Family Drama in Florida's Scrublands
Added 9/10/2009
First of all, this is a 1946 film, so young viewers used to contemporary quick video-style scene cuts and an emphasis on action over character may not have the patience to sit through this lyrical story.
The author of the book, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, grew up in the Florida Everglades, and the film's director, Clarence Brown, depicts beautifully photographed scenes of the flora and fauna of Florida's northern region. While Jody Baxter, a lonely 12-year-old, is the central protagonist, the film delves into mature themes such as man's struggle against nature for survival, what constitutes our measurement of wealth, how our experiences shape the way we perceive and approach life, and how events can precipitate the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The book received the Pulitzer Prize in 1939, and the film was nominated for academy awards in the categories best film, best actor, best actress, best director, and best film editing. Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and Claude Jarman star in the lead roles, with some of Hollywood's best character actors playing colorful supporting roles.
The Yearling takes place in northeast Florida during the late 1870s. Jody's father, the shrewd but softhearted Penny Baxter (Peck), is a former rebel soldier trying to eke out a living for his family on a small farm. His somber wife, Orry (Wyman), has been so emotionally depleted by the deaths of several children that she cannot show love for Jody, her remaining child, for fear of losing him too. Jody, a wistful daydreamer, would rather explore the surrounding scrublands than attend to his chores, and his father, well aware of his son's loneliness, tends to forgive and indulge him, leaving Orry the role of disciplinarian and harsh realist.
The relationship between Penny and Jody is a wonderful example of a father passing on moral and ethical values, as well as the practical skills needed to survive in life. Penny shows Jody how to earn the respect of their fierce neighbors, the Forresters, how to plant crops and to hunt. In fact, it is during a bear hunt that Penny is bitten by a rattler and must shoot a doe to save his life. Not long after, Jody discovers and adopts -- against his parents' advice -- the doe's orphaned fawn, which he names Flag. His subsequent attempts to domesticate Flag and his relationship with a crippled Forrester boy, Fodderwing, lead him to the defining moments that mark his coming of age.
If you enjoy movies of past decades and stories of family life and character development, I highly recommend this film. I only wish it came in the widescreen view.
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The Yearling
Added 6/22/2009
A beautiful, heartwarming movie. However, there are a couple of scenes that are grossly insinuative. Like what happened to the mother deer - something had to be cut out, though they didn't show the process.
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Florida classic
Added 6/7/2009
This movie is priceless, and should be required viewing for all Florida school children. This is a classic and is a MUST SEE. Dont pass this one up, no matter your age.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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A tender growing of age story
Added 5/2/2009
The YEARLING, is a wonderful story of a family living in the post Civil War era of Florida.(1870's) Gregory Peck is the "Pa" to Jody (Claude Jarman, Jr) who shows him how to hunt bears, plant crops, & wonderful storytelling at nite."Ma" is Jane Wyman who holds the whole family together, whose greatest wish is to have a well nearer the house. Jody grows to love a fawn whose mother was sacrificed to save Pa after he was bitten by a rattle snake, while hunting. Jody eventually names the fawn Flag, after his special friend dies who loves animals himself. But with growth comes anguish, Flag eats the crops. Jody builds a fence that Flag sails over to eat the second planting. Ma & Pa insist that Flag go. Well, I wont tell the whole story. This is DEFINITELY a family movie,showing the trials & tribulations of love & letting go.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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A Gentle Classic
Added 4/11/2009
I remember watching this in the 1950's as a child and barely able to understand the movie's themes. The ending is what I kept in my mind for many, many years. It is not a flashy, special effects movie and I can certainly understand most people finding it boring compared to the fast paced movies common today.
This is a gentle movie with each actor playing their part to reflect accurately the characters in the book. The young actor who was chosen for Jody does not play Jody, he is Jody. One of the most moving scenes in addition to where Jody shots Flag is the scene with Jody and Fodderwing in the tree house. A quiet classic one should listen and watch with care. The yearling is also a metaphor to Jody with the yearling's death, Jody's loss of childhood is reflected in this. Even to this day, I become misty eyed at the ending. A quiet classic.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Family Drama in Florida's Scrublands
Added 9/10/2009
First of all, this is a 1946 film, so young viewers used to contemporary quick video-style scene cuts and an emphasis on action over character may not have the patience to sit through this lyrical story.
The author of the book, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, grew up in the Florida Everglades, and the film's director, Clarence Brown, depicts beautifully photographed scenes of the flora and fauna of Florida's northern region. While Jody Baxter, a lonely 12-year-old, is the central protagonist, the film delves into mature themes such as man's struggle against nature for survival, what constitutes our measurement of wealth, how our experiences shape the way we perceive and approach life, and how events can precipitate the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The book received the Pulitzer Prize in 1939, and the film was nominated for academy awards in the categories best film, best actor, best actress, best director, and best film editing. Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and Claude Jarman star in the lead roles, with some of Hollywood's best character actors playing colorful supporting roles.
The Yearling takes place in northeast Florida during the late 1870s. Jody's father, the shrewd but softhearted Penny Baxter (Peck), is a former rebel soldier trying to eke out a living for his family on a small farm. His somber wife, Orry (Wyman), has been so emotionally depleted by the deaths of several children that she cannot show love for Jody, her remaining child, for fear of losing him too. Jody, a wistful daydreamer, would rather explore the surrounding scrublands than attend to his chores, and his father, well aware of his son's loneliness, tends to forgive and indulge him, leaving Orry the role of disciplinarian and harsh realist.
The relationship between Penny and Jody is a wonderful example of a father passing on moral and ethical values, as well as the practical skills needed to survive in life. Penny shows Jody how to earn the respect of their fierce neighbors, the Forresters, how to plant crops and to hunt. In fact, it is during a bear hunt that Penny is bitten by a rattler and must shoot a doe to save his life. Not long after, Jody discovers and adopts -- against his parents' advice -- the doe's orphaned fawn, which he names Flag. His subsequent attempts to domesticate Flag and his relationship with a crippled Forrester boy, Fodderwing, lead him to the defining moments that mark his coming of age.
If you enjoy movies of past decades and stories of family life and character development, I highly recommend this film. I only wish it came in the widescreen view.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
The Yearling
Added 6/22/2009
A beautiful, heartwarming movie. However, there are a couple of scenes that are grossly insinuative. Like what happened to the mother deer - something had to be cut out, though they didn't show the process.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Florida classic
Added 6/7/2009
This movie is priceless, and should be required viewing for all Florida school children. This is a classic and is a MUST SEE. Dont pass this one up, no matter your age.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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