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71 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Novel, Disappointing Movie, July 28, 2001
The novel MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN by Jean Craighead-George is outstanding. The 1969 movie based on the book is not nearly as a good. The movie strays away from the story entirely too much. I really don't see the reason why the movie does this either. The novel would have made the perfect screenplay. The worst change of all is the death of Sam Gribley's falcon, Frightful, by a hunter in the middle of the film. Another big change is the addition of a pet raccoon named Gus, which also was not in the book. The ending was a yet another disappointing change. There were at least 25 other differences that I spotted between the book and the movie too. As a teacher I still use this movie after my students have read the novel. However, I use it to prove my point that the novel is usually better then the movie. I also have my students try to find as many differences between the two as they can. I think that an updated version of this movie, that follows the writing of Jean Craighead-George, would be big a big hit today. If you never read the novel then the movie is fairly good. It does remind you of the old Sunday night Disney movie that use to be on television. If you have read the book, then it is disappointing.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wild Boy Lives in Mountains on Nuts and Venison, January 17, 1999
As a fifth grade teacher who shows this movie to my class AFTER they read the novel, I find that they prefer the book. Why? There is more detail in the book, and they don't appreciate the unrealistic scene with Frightful in the middle. However, the movie does serve a valuable purpose, which is why I show it each year. We get to meet the majestic Frightful, hear her shrill cry, appreciate her soaring beauty. It's also interesting to see the inside of Sam's tree, and to have a real face put to Bando. But, for the true experience, the book by Jean Craighead George MUST be read!!
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A timeless classic!, June 19, 2000
I saw this movie over 20 yrs ago. My wife recently purchased the video from Amazon.com and this movie was loved by my whole family. It doesn't get much better than this and the movie reminds me some of the old Walt Disney shows several years ago on sunday nights when i was a kid. Of course, i still think movies are no comparison to Books, but if you just look at movies then this movie can't be beat. The boy goes to the mountains to live off the land, learn about nature and conduct his experiments and learn about himself. It's wonderful!
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