Customer Reviews

Silence of the North [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the reviewers is correct in that "John Heard" is NOT in Silence of the North, but incorrect on the name "John Pinsent". The actors name is "Gordon Pinsent" who plays "John Frederickson", who rescues Walter and Olive (changed her name from "Alta") Reamer and their baby daughter from certain death in the frozen wilderness, and, who Olive eventually marries after Walter drownes while heading back into the deep Northwest, alone. Also, contrary to what some other reviewers are saying, the film is NOT set in Alaska or British Columbia, and has nothing to do with the "Gold Rush". It takes place in Northern Alberta, Canada (Peace River), and subsequently deep into the Northwest Territories where "fur trapper" Walter Reamer (Tom Skerritt) roams and dreams of becoming wealthy from the pelts of beaver and muskrat, as he assures Olive that "It's better than gold". The theme song is "Comes A Time", written by Neil Young and sung by Lacy J.Dalton. Rest assured that this posting comes to you, as in the words of John Frederickson, "Without a word of a lie".

This movie was based on a memoir by Olive Fredrickson, a woman who lived through the depicted story and much more. She wrote the book when she was an Elder. Raised her children alone in the North woods after her husband was killed. A terrific story, the movie was almost superficial compared to it, but, well done.

Fantastic moveie, Tom Skerrit as a younger man, and Ellen Burstyn give wonderful acting. The song and soundtrack are wonderful, featuring a beautiful song called "Come The Time"
Terrific photography of the Peace River District in B.C.

I was thrilled to find this movie I was looking for over a long period of time. I was a little disappointed it was VHS not DVD but hey, at least I got to see it again after all these years !!

This film is based on the book of the same name by Olive Frederickson about her experiences as a young woman in the remote wilderness of northwest Canada with her "roamer-dreamer" husband and the tremendous challenges and traumas they face in a fierce environment. Olive's story continues through various life changes which she faces with courage and independence and grit. This is an intense, captivating story of love, persistence, courage and adventure and one that families with children of, perhaps, middle-school age and up could watch together.

Another reviewer says that John Heard is in this movie, but he is not. The main characters are played by Ellen Burstyn, Tom Skeritt and John Pinsent (who is now well known for his recurring role in The Red-Green Show).

I had searched in vain for years and years - since seeing this film in the theater when it came out - for this as a rental or for sale. Early versions were about $75.00! It is a marvelous story and well worth seeing and then watching over again.

This movie is excellent!!! I don't understand why it was never released on DVD.

This movie is a must see for all those who think that they can get rich quick. It is also an excellent movie with Ellen Burstyn giving a great performance. I first saw it on HBO, but have not seen it anywhere else. I had to include it in my collection. I thought that what Olive went through was a horrible experience and was in awe that she survived at all.

It was good to see favorite stars when they were younger and see why they were stars. Good acting by most adults but I thought the daughters were a little stiff. Olive, Ellen Burstyn, was a sensitive but adventurous woman who defied her father to marry a dreamer and wanderer Walter Reamer, Tom Skerrit, who was stricken with wanderlust. Her story is similar to many of the pioneer women in Canada and in the U.S. from colonial days to the old west, who braved all kinds of hardships to make a living away from civilization. I would reccomend this to families with children to share with them that we haven't always lived in comfortable homes and it took sacrifice to make it this way. This review is based on a used VHS purchased from a thrift store.

I believe this is the movie set in Alaska - quite an adventure. Was happy to see it available and the review by Deanna. Am sure it is the same movie.. so I purchased it, and looking forward to seeing it again. Very intriguing and most enjoyable.. have been looking for it for years! Tom Skerrit is great in this!

A captivating movie which features two people trying to make a living in the early days of the frontier. One man's dreams and a womans need to believe in the one she loves, makes this an intriguing and soul-stirring movie. The hardships they have to overcome and the constant nomadic lifestyle they lead, gives the viewer something to identify with in this forever changing world of ups and downs. Adequately named, this movie "Silence of the North", gives us an insight to what the early settlers had to go through and how they survived and overcame the obstacles that was presented before them. Definitely a 5 star movie.