Product Details

• Actors: Jeanne Tripplehorn, Arliss Howard, Leo Burmester, Daro Latiolais, Ray McKinnon
• Directors: John Kent Harrison
• Writers: Horton Foote, William Faulkner
• Producers: Brent Shields, Cleve Landsberg, Lee Caplin, Richard Welsh
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hallmark
• VHS Release Date: April 20, 1999
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1574924303
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,681 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In this Horton Foote (Tender Mercies) adaptation of the William Faulkner short story, an honorable prisoner put to work by the Red Cross rescues a pregnant woman grasping a tree just feet above the turbulent waters of the 1927 Mississippi flood. Having never manned a boat before and wildly off course, the convict (Arliss Howard, Full Metal Jacket) manages to convey Addie (Jeanne Tripplehorn, The Firm) in what amounts to a rowboat to New Orleans and then back home, while she gives birth and recovers on board their vessel. Along the way the pair manages to befriend Cajuns, conquer crocodiles, and fall quietly in love. This Hallmark Hall of Fame production directed by John Kent Harrison is suspenseful, moving, and, while leisurely paced, ultimately quite rewarding. Its lack of sexual content, violence (except to a few of the aforementioned crocs), or rough talk make it excellent family fare. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Performances/Great story!, April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Old Man [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Arliss Howard and Jean Tripplehorn, two of America's greatest, but little known acting talents shine brightly in this quiet, intelligent film. It gets its Southern setting just right, with plenty of story, suspense and heart. Best of all is Howard's nearly wordless protrayal of a convict who has a profound sense of honor and loyalty. For fans of Les Miserables, Cool Hand Luke, Horton Foote and Shawshank Redemption. The best HHF produced yet! Highly recommended!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tough and Sensitive a Great story meanders Ole Miss., February 28, 2002

By 

"t-man-o" (Ottawa Can.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Man [VHS] (VHS Tape)

What do you get when you have a great story terrific acting and a director who nows about pacing .Well you get a great movie that will stay with you for years. Beatifully filmed this movie has everything . It is fable like and the pace is similar to listening to a great folk tune or folk story . It is just right. It really captures your attention and subsequently you care for these characters. Arliss Howards strong quiet lead and country looks pull this film above chick-flic status.
I feel Old Man is a companion piece to the Cohen brothers "O Brother where art Thou". See them both as a twinbill !

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A flood of emotion, March 10, 2004

By 

Darleen Donaghy (Kokomo, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Man [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the best of Hallmark. It's a story of a convict in the 20's in a Mississippi prison. The rains came and he was sent on a mission. Every time you thought things were going to get better, they got worse. This is a tale of two strangers caught in a situation beyond their control, and find the trust and faith that had been lost in their lives. Arliss Howard and Jeanne Tripplehorn were excellent and very true in their portrayals.