Review of Spencer's Mountain

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!