in the early 1900's, but I can't imagine a more realistic, dead-on portrayal of what life was really like for those trying to make a life for themselves in a mostly unsettled territory. One of my all-time favorites.