The Journey of Natty Gann

(1,045)IMDb 7.11 h 40 min1985PG

A brave young girl embarks on a cross-country search for her father.

Directors: Jeremy Kagan

Starring: Meredith Salenger John Cusack Ray Wise

Genres: Adventure Kids

Subtitles: English [CC]

Audio languages: English

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Producers: Mike Lobell

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)

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Format: Prime Video (streaming online video)

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5 star		85%
4 star		9%
3 star		4%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		1%

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Sean

One of the best films ever made by Disney

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2016

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This was an absolutely beautiful film, the sort that Disney will probably never make again. It's unfortunately easy to forget it ever existed because, for one reason or another, it's never broadcast on TV anymore. It's scarcely mentioned in any capacity. When I rediscovered this film, I was overcome with emotions that had been deeply embedded in me from seeing this back in preschool days. If one were to summarize what makes it different from most 21st century children's movies, it would be the sparse dialogue and powerful performances. It allows the audience to think, to be drawn into the time period rather than bombarded with fart jokes and loud-mouthed flat characters.

Why is this film so rarely known today? Is it because Natalie's father is a hard-working, humanized, sympathetic man who also happens to be a union leader? Is it because she and John Cusack's character have a questionable age difference in their tacit (unconsummated) love?
In any case, it's a gritty story about innocence, with beautiful photography and an unforgettable soundtrack by James Horner.
Pick up a copy of this classic, it's chicken soup for the soul!

38 people found this helpful

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Kris Johnson

I remember seeing the trailer for this film in the movie theater when I was little . . .

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2017

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. . . and I was entranced. I wanted to see this movie but as a little boy I was too shy to admit that I wanted to see a movie that was about a girl.

Years passed as they do and the film slipped from my memory before resurfacing last week. I borrowed THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN (1985) along with a host of other movies that I had never gotten around to seeing, movies such as BAMBI (1942).

That was a tear drenched afternoon!

The DVD transfer is grainy and perfectly so. The film flickers like films did when they were projected back in those cozy days. The young protagonist is irresistibly innocent and rugged. John Cusack makes an unwelcome appearance that overcrowds our relationship with the young heroine then, as if aware of his intrusion, has the courtesy to disappear until later. There is an awesome animal sidekick and the everpresent threats of a hostile, untamed world around every corner. There is also at least one scene of mesmerizing cinematic greatness.

I was glad that I saved this one for an afternoon when I had planned to go through the boxes of my childhood possessions in the attic of my parents' house. Any attempt to hold back emotions was obliterated by this film, a film which I now consider to be one of my best friends.

10 people found this helpful

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Meeme

Bad Language from a Disney Movie

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2020

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I grew up around coal miners and loggers and am no stranger to ripe language. But when I buy a film----especially Disney----that is clearly an adventure story for kids----I'd say ages 9 to 15----I expect they wouldn't have the young teen swearing along with all the searing of the men. This is a movie that no or few adults would even watch except on family night with their kids. The action is over-done to appeal to a young level, but the language is completely out of place. Parents, if you're concerned about language issues in your entertainment choices, there's enough in here coming from the young girl that you'll want to reconsider. It's a shame because my kids would have most likely enjoyed it otherwise. There are other films to choose from.

2 people found this helpful

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KeetLover

Love this movie!

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2016

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I grew up watching this movie as a kid. The story stuck with me throughout the years. I would find myself coming back to it when I wanted to watch something memorable from my youth. This story paints a vivid picture of Depression-era America and makes you feel the hopelessness and despair of that time period, but it is also uplifting. The main character has to overcome numerous odds to get to where she needs to be, but she is brave and determined. I especially love her unlikely friendship with the wolf - they are both victims of an ordeal but find each other and end up relying on one another to survive. Great movie!

9 people found this helpful

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EastTexasRider

A great Disney classic movie - moving, beautiful & family friendly Picture !

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2017

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Great family friendly movie here. Well done period drama showing the tender & tough side of life during the depression of the mid 30's....our family enjoyed it in the theater years ago and saw it here. Very much worth adding to our collection for the $10 modest cost.

Has 3 star performances from Ray Wise, young Meredith Salenger & John Cusak.

4 if you count "Jed the Wolf" who in real life was a part Dog / Wolf combo breed - a remarkable & lovingly protective companion to accidentally abandoned Natty, in her cross country quest to reunite with her worried father.

5 people found this helpful

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Robert S.

Crap quality transfer, pan & scan DVD - Tell Disney you want Natty Gann RESTORED!

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2013

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I love this film. It is an unusually forward-looking release from Disney at a time when they were trying to find new audiences. The approach to storytelling and character is strong, the performances are understated. It's not just a solid Disney movie, it's a solid movie, period. One they should be proud of.

So, for the life of me, I can't understand why this film only exists in North America as a pan & scan copy. It's a poor transfer, and the screen ratio HURTS the film, which is full of many wide shots.

Do like I did, use the 'contact us' link at Disneystudioshelp dot com page and send them an email telling them you want a widescreen release, a blu-ray, a full restoration!

If enough like-minded people email them, maybe it'll start an avalanche. Who knows! It might not do any good, but at least you'll feel good letting them know this DVD is crap quality.

16 people found this helpful

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sped teacher

Wonderful movie!

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020

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This is an awesome movie that we watched when our oldest 2 children (now 42) were young. A few months ago, I mentioned it to my younger 2 children (29 & 31) who did not remember ever watching it. So I bought it and they loved it, including my 5 year old granddaughter. This is historical fiction presented in a clean and wholesome storyline.

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Frenchy

Better in widescreen.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2017

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I ordered this edition because it is widescreen. For those who may wonder, this film is not available in a widescreen edition, in the U.S., even though it was a U.S. production. Go figure! It is everything I expected except that this PAL edition is is about 3 minutes shorter than the full screen U.S. NTSC release. This is one of the best "family love, strength, courage" films available. And it comes without all the garbage/baggage that predominates many of today's films. I bought this film on vhs, for my two youngest. They are 40 now and still watch it on occasion, as do I.

3 people found this helpful

P. WILLIAMS

Interesting film with plenty of action.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2019

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When I first saw this film years ago, I fell in love with the 'tomboy' actress Meredith Salanger. I imagine this was one of John Cusack's FIRST films and both of them really steal the acting honours. Natty leaves her guardian and heads North to try to locate her father at a logging site in British Columbia. The journey is endless with many trials and tribulations en route. A good family film.

One person found this helpful

PhillyJQ

A film for everyone

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2014

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I saw "The Journey Of Natty Gann" on TV (16:9) recently and was reminded of just how good this film was when my son & I saw it in the cinema many years (2.35:1 like the DVD).

The actress, Meredith Salenger, was excellent. and a prime example of wasted talent (like "Sundays & Cybele" with Patricia Gozzi). Why Meredith didn't make more than a few films after this, is beyond me. The wolf was, also, excellent! There was talk about give a 'canine Oscar' to the dog in "The Artist" (who had a MUCH easier role to play than this wolf -who received NO such acknowledgement!).

This is a film that everyone can enjoy! The girl & her wolf for children, and the depression era (and it effects on family life -not overly detailed) for adults. Buy it. Enjoy it!

David Price

Utterly Predictable but worth watching

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2018

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Story about a teenage girl accidentally separated from her father and who then sets out to find and rejoin him. It is very well acted by the girl (Meredith Salenger) who plays the daughter. There is absolutely no violence or sex. The story is quite feasible and well portrayed. Although you just know the outcome as soon as the story gets moving it is still well worth your time to wartch it

J. Clyde

Disney should have been ashamed for sticking it to US customers with their terrible Region One. Region 2 is 10000% better.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2014

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For some reason that will forever remain a mystery, Disney released The Journey of Natty Gann in the United States Region One as one of the worst pan and scan DVD transfers I've ever owned. It was heartbreaking to see what may have been the best Disney movies to come out of the 80's be treated so appallingly.

Adding more to the mystery was the fact that the Region 2 UK disc was released in anamorphic widescreen. And make no mistake about it, the difference is amazing. Comparing the two versions, a full forty percent of the picture is missing from the U.S. edition, not to mention that it is blurry and grainy beyond release.

Several years ago it may have been problematic to play this disc in the U.S. because it is Region 2 and PAL format. But I finally took the chance and was able to overcome those restrictions to make the disc playable. It was worth every penny and I would have spent double to own this edition.

Still, the question remains is why Disney continues to ignore this wonderful film which is not only the story about a girl and her wolf, but is an almost perfect essay of life during the depression. Frankly, if they have such little regard for it, Disney should turn the film over to Twilight Time (It has a great score by James Horner) or Criterion. I'm sure there are many people in the U.S. who would love to see this film given the respect it deserves.

3 people found this helpful

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