Product Details

• Actors: Gabrielle Anwar, Michael Schoeffling, Cliff Robertson, Dylan Kussman, Kathleen York
• Directors: Steve Miner
• Writers: Matt Williams, Oley Sassone
• Producers: Matt Williams, Oley Sassone, Robin S. Clark, Sarah Brock
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• VHS Release Date: June 16, 1998
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (157 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302274001
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,620 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This charming Disney live-action picture is a genuine sleeper. It's a variation on the old boy-runs-away-to-join-the-circus story, except this time the boy is a girl. After she joins a traveling show in the 1930s, spunky teen Sonora Webster (Gabrielle Anwar) learns the ropes and eventually lands a plum role in the program: riding a horse off a 40-foot-high diving board into a tank of water. Well, Sonora thinks it's a plum, anyway. Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken has the usual love interest, a brush with tragedy, and some worldly wisdom (the latter doled out by old pro Cliff Robertson, in a nice role as a crusty barnstormer). What makes the movie memorable is the performance of the lovely Gabrielle Anwar, the doe-eyed actress who later danced the tango so memorably with Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman. The movie may be sappy--no surprise with that title--but Anwar provides bright star wattage and a plucky role model. --Robert Horton

Product Description

Rarely has a film inspired and captivated audiences quite like the real-life story of Sonora Webster. As a runaway orphan, Sonora (Gabrielle Anwar) gets a job doing cleanup work for Doc Carver's traveling stunt show. Her biggest wish is to become a star "diving girl," but her youth and inexperience stand in the way. Undaunted, Sonora's gutsy determination finally convinces Doc (Cliff Robertson) to give her a break. Just when she appears on the brink of stardom, however, a twist of fate threatens to destroy her dream. With the help of a loving friend (Michael Schoeffling, MERMAIDS), Sonora faces her biggest challenge yet to prove to herself and the world that WILD HEARTS CAN'T BE BROKEN!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Profile of Courage and Tenacity, September 1, 2002

By 

Reviewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Based on a true story, this film is not only entertaining, but as inspirational as they come; a paean to the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of the kind of adversity that would make most of us simply roll over and quit. It's the story of the kind of challenges life can throw at anyone at random, and then follow up with yet another curve that seemingly takes it beyond the limits of human endurance. It's a film that should be required viewing for anyone who has ever cried out that the world owes them a living, because the message of "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken," directed by Steve Miner, is that "Life" isn't fair, but when the worst happens you have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and get on with it; nobody's going to do it for you. It has something to do with a little thing called "pride," and everything to do with the courage and tenacity it takes for someone to at least try to stand up when even the very hand of Fate seems bent on keeping them down. There's a very definite lesson to be learned from this story; a lesson of which many living in the world today would be well advised to take note.

In 1932, the Great Depression is on, but times are even more trying for teenager Sonora Webster (Gabrielle Anwar), who after losing her parents is taken in by her aunt, only to be told that because of financial difficulties besetting her own family, Sonora must be given over to the state. Undaunted, the head-strong Sonora, even at such a tender age takes it upon herself to set the course of her own life. She packs a bag and runs off to answer an ad placed in the newspaper by a certain Doctor Carver (Cliff Robertson), a showman looking for able young ladies to train as "diving girls" for his show.

As part of a traveling circus, Doctor Carver currently has only one diving girl, Marie (Kathleen York); the act entails diving a horse off a forty foot tower into a pool of water. Carver is skeptical that the young Sonora can do it, but she is adamant and refuses to leave until he gives her a chance. And so he does; Carver hires her, but as a stable hand. What he doesn't know is that he's just hired a girl who refuses to give up on something once she's set her mind to it, and when Sonora takes the job, it puts a hay fork in her hand, but her determined eye is on a horse, as well as that forty foot tower looming above that pool of water, beckoning to her, even as a dream borne on the wings of desire. And in her heart, Sonora knows that it won't be long before she's up there, herself. Up on the top of the world.

Working from a screenplay by Matt Williams and Oley Sassone, Miner delivers a poignant film that works at the heart strings, but at the same time circumvents any undo sentimentality. In light of the tragedy that befalls Sonora, this film could easily have played on sympathy and portrayed her as a victim of happenstance. But to be known as a victim would have been the last thing in the world the real Sonora Webster would have wanted; indeed, she took the lemons life handed her and made the proverbial lemonade, refusing to be a "victim" in any sense of the word. And that is the Sonora that Miner presents here, as he emphasizes the positive aspects of her life and what she accomplished, rather than dwelling upon the negative. It's a story of pluck and determination, the message of which is delivered in a straightforward manner by Miner, without resorting to any superfluous action or melodrama to sell it. This is a story that the filmmakers were wise enough to recognize would stand on it's own, without any attempt at dramatic enhancement. They have taken some license as far as certain dates and specific lengths of time involved, and certain elements are compacted in order to move the story along; but the important thing is, the essential elements of Sonora's life and her incredible achievements are portrayed accurately.

Young Gabrielle Anwar gives a performance in which she perfectly captures Sonora's spirit and the stubbornness that refused to allow her to give in to any and all of the obstacles life put in her path. Through Anwar's portrayal, we see a girl who overcomes the most heartbreaking situations by always looking forward; a true individual who always sees the glass as half full rather than half empty, and it's Anwar who makes that vital connection with the audience happen. It's a solid performance, worthy of the character she so ably brings to the screen.

Cliff Robertson gives a memorable performance, as well, as Doctor Carver. He affects an outwardly ostentatious look and attitude that marks him as a true showman-- he looks like Buffalo Bill in full regalia-- but he indicates an individual of some complexity residing beneath it all. And there is a reserve to his performance that contradicts his appearance and effectively points up that intricacy of his nature. Most importantly, Robertson is convincing, and it makes the flamboyant Doctor Carver very real.

The one weakness of the film is in the performance of Michael Schoeffling as Al, Doctor Carver's son. He has the chiseled features of a GQ model, and though his portrayal is passable, it lacks the depth that would've made it a bit more believable. He comes across as something of a "wooden" Matt Dillon, and while his performance does not necessarily detract from the film, neither does it add anything. It's a minor consideration, though, that "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken" manages to transcend quite effectively. In the end, this film is a thoroughly satisfying and emotional experience.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken", January 19, 2002

By 

Gregory Allen (Tigard , OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A great movie for horse-lovers of all ages. The main character, Sonora endures a number of life changing events that to the average person may seem exceptionally dramatic and difficult to overcome. Her strong will to have her dream even when it seemed impossible shows a great example to us all! Vic- tory only comes to those of us who are always willing to try one more time. Overall this video shows us good moral examples. There is no sex or violence to speak of. This is also a true story. It shows our children to have dreams and go after them. Have integrity, faith, hope, love through the bad times as well as the good. Above all, if you want something out of life be willing to work hard for it. Don't let someone else steal your dream!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a Great Movie, March 2, 2004

By 

S. Mitchell "samintx" (Tyler, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Call me sentimental. Call me a pushover for kids and animals but this is a great movie I just happened to stumble on.

Parents: Run don't walk and buy this for the family. Disney did it again. Heartwarming tale of an orphan girl makes good. She makes good in the public eye but also, and the important lesson from the story, makes good overcoming terrible odds.

I am surprised there have not been hundreds of reviews of this movie. Absorbing for adults and children. Good lessons to be learned. An hour and a half well spent.

Buy it!