This has all the characteristics of "Little House on the Prairie", focusing on newcomers to a small community where they make both friends and foes, work hard, have a ton of children and even more tragedies. There's the kindly minister, doctor, giving women of the town, and one interfering busy body who is the poster hag for good intentions are the pathways to hell.Instead of being already parents, newcomers Glynis Johns and Cameron Mitchell are Scottish immigrants who have come to see her uncle, unfortunately recently deceased in a fire. They decide to remain to give their unborn child a home, and before long, there are six of them. Papa passes on, and with mama ailing, it seems that they will soon need to be placed in other homes. Nasty Reta Shaw, who has been a thorn in John's side since the very beginning (think Mrs. Olsen without humor) begins to follow what she believes her Christian duty to be, obviously only going to make things worse.People on the prairie faced many hardships, whether it be the weather, financial or medical, and with one child suffering from diphtheria and Johns from typhoid, their tragedies seem insurmountable. Of the children, Rex Thompson and Patty McCormick stand out the most. Johns is also excellent, with Mitchell often funny, especially when dealing with boss Alan Hale Jr., a strong Irishman who hates Scotts. This is a story of survival, family sticking together even when the worst has happened and it's only the children. Shaw's hateful character deserves old fashioned hisses, a contrary to the hugs audiences wanted to give her as the lovable Mabel in the same year's film version of "The Pajama Game".The beautiful snowy photography is another plus, showing both the danger and magnificence of it. I wouldn't recommend going into this film without Kleenex as many moments occur that could bring on a flood of tears.

When my family watched this we had gotten very attached to the characters and wanted to know the whole story (today's films would have followed the tale with "So-and-so went on to do such-and-such"). Knowing that the tale is TRUE made it more powerful but unfulfilled at the end without following up. The local Wisconsin online historical societies had the best coverage of the Eunson's. The writer (who lived to be 98) is one of the grandchildren of the parents in the story.... Clark County Press usgennet.org is where I found what we wanted to know when the film 'ended'. Could be a good propaganda piece for vaccinations!

I remember this movie as a child in 4th grade. It was the first time that I had ever experience real emotions watching a film. Like a lot of the viewers here I saw the movie at school. As I look back now it makes me grin. I remember when the lights came on everyone was crying, that including the school teachers. I've seen the film only once more since way back then "1962" and it still had the same effect.I would highly recommend this film to everyone who enjoys a good family type movie. In the beginning I thought that the movie might be about life in a forest and the creatures that they might encounter, or someone being lost. I never expected anything happening to either of the parents. I've seen many many movies in my life, I own over 3500 films and I have never seen a movie that moved me as much as this one. It's one of the best tear jerking movies that I have ever ever seen. Parents should watch it with their kids.

Because it is one of the most emotional movies I have seen in a long time. I watched it with my family on Christmas Eve and there was not a dry eye in our living room!! A Scotsman and his young wife come to America to live the life they've heard is wonderful, and for a few years, everything is well. They have beautiful children and a prosperous life. But as is with many of the early pioneer families in America, tragedy is just around the bend, and it certainly wreaks havoc with this clan.If you love movies/stories like Mrs. Mike and the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, you will certainly love this very powerfully acted and poignant family film. I don't believe it is a Disney picture, but it has that same great quality.But as I said, you'd best have tons of Kleenex in reach. It WILL make you cry, unless you have a particularly hard heart!! Especially toward the end, when young Robbie becomes "the man of the family".