Across the Great Divide (1976)

Very best movie i ever watch

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

An acceptable story line about two orphaned kids who reluctantly accept the assistance of a nice guy gambler on the run from past misfortune. Through trials and dangers a bond is formed between these likable characters. I rate this movie high simply for the good feeling you get watching it. Some of the animal scenes are completely unrealistic (a grizzly outdone by everyone including a few kids) but this seems to be the norm with these types of movies. It's also my peeve in the Genre but one must be capable of a more emotional response to fully appreciate what is being said in a film like this. Cue the imagination. What the movie gives up in "believability", regarding the animal scenes, it more than makes up for in filming locations. I was surprised to see the Peyto lake scenes as this is a very rugged and remote area of Alberta to shoot. Some real hiking may have been necessary for these shots but they are spectacular. A few good stunts; like a man and cougar fall from a cliff, add to the appeal. Overall, this is "feel good" 70's movie material.

Starring: Across the Great Divide is a 1976 film that stars Robert Logan, Heather Rattray, and George Buck Flower. The film was shot on location in Utah and Canada. The movie is rated G in the Summary: From the producer of the Wilderness Family series comes a film about two orphaned youngsters set out to claim their rightful inheritance-a 400-acre plot of land in Salem Oregon. To do so necessitates their crossing the rugged snow covered Colorado Rocky Mountains in the 1876. On their Journey, these pioneer children cross paths with Zachariah Coop, an irresistible film-flam man. They were friends of fate…an unlikely combination of frontier trickery and pioneer innocence. The children did not always approve of Zach's way, but he was their only hope. Together this unlikely threesome, through companionship and love, struggle to survive an incredible journey. They face perilous dangers and challenges of the wilderness and gain the mutual respect of the Blackfoot Indians. It is much more than a dynamic outdoor adventure story about man against nature for it is human nature-of relationships and their tenacious hold on to their dream. Questions: Why did the kids join MR Coop? What kind of hazards did the kids have to deal with? Do the kids make it where there trying to? My Thoughts: This was the first of three films that Heather Rattray did with Robert Logan and Rattray when on years later to play Victoria Newman on the Young and The Restless Soap Opera. The movie it's self I would give a six however, when you add in the country and its beauty through out the movie then this movie jumps to a 9.

In 1976, at the height of the John Denver phenomenon, all us college kids flocked to the theatres to see the awesome Rocky Mountain scenery. The story did not appeal nearly as much then, as it does now, watching my kids watch it. In midlife I have come to enjoy it in totality. The scenes (Utah and British Columbia) are breathtaking. The child actors are spunky and yet charming. Logan is inimitable in his mannerisms. After a while you are drawn into the situation as though you are part of it. Sit down with the kids or grandkids and enjoy it over and over.

Plot: A professional gambler on the run stumbles across and eventually joins up with two orphaned children on their way to Oregon.Good stuff: The film has some amazing scenery and even more amazing scenes with animals. The performance by the actress playing the older sister is pretty good and there is some nice dramatic tension between her and Robert Logan's character. The card game between Logan and the horse traders was pretty amusing.Bad stuff: I thought the film ended rather abruptly. While there is a resolution of sorts, it would have been interesting if the film could have gone on for maybe another 15 minutes. In addition, Robert Logan seems far too pleasant to play the self-centered gambler character. Overall, not a great film, but one good enough to keep your attention and the attention of the kids.