Customer Reviews

Lantern Hill [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you enjoy, the Anne of Green Gables Trilogy, you will wanna buy this hard to find dvd. This film was produced by the same people as Anne, written by the same author and shown here originally on PBS' Wonderworks and then The Disney Channel. Mairon Bennett plays Jane Stuart who has been living a sheltered life with her Grandmother and mother when her father "allegedly" died. When she learns he is still alive, she does everything she can with the help of a mystic (Colleen Dewhurst of Anne of Green Gables 1 and 2 fame) to reunite her family. Sam Waterston (The Great Gatsby [1974] and Law and Order (1994 to the present) is great as her long last father, and future star of the Road to Avonlea (just Avonlea here) Sarah Polley stars as a young tramplike jill of all trades named Jody who helps Jane in her quest. This is enjoyable piece of work that you may have to order from the manufacturer themselves (Sullivan Boutique: the online home of all Kevin Sullivan films) but I was lucky to get it in the mail from an Amazon "client" today. If you own the Annes, the Avonlea Series, or any of Kevin Sullivan's stuff on dvd, order it now before it gets away.

I was always rather surprised that when Kevin Sullivan decided to turn to another Lucy Maud Montgomery novel after doing the first four Anne of Green Gables novels in a couple of celebrated mini-series he turned to "Jane of Lantern Hill." I would have thought the "Emily of New Moon" trilogy would come up next (it is currently a Canadian television series) and would not have minded seeing "Magic for Marigold" adapted, but Sullivan selected "Jane of Lantern Hill" instead.

Montgomery's novel is distinct from all of the others because both of the heroine's parents are still living. However, Jane Stuart is an emotional orphan because her overbearing maternal grandmother (Zoe Caldwell) has psychologically battered Jane's mother, Robin (Patricia Phillips) into submission and the family has led Jane to believe her father is dead. However, Andrew Stuart (Sam Waterston) is not only alive, he is insisting on his parental rights and wants Jane sent to him on Prince Edward Island. Despite the chasm between them, father and daughter quickly bond, and Jane begins to question why her parents having been living apart. Meanwhile, Jane becomes involved with the spunky young vagrant, Jody Turner (Sarah Polley), and old Hepzibah (Colleen Dewhurst), the local "witch" lady.

The adaptation of Montgomery's novel by Fiona McHugh holds true to the emotional center of the story while collapsing the narrative's period of time and jettisoning most of the domesticity as well. Unfortunately this means that one of my favorite scenes from the novel, where Jane finally gets in the face of Grandmother Kennedy, is lost. The performances in the production are so wonderfully understated except for Polley, who pours it on thick with the accent, although Dewhurst does get to ham it up a little bit at Hepzibah. Bennett gives a quiet performance that speaks to the fragility of Jane's relationship with her family while Waterston exhibits a simple, natural charm from start to finish with his estranged daughter that cannot help but win her over. In the end, it is Jane's simple determination to set her world in order that brings all the plot threads together in a satisfactory conclusion. Fans of Montgomery and/or Sullivan will not be disappointed by this quiet little film.

Note: Young Mairon Bennett did the audiotape version of "Jane of Lantern Hill" and did an exceptional job. Given how restrained her performance necessarily was in the film to suit Jane's character, Bennett shows marvelous interpretative range for someone who, at the time, was so young. If you enjoyed the television movie and stumble across the audiotape, then make a point of picking it up so you can give it a listen.

I loved this movie. The combination of misunderstandings through unspoken feelings between a husband and wife, plus the interference of relatives of each of them, and the longing of a young daughter to bring her parents together, all make for a need-a-hankie-near-by story. A sweet and satisfying ending wraps up the story just fine. I love stories that stir the emotions, especially romantic ones. Don't want to give away any plot lines; this movie is one we'll watch several times. The main reason we bought this video was because it starred Sam Waterston. He's excellent in caring and nurturing roles. You just feel he's probably as likeable and loving a family man in his personal life as he portrays in this movie.

I was always rather surprised that when Kevin Sullivan decided to turn to another Lucy Maud Montgomery novel after doing the first four Anne of Green Gables novels in a couple of celebrated mini-series he turned to "Jane of Lantern Hill." I would have thought the "Emily of New Moon" trilogy would come up next (it is currently a Canadian television series) and would not have minded seeing "Magic for Marigold" adapted, but Sullivan selected "Jane of Lantern Hill" instead.

Montgomery's novel is distinct from all of the others because both of the heroine's parents are still living. However, Jane Stuart is an emotional orphan because her overbearing maternal grandmother (Zoe Caldwell) has psychologically battered Jane's mother, Robin (Patricia Phillips) into submission and the family has led Jane to believe her father is dead. However, Andrew Stuart (Sam Waterston) is not only alive, he is insisting on his parental rights and wants Jane sent to him on Prince Edward Island. Despite the chasm between them, father and daughter quickly bond, and Jane begins to question why her parents having been living apart. Meanwhile, Jane becomes involved with the spunky young vagrant, Jody Turner (Sarah Polley), and old Hepzibah (Colleen Dewhurst), the local "witch" lady.

The adaptation of Montgomery's novel by Fiona McHugh holds true to the emotional center of the story while collapsing the narrative's period of time and jettisoning most of the domesticity as well. Unfortunately this means that one of my favorite scenes from the novel, where Jane finally gets in the face of Grandmother Kennedy, is lost. The performances in the production are so wonderfully understated except for Polley, who pours it on thick with the accent, although Dewhurst does get to ham it up a little bit at Hepzibah. Bennett gives a quiet performance that speaks to the fragility of Jane's relationship with her family while Waterston exhibits a simple, natural charm from start to finish with his estranged daughter that cannot help but win her over. In the end, it is Jane's simple determination to set her world in order that brings all the plot threads together in a satisfactory conclusion. Fans of Montgomery and/or Sullivan will not be disappointed by this quiet little film.

Note: Young Mairon Bennett did the audiotape version of "Jane of Lantern Hill" and did an exceptional job. Given how restrained her performance necessarily was in the film to suit Jane's character, Bennett shows marvelous interpretative range for someone who, at the time, was so young. If you enjoyed the television movie and stumble across the audiotape, then make a point of picking it up so you can give it a listen.

This movie is now available on a Canadian DVD release at www.sullivanboutique.com and the DVD includes an insightful short behind the scenes film featuring Colleen Dewhurst and Sam Waterston -- a real treat.

Hopefully the DVD will be made available through amazon.com soon so more people will know about it.

I saw (Jane of) Lantern Hill on PBS many years ago and fell in love with it instantly. The scenery is gorgeous and the actors perform beautifully! It is a film for the whole family, including college-age kids. I know because I am one.

I remember watching this movie when I was about 10 and I haven't seen it in a long time but I still, at times, think about this movie. The storyline is great and the way Mr. Sullivan does this is very captivating and will touch your heart.

I have shared this with many college stidemts where I work, and am not ashamed to show it to anyone. The little (both little girls) did a superb job. The scene where dad & mom finally get back together move me to tears every time I see it. The scene is beautiful at PEI.

This is an excellent movie because of [mairon bennett] she carries the movie on her shoulders and this should have lead to bigger movie roles and if i was a producer it would have.

This movie came out when i was 12 and it was my favorite movie of all time. Even today it is still hard to top. It takes me back to my childhood.