lucyandfinn Before I ever saw Heartland, I read Elinore Pruitt Stewart's "Letters of a Woman Homesteader." Her letters portray a woman of insight and intelligence, and a much gentle demeanor than that portrayed in the movie.The movie was produced by the Wilderness Women and the National Endowment for the Arts. You can see the contribution by the Wilderness Women. Just awesome.The music was spot on. Elinore and her daughter Jerrine go to live with Clyde Stewart on his ranch, Elinore as his housekeeper. The scene where she washes clothes and hangs them on the line made my hands hurt! Elinore befriends Grandma, a German woman several miles from their ranch, and the local midwife. There are several scenes that are quite wonderful, the cow roundup and picnic. The pig slaughter is just what they would have done to have meat for the winter.Then winter sets in and then reality is right there. The married Stewart's child is born and has died. There is no feed for the cattle. An emaciated horse comes to the house and is turned away.The Stewarts decide to give up, but then a new calf is born. A new beginning. They decide to go on.Beautiful movie, from beginning to end. The DVD is glorious.

Paul Jordan-Smith This is a first-rate film, based on the letters of its heroine, Elinore Pruitt Stewart (and published in the book Letters of a Woman Homesteader, in print 2003), supplemented with material gathered from other frontier families. The film follows the life of a widow with a young daughter who arrives in Wyoming (in actual life, Colorado) in 1910 to serve as housekeeper for a rancher. The film is inconclusive, as it should be: this isn't a story so much as a slice of life. And what a life! Regardless of whether the character represents Elinore's true nature, this is a wonderful woman: strong, self-determining, and courageous. She's not your usual impossibly slender, pretty young thing--Hollywood seems to think mere wisps could survive these hardships and keep their Mary Kay contact visiting regularly--but a sturdy and practical woman who never flinches at what life throws at her. One scene to watch for (among many): taking down clothes from the clothesline. I won't give the game away, but Elinore Stewart was one hell of a human being. I'd have felt honored to know her.

henryfields Heartland is based on the letters of Elinore Pruitt Stewart collected in Letters of a Woman Homesteader. For anyone who is familiar with both works, it is obvious that while the initial subject matter is the same, the intentions of each are vastly different.If you are looking for the sweet, Arcadian version of life as an American homesteader, then read Letters. However, if you want to see a brutally honest picture of what it takes to make it on the frontier, then watch Heartland. Each has its own appeal. Letters and Heartland are wonderful works, and are highly recommended for any student of the American West.

Movie_Man 500 What more do you need from a movie? Nice slice of Americana is brutal at times but a rewarding film experience. Compares to some of the pain staking, carefully detailed epics of George Stevens (of Giant fame.)Can't get any better than the 2 strong leads. Torn and Ferrell are amazing. Maybe because as one reviewer stated, they don't even appear to be reciting dialogue. Definitely an overlooked jewel, waiting to be discovered on video.