Review: Little House on the Prairie: Legacy Movie Collection DVD
Note: this review includes spoilers,
including the reveal of a death of a major character.
THE SET-UP
This boxed set includes three TV movie
specials from the classic “Little House on the Prairie” series:
“Look Back to Yesterday,” “Bless All the Dear Children,” and
“The Last Farewell.” The films are loosely based on the books by
Laura Ingalls Wilder, which recall her life with her parents, Charles
and Caroline, and her husband Almanzo, in the late 1800s. Stars
Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, Victor French, and Dean Butler.
specials from the classic “Little House on the Prairie” series:
“Look Back to Yesterday,” “Bless All the Dear Children,” and
“The Last Farewell.” The films are loosely based on the books by
Laura Ingalls Wilder, which recall her life with her parents, Charles
and Caroline, and her husband Almanzo, in the late 1800s. Stars
Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, Victor French, and Dean Butler.
Disc 1: “Look Back to Yesterday”
and “The Last Farewell.”
and “The Last Farewell.”
Disc 2: “Bless All the Dear
Children.”
Children.”
THE DELIVERY
After production on the Little House on
the Prairie series ended in early 1983, NBC gave the series a nice
wrap-up with a series of TV movie specials. Because the films were
shot after the series had finished production, not all of the major
cast members return for the films. Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) appears in only two
of the three films, and Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) only returned
for the series finale. Scottie MacGregor, who played fan-favorite
foil Harriet Oleson, doesn’t appear in any of the movies at all.
The only constant is Melissa Gilbert, who truly grew into her own as
an actress during the show’s run playing Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Originally cast in the role at the age of 10, she was the heart and
soul of the show by the series’ end, even though the series was initially a
vehicle for Michael Landon. Victor French, who plays the lovable Mr. Edwards, is along for all three films, and even directed two of them.
the Prairie series ended in early 1983, NBC gave the series a nice
wrap-up with a series of TV movie specials. Because the films were
shot after the series had finished production, not all of the major
cast members return for the films. Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) appears in only two
of the three films, and Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) only returned
for the series finale. Scottie MacGregor, who played fan-favorite
foil Harriet Oleson, doesn’t appear in any of the movies at all.
The only constant is Melissa Gilbert, who truly grew into her own as
an actress during the show’s run playing Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Originally cast in the role at the age of 10, she was the heart and
soul of the show by the series’ end, even though the series was initially a
vehicle for Michael Landon. Victor French, who plays the lovable Mr. Edwards, is along for all three films, and even directed two of them.
Little House on the Prairie was
appointment television in my home growing up. Many of today’s
viewers may turn their nose up at the show’s wholesome brand of
storytelling, in favor of today’s more sophisticated, cynical
dramas, but there is no denying Little House’s ability to deliver
an entertaining hour that the entire family can watch. The TV films
continue that tradition, and though I may perhaps be a bit biased
with my personal nostalgia, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these TV
movies again.
appointment television in my home growing up. Many of today’s
viewers may turn their nose up at the show’s wholesome brand of
storytelling, in favor of today’s more sophisticated, cynical
dramas, but there is no denying Little House’s ability to deliver
an entertaining hour that the entire family can watch. The TV films
continue that tradition, and though I may perhaps be a bit biased
with my personal nostalgia, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these TV
movies again.
“Look Back to Yesterday” aired in
December 1983 and “Bless All The Dear Children” aired in December
of 1984. The series finale, “The Last Farewell,” actually aired
as the second of the three movies, in February of 1984. Since “Bless
All The Dear Children” had a Christmas theme, it aired ten months
after the series finale, during the holiday season. For purposes of
continuity, we will review each in the order they should be viewed.
December 1983 and “Bless All The Dear Children” aired in December
of 1984. The series finale, “The Last Farewell,” actually aired
as the second of the three movies, in February of 1984. Since “Bless
All The Dear Children” had a Christmas theme, it aired ten months
after the series finale, during the holiday season. For purposes of
continuity, we will review each in the order they should be viewed.
“Look Back to Yesterday” (directed
by Victor French)
by Victor French)
Little House is known for its
tear-jerker episodes, but most never came close to this TV film.
Albert (Matthew Labyorteaux), the adopted son of the Ingalls family,
has plans to attend medical school and become a doctor, but those
plans are derailed when he learns he has a fatal blood disease.
tear-jerker episodes, but most never came close to this TV film.
Albert (Matthew Labyorteaux), the adopted son of the Ingalls family,
has plans to attend medical school and become a doctor, but those
plans are derailed when he learns he has a fatal blood disease.
Most of the film entails Albert and
Charles (Landon) leaving the city and returning to Walnut
Grove to stay with Laura and Almanzo. While there, everyone must come
to terms with Albert’s impending death, but Laura is having a
hard accepting the inevitable.
Charles (Landon) leaving the city and returning to Walnut
Grove to stay with Laura and Almanzo. While there, everyone must come
to terms with Albert’s impending death, but Laura is having a
hard accepting the inevitable.
The film tries hard to give an
uplifting ending (Albert’s death isn’t actually shown), but that
doesn’t make the overall tone any brighter. For long-time fans of
the show, who saw Albert grow up, it’s a bittersweet film.
uplifting ending (Albert’s death isn’t actually shown), but that
doesn’t make the overall tone any brighter. For long-time fans of
the show, who saw Albert grow up, it’s a bittersweet film.
Cameo
alert: keep an eye out for a young Melora Hardin (The Office) as
Albert’s love interest.
“Bless All The Dear Children”
(directed by Victor French)
(directed by Victor French)
In this Christmas-themed film, Rose,
the daughter of Laura and Almanzo, is taken by a grief-stricken woman
eager to replace her baby after a miscarriage. With the help of an
orphan who has tagged along, Laura, Almanzo, and Mr. Edwards set out
in search of Rose.
the daughter of Laura and Almanzo, is taken by a grief-stricken woman
eager to replace her baby after a miscarriage. With the help of an
orphan who has tagged along, Laura, Almanzo, and Mr. Edwards set out
in search of Rose.
Meanwhile, back in Walnut Grove, Jason
Carter (David Freidman) is trying to earn extra money for Christmas
by offering to chop down Christmas trees, but isn’t having much
luck. When he is finally hired to cut down a tree for Nancy Oleson
(Allison Balson), hijinks ensue.
Carter (David Freidman) is trying to earn extra money for Christmas
by offering to chop down Christmas trees, but isn’t having much
luck. When he is finally hired to cut down a tree for Nancy Oleson
(Allison Balson), hijinks ensue.
Although there is a fair amount of
melodrama, the film captures the sweet-natured, optimistic tone that
made Little House such a popular series. The ending may be a
little far-fetched, and a little too neatly wrapped, but seriously,
it’s a Little House Christmas. Just go with it.
melodrama, the film captures the sweet-natured, optimistic tone that
made Little House such a popular series. The ending may be a
little far-fetched, and a little too neatly wrapped, but seriously,
it’s a Little House Christmas. Just go with it.
“The Last Farewell” (directed by
Michael Landon)
Michael Landon)
In the series finale, the residents of
Walnut Grove learn that the entire town is actually owned by a
railroad tycoon, ,and their deeds are worthless. Rather than giving over their homes and the town to
him, the residents of Walnut Grove take a radical step: they blow up
the town with dynamite. It’s a surprising and sad ending to the
series, but the film does manage to serve as a satisfying final note.
The major actors all get their time in the spotlight, especially
Landon and Grassle, who had great chemistry as Ma and Pa Ingalls
during the nine seasons the series was on the air.
Walnut Grove learn that the entire town is actually owned by a
railroad tycoon, ,and their deeds are worthless. Rather than giving over their homes and the town to
him, the residents of Walnut Grove take a radical step: they blow up
the town with dynamite. It’s a surprising and sad ending to the
series, but the film does manage to serve as a satisfying final note.
The major actors all get their time in the spotlight, especially
Landon and Grassle, who had great chemistry as Ma and Pa Ingalls
during the nine seasons the series was on the air.
For fans of Little House, or those just
discovering the series, the three films of The Legacy Movie
Collection are essential watches. The bittersweet tone most of the
films take may not make for many repeat viewings, but there’s no
denying that this was, and still is, great television.
discovering the series, the three films of The Legacy Movie
Collection are essential watches. The bittersweet tone most of the
films take may not make for many repeat viewings, but there’s no
denying that this was, and still is, great television.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
All three films are remastered and
restored from what were obviously clean prints, as fans are treated
to a solid video transfer. There are limitations in the standard
definition image; the video is sometimes soft (not counting those
times when a “frosty” lens was deliberately used), and grain is
often present, although it isn’t very distracting. The soundtrack
is an English 2.0 Dolby Digital mix that has surprisingly good
clarity despite the age.
restored from what were obviously clean prints, as fans are treated
to a solid video transfer. There are limitations in the standard
definition image; the video is sometimes soft (not counting those
times when a “frosty” lens was deliberately used), and grain is
often present, although it isn’t very distracting. The soundtrack
is an English 2.0 Dolby Digital mix that has surprisingly good
clarity despite the age.
SPECIAL FEATURES
None, unless you count the Ultraviolet Digital Copy of the three films. It’s a disappointment, as any
behind-the-scenes extras or interviews would have been a nice addition for fans.
behind-the-scenes extras or interviews would have been a nice addition for fans.
THE BOTTOM LINE: “Little House”
ends with bittersweet stories
ends with bittersweet stories
Despite the bittersweet tone of most of
the films, the Little House Legacy Movie Collection is an
entertaining trio of TV movies that give an emotional yet
entertaining ending to the classic series. The remastered films
provide a solid technical presentation, but the lack of extras is a
minus.
the films, the Little House Legacy Movie Collection is an
entertaining trio of TV movies that give an emotional yet
entertaining ending to the classic series. The remastered films
provide a solid technical presentation, but the lack of extras is a
minus.
DVD SPECS
Release Date: September 13, 2016
Rating: Not rated
Running time: 300 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English, French, and Spanish 2.0
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing
Hard of Hearing
Special Features: Digital Copy
Label: Lionsgate
Click here to order Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy Movie Collection on DVD from Amazon!
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