The Awakening Land (1978)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

the movie is excellent and not like movies that are on TV/big screen anymore. A very good wholesome show, depicting a family over generations........very, very good. Jane Seymour was in this movie as well as Elizabeth Montgomery; one of her first movies, and might be her first one ever, so why has this never been released. I know I sound redundant, but if someone knows, let us all know, okay? Now, what hasn't it made it to be released in VHS, let alone DVD? Something about Elizabeth Montgomery's estate? That's what I heard. I'd think they would want to release all her movies, but they have not. I wonder why? She made several 'made for TV movies', that were really good, but u can't find them anywhere........why?

Of all the miniseries that have ever been this is the only one that I would buy on DVD the day it came out.Just an incredible work. Unlike most historical miniseries, where young hunks and starlets in rip away period costuming are the most important part and actual history is a very very distant third, in this miniseries "You Are There" on the western frontier of the US when that frontier was Ohio. The clothing, the sets (especially the way the family house grows from a one room cabin to a rambling squire's home while its contents change accordingly is wonderful), the scenery, the locations, the INCREDIBLE dialects and vocabulary (very true to the novel and a fantastic job by Marge Campion) all give a sense of time and place that's rarely been equaled on film. Then of course there's the acting: they went for talent rather than pretty and consequently got performances that are still great almost 30 years later. You believe Hal Holbrook, Elizabeth Montgomery (so good you never once think of her as Samantha) and the host of lesser knowns in their roles. There are moments that are hysterically funny ("The more you cry the less you have to pee!"), tragic (the insane mother handling the letter from her daughter's father-to say more would be a spoiler) and just touching, and Portius and "Say'rd" are two characters you care about, a family with real problems and real bonds, neither all saint nor all sinner and certainly not your standard plantation bodice ripper fair stock characters.If you have any interest in frontier history, see this.

The Awakening Land is one of the best mini-series I have ever seen. I well remember when this first came out on TV. I called in sick to work in order to finish watching it. Elizabeth Montgomery did a marvelous job, and I can't believe it hasn't been made available commercially. If you have any interest at all in how the pioneers handled the settling of new territory, this is an absolute must. It reminded me a bit of 'How the West Was Won' in scope, although it doesn't cover as many generations. Hal Holbrook gave a great performance too. I have always admired the courage of the early pioneers and the hard lives they led. The Awakening Land is a great showcase of this courage and how these pioneers handled the tough circumstances under which they lived.

I've seen the miniseries completely once and partially once. I'd watch it twice a year if I could. Just finished the book by Conrad Richter, The Awakening Land: The Trees, The Fields, The Town. Every time Sayward spoke, I pictured Elizabeth Montgomery; her performance was so true to the book. The role was made for her. Can you picture anyone else as Sayward? I can't. This is a fascinating period of time in our American past. Will The Awakening Land ever be released on VHS or DVD?