Customer Reviews

Stars Fell on Henrietta [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This review refers to "The Stars Fell On Henrietta"...

Fans of Robert Duvall, if you havn't seen this one yet, you've got a real treat in store for you. Duvall will steal your heart and soul in this drama about the early "wildcatting days" of the oil industry.

Duvall is simply, "Mr Cox". An aging wildcatter, who can feel and smell the oil that has yet to be discovered, during this time of the boom. But yet, with all this intuitive knowledge of where there's oil to be found, he remains, a down on his luck, drifter. Hitching a ride, he's headed for California, to try his luck. When the car stops in the little town of Henrietta for gas, Mr. Cox decides to stay behind. He KNOWS there's oil here. He can smell it, he can feel it and he's gonna find it!

When he lands on the failing farm of Don Day and family, he tries to convince them to drill for oil on their property. Their money, his "expertise". But who would believe or risk their life savings this drifter, this hobo. Dejected, he doesn't give up and goes to great lengths to raise the money himself, not always in the most legal like fashion. Never the less, you will find yourself rooting for him from start to finish.

It's a wonderful story of going after your dreams. I know some have mentioned it's a family film and it is, as long as parents of younger children watch it together and remind them that going against the law is not the way to attain your dreams.

Duvall is mesmerizing as the low key but intense Mr. Cox. You just want to see that oil shoot up out of the well for him. The rest of the cast add their marvelous talents as well. Aidan Quinn, Frances Fisher, and Brian Dennehy co-star, and be sure to look for Billy Bob Thornton and Park Overall. Also a great big nod to Matilda the cat who kept right up there with her famous co-stars. An endearing story, beautifully photographed and an exceptional cast, all directed by James Keach. You may notice it is a "Malpaso" production. Yup..an Eastwood produced film(he always has a knack for surrounding himself with the finest talent, even when he isn't in the film!).

I was set to go 4 stars on this film, thinking of other Duvall films, I would go 5 stars with(e.g. "The Godfather"), but the more I wrote about it, the more I remembered what a feel good film this was, so 5 stars, for one that I will view many times.

So Warner Bros!..Where is the DVD for this endearing film?!

Enjoy...Laurie

Fans of Robert Duvall, if you havn't seen this one yet, you've got a real treat in store for you. Duvall will steal your heart and soul in this drama about the early "wildcatting days" of the oil industry.

Duvall is simply, "Mr Cox". An aging wildcatter, who can feel and smell the oil that has yet to be discovered, during this time of the boom. But yet, with all this intuitive knowledge of where there's oil to be found, he remains, a down on his luck, drifter. Hitching a ride, he's headed for California, to try his luck. When the car stops in the little town of Henrietta for gas, Mr. Cox decides to stay behind. He KNOWS there's oil here. He can smell it, he can feel it and he's gonna find it!

When he lands on the failing farm of Don Day and family, he tries to convince them to drill for oil on their property. Their money, his "expertise". But who would believe or risk their life savings this drifter, this hobo. Dejected, he doesn't give up and goes to great lengths to raise the money himself, not always in the most legal like fashion. Never the less, you will find yourself rooting for him from start to finish.

It's a wonderful story of going after your dreams. Basically a family film(rated PG) and it is, as long as parents of younger children watch it together and remind them that going against the law is not the way to attain your dreams.

Duvall is mesmerizing as the low key but intense Mr. Cox. You just want to see that oil shoot up out of the well for him. The rest of the cast add their marvelous talents as well. Aidan Quinn, Frances Fisher, and Brian Dennehy co-star, and be sure to look for Billy Bob Thornton and Park Overall. Also a great big nod to Matilda the cat who kept right up there with her famous co-stars. An endearing story, beautifully photographed and an exceptional cast, all directed by James Keach. You may notice it is a "Malpaso" production. Yup..an Eastwood produced film(he always has a knack for surrounding himself with the finest talent, even when he isn't in the film!).

I was set to go 4 stars on this film, thinking of other Duvall films, I would go 5 stars with(e.g. "The Godfather"), but the more I wrote about it, the more I remembered what a feel good film this was, so 5 stars, for one that I will view many times.

So I was excited when I saw there was finally a DVD of this film, only let down to find this was a DVD-R - a print on demand that is only sold by outide sellers at at a ridiculous price. If i wanted that I could copy it myself from Turner Classics or the VHS edition - Come On Warner Brosthers, we are talkin Robert Duvall here; in a not exactly ancient film, what's the problem? - PUHLEEESE a qualtiy DVD soon.

Here is a VHS edition:The Stars Fell on Henrietta with a fairly reasonable price from outside sellers at this time.

Enjoy....Laurie

What a beautiful film. I am so glad I stumbled upon this hidden gem. Superb!
Set in the "boom and bust" oil era of the mid 40's. The scenes and scenery are spot-on.

Robert Duvall truly shines as does Aidan Quinn in this wonderful story which centers on the unquenchable optimism of a "down but not out" Wildcatter (Duvall) who believes the ground upon which the story is set is filled with gold.

A stellar cast includes Brian Dennehy and Billy Bob Thornton in an early performance.

This has everything you want in a movie experience. Brought to life with deft hands by the production company of Clint Eastwood.
It's all here, great story, great characters, everything that lovers of great cinema yearn for, in abundance. It is definitely an "owner" and something you will want to watch again.

This may be a "print on demand" DVD (according to WB), but I would have bought it bootlegged from China if I'd had to.

-Easily joins my list of top 50 all time favorites-

I can finally get rid of the vcr! This is an absolutely heart-warming,life educating movie for all Robert Duvall fans! I paid over $50 a few years ago to purchase a "used" vhs copy when I accidentally ran across it and remembered seeing it years prior. Thank you "WB"! Set in the 1930's, this is a simple film about hard-luck and poverty in a time when the rich got wealthier and the poor lost more and more materialistically. A time when it was "every man for himself".....for most. Robert Duvall keeps you on the edge of your seat thru out the entire movie. He is "an oil-man" with only the tattered, worn suit on his back, not greedy, lives "simply" out of a suitcase and vagabonds with his faithful cat, "Mathilda" in search of oil. He will do what ever necessary to get by including doing the jobs only African-Americans were limited to with no shame or judgement on himself or others. This movie starts "simple" and ends just as "simple" but hands the viewer a very strong moral and continous hope and strength to never give-up on your dreams no matter your failures and outcomes thruout your lifetime. "Hitch your wagon to a star".....
This movie The Stars Fell on Henrietta and my other most favorite and inspiring movie of all time, The Education of Little Tree go hand-in-hand and in my opinion are absolute musts for your dvd library!

I've worked in oil and gas exploration for 30 years, I've watched this movie at least 30 times, it is my favorite movie by far. I have friends in the oil and gas business over to watch it and have loaned it out a bunch of times too. You ever hear the term "doodle-bugger"? If your answer is yes, then you've got to see this movie. By far the greatest movie ever, very educational for all, sceens from the early oil days are awesome! Surprise ending will keep you coming back.

Well, I've seen this fairly-unknown film three times now and perhaps that's enough, but I'm sorry that in 2009 it is still not out on DVD. It deserves being seen on disc and discovered. Why this is so "unkonwn," I don't know.

Robert Duvall, who almost never gives a bad performance, is excellent in here, too, as the ever-optimistic "Mr. Cox." He's a self-described oil man but in truth has never done anything noteworthy in the business. However, after finding himself in a small Texas town called "Henrietta," (which really exists) he thinks this one residence has a lot of oil on its property. The tough part is trying to convince the literally-poor landowner (Aiden Quinn) that he should invest $5,000 on a well.

All kinds of obstacles ensue - an non-supporting wife (Frances Fisher), an antagonistic and hot-tempered villain who runs things in the area (Brian Dennehy) and just plain bad luck.

Duvall and his pet cat who sticks by him like glue throughout much of the film, keeps this story together.

If you like a good drama and appreciate Duvall's talents, you should like this.

This was one of the best family movies i have seen in a long time. I have a special bond to this movie, it was shot about 20 miles from my home in Texas. But most of all My Uncle Kenneth whom just passes away on Christmas Day played Dr. Simon ( which was my Grandfather's name in real real life) and my good friend played a waitress. So I have a great interest in a special family movie. I will watch it over and over.

I saw this on TV. This movie needs ta come out on dvd, it's awesome. If ya like Robert DuVall, you'll love the movie. I hope Amazon will contact me soon as it's out on dvd. Thanks, Rich!!!

I tracked down an old VHS tape through aLibris after reading these reviews (when is the DVD coming out?), and the effort was worth it. This is one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time, and I have watched it several times already. This film shows a vintage piece of Americana, and says something about the indomitable human spirit, especially the American frontier spirit, where capitalism meets Wild West mentality.

As others have said, Robert Duvall is terrific in the character role of Mr. Cox, submerging himself in the role. But for me, the most moving role and acting were those of Aidan Quinn, as the beaten-down scorned dirt farmer, Don Day, who still has the soul of a dreamer. Day and Cox are kindred spirits, but Quinn's character never loses his integrity and gentleness - Quinn is so good at portraying strength and tenderness in the same character. He looks like someone straight out of one of those old WPA Depression photos. The story of what happens to Cox and the Day family on their failing farm is emotionally satisfying.

The settings are wonderfully specific to the time and place. My husband, a 5th-generation farmer, related strongly to the story, and loved seeing the old tractors, pickups, and automobiles.

You and your whole family will love this movie, and it would be a great film for history classes studying the Depression. Highly recommended.

This review refers to "The Stars Fell On Henrietta"...

Fans of Robert Duvall, if you havn't seen this one yet, you've got a real treat in store for you. Duvall will steal your heart and soul in this drama about the early "wildcatting days" of the oil industry.

Duvall is simply, "Mr Cox". An aging wildcatter, who can feel and smell the oil that has yet to be discovered, during this time of the boom. But yet, with all this intuitive knowledge of where there's oil to be found, he remains, a down on his luck, drifter. Hitching a ride, he's headed for California, to try his luck. When the car stops in the little town of Henrietta for gas, Mr. Cox decides to stay behind. He KNOWS there's oil here. He can smell it, he can feel it and he's gonna find it!

When he lands on the failing farm of Don Day and family, he tries to convince them to drill for oil on their property. Their money, his "expertise". But who would believe or risk their life savings this drifter, this hobo. Dejected, he doesn't give up and goes to great lengths to raise the money himself, not always in the most legal like fashion. Never the less, you will find yourself rooting for him from start to finish.

It's a wonderful story of going after your dreams. Basically a family film(rated PG) and it is, as long as parents of younger children watch it together and remind them that going against the law is not the way to attain your dreams.

Duvall is mesmerizing as the low key but intense Mr. Cox. You just want to see that oil shoot up out of the well for him. The rest of the cast add their marvelous talents as well. Aidan Quinn, Frances Fisher, and Brian Dennehy co-star, and be sure to look for Billy Bob Thornton and Park Overall. Also a great big nod to Matilda the cat who kept right up there with her famous co-stars. An endearing story, beautifully photographed and an exceptional cast, all directed by James Keach. You may notice it is a "Malpaso" production. Yup..an Eastwood produced film(he always has a knack for surrounding himself with the finest talent, even when he isn't in the film!).

I was set to go 4 stars on this film, thinking of other Duvall films, I would go 5 stars with(e.g. "The Godfather"), but the more I wrote about it, the more I remembered what a feel good film this was, so 5 stars, for one that I will view many times.

So Warner Bros!..Where is the DVD for this endearing film?!

Enjoy...Laurie