moonspinner55 Quarry employee Henry Fonda, living on a cows-and-chickens estate in Wyoming with his wife and nine children, works on building the couple's dream home in the hills while also trying to get his book-learnin' eldest son into college. Sudsy adaptation of Earl Hamner Jr.'s thinly-disguised memoir, which led in due course to TV's "The Waltons", is full of now-familiar elements: the whiskey-sippin' grandpa, the gaggle of young 'uns who bathe together in one tub, the fiery-tempered Mrs. (Maureen O'Hara, giving us nothing new) who asks her husband to work overtime so she can buy her son a graduation ring, the funeral which brings all the scattered relatives together. Given a pictorial sheen by writer-director Delmer Daves and his team of cinematographers, this location-rich drama is so well-intentioned that it becomes rather turgid. James MacArthur seems a tad mature to be just coming-of-age and noticing girls, though Daves feasts on his creamy skin and masculinity--the only instance where the director gets some sensuality going (it sure isn't there between the adults). "The Waltons" usually managed to add a dash of vinegar to its mix of homilies and cracker-barrel wisdom; here, when papa Fonda explains sex to son MacArthur by saying, "Just remember, you ain't no bull and she ain't no cow," the incredulous will not be won over. ** from ****

vincentlynch-moonoi It was interesting reading the other reviews of this film. Clearly, some viewers have forgotten what life was like in 1950s in rural America. No, there's nothing controversial in this film, and I think that's why some see it as a white-wash. But I knew people in my hometown that were just about like these folks. In fact, as I sat watching this film, I kept thinking that the portrayals here were "real". It's a simple story, really, although so simple that one of our reviewers couldn't grasp it -- the story of a poor boy struggling to get to college at a time when not virtually everyone went to college. As the first boy in my very large extended family to go to college, I can understand this. This is real life...not dramatic life. The performances by Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara are superb, James MacArthur is excellent, and it's nice to see revered character actor Donald Crisp is what was his last film role, although he lived for another decade. As to the criticism that the other roles were not as well developed here as in "The Waltons", this is a 2 hour movie, not a 9 year television series! And to top everything off, the frosting on the cake is the snow-capped Grand Tetons where the movie was filmed. Absolutely top notch all the way.Additionally, it was nice seeing Wally Cox is a more substantial role than we usually see him in.This film was directed by Delmer Daves. Daves had an interesting directorial career, particularly in regard to his move to more teen-romantic films in the 1960s. This film is not that, although there is an element of it within the plot.This is top notch entertainment, and frankly, I have a hard time thinking of a film where Henry Fonda so masterfully portrayed a character...and that's saying a lot!

dbdumonteil A note about Mimsy Farmer who plays Claris : she was very popular in Europe (late sixties/early seventies) when her parts were much different from the rather irritating love interest of "Spencer's mountain":Europeans remember "More" (but the movie is now mainly remembered for Pink Floyd's music and French people may remember "La Route De Salina" and "La Traque" :she often appeared completely naked ."Spencer's mountain" is rather pleasant ,particularly the landscapes which are nicely filmed.Henry Fonda (cast against type as a father fond of the bottle)and Maureen O'Hara play almost supporting parts ,for most of the time is given over to their son (James McArthur ) who is the real main character of the screenplay.Like in" Peyton Place" (1957),there are too many secondary characters and its concept would better be applied on "the Waltons" a MTV saga.The main subject is Clayboy 's rocky road to college ,at a time when Latin -particularly if you wanted to become a minister ruled over the educated world .but it was a long time ago and the movie may seem naive (but no more than "wild in the country" in which Elvis Presley registered the same desire).Sometimes it recalls "die Trapp Familie" (whose remake "the sound of music" was a blockbuster) for the poor.It's interesting to note that after 1959,Delmer Daves gave up westerns ,his forte,("Broken arrow" " the last wagon" "3:10 to Yuma" "the hanging tree") to tackle melodrama .His last work " The battle of the Villa Fiorita" (feat.O'Hara again)was another family chronicle but in a posh milieu this time.

Tony_J61 A few IMDb commentators rubbish this movie to the max, but considering that a fair majority agree that it's a great piece of Americana that's no longer made, I think the Ayes have it and the Nay sayers lose.Bring back family and community value movies, the likes of which are never made anymore. There's always a a bad-guy in the wings of modern movies. Spencers' Mountain has no such bad guy.Sure, Fonda's script leaves a little to be desired and could possibly be called over-acting, but it's the story's warmth, wholesomeness and togetherness that makes it a great story.And for the history challenged, Spencers' Mountain was made NINE years BEFORE The Waltons, so trashing it 'cause it had similar elements as The Waltons is simply wrong.