Homemaking Movie Reviews

The DVD version of "The Homecoming" is beautiful. I have compared it to the VHS copy I have and the DVD has a much sharper picture, better color, good sound (although, stereo would have been nice), and as an added treat - the original television promo that proceeded the movie. It was probably only used once or twice. I was stunned to see it - it was never included on the VHS - and it makes viewing the movie even more nostalgic. My only real complaints are that the package says that it has subtitles - it does NOT, only closed-captioning - and no extras what-so-ever. There must be something besides the original intro promo. Anyway, this is a must-have movie that can be viewed anytime of the year but especially at Christmas. It still gets me even after 30+ years. Oh, and Paramount has rated this TV movie as PG for brief mild language. Please, Mary Ellen calls the other kids piss-ants - which is NOT a swear word. This is most definitely a G-rated film fit for ALL AGES. Share it with your family.

I gave the DVD a rating of 4 - the movie earns a 5, but the lack of extras and no subtitles drops it to a 4. Still worth buying!

Ignore the warning about this 98-minute version being "edited" down from 120 minutes. Those supposed missing 22 minutes are from commercial breaks when this production was televised in a two-hour slot. Nothing has been edited out in this great movie.

And if you think 11 minutes of commercials an hour is a lot, hey, those were the days. It's closer to 16 minutes now.

Nothing fails to get me in the Christmas spirit more than "The Homecoming." As other reviewers have indicated, this was a pilot for "The Waltons" and Patricia Neal is absolutely marvelous as Olivia...I just never felt Michael Learned could replace her. In fact, I am really not a fan of "The Waltons" TV series, but this is truly beautiful. I love the backdrop of the Virginia mountains in winter, the characters are lovable as well, and I love the story line. But my absolute favorite aspect of the movie is Patricia Neal as Olivia...she does a great job and is totally believable as a depression era mother from the Appalachians who is trying to keep up the Christmas spirit in her family, although she has some heavy burdens to bear. Neal's portrayal of Olivia somewhat "harder," some might say, than Michael Learned's version...but this is really why it adds that extra bit of realism (I always though Michael Learned was a bit too sugary and had the "wrong" kind of southern accent for this role.) In any case, I *highly* recommend this to put you in that Christmas mood. Truly heartwarming.