A Thousand Acres (1997)

"King Lear" set on a farm in Iowa.

Director:

Jocelyn Moorhouse

Writers:

Jane Smiley (novel), Laura Jones (screenplay)

Stars:

Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jason Robards

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Rose Cook Lewis
Jessica Lange	...	Ginny Cook Smith
Jason Robards	...	Larry Cook
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Caroline Cook
Colin Firth	...	Jess Clark
Keith Carradine	...	Ty Smith
Kevin Anderson	...	Peter Lewis
Pat Hingle	...	Harold Clark
John Carroll Lynch	...	Ken LaSalle
Anne Pitoniak	...	Mary Livingstone
Vyto Ruginis	...	Charles Carter
Michelle Williams	...	Pammy
Elisabeth Moss	...	Linda
Ray Toler	...	Marv Carson
Kenneth Tigar	...	Doctor

Storyline

A THOUSAND ACRES is a drama about an American family who meets with tragedy on their land. It is the story of a father, his daughters, and their husbands, and their passion to subdue the history of their land and its stories.

---

Plot Keywords:

iowa | farm | alcoholism | incest | rural setting | 

---

Taglines:

Best friends. Bitter rivals. Sisters.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong sexual language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

1000 Morgen

Filming Locations:

Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

DEM 193,823 (Germany) (26 June 1998)

Gross:

DEM 193,823 (Germany) (26 June 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Propaganda Films, Beacon Communications

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In keeping with the source material, the characters' names Ginny, Rose and Caroline start with the same letters as those of Lear's daughters...Goneril, Regan and Cordelia.

---

Goofs

At the beginning of the movie Larry Cook asks why Ty is cultivating the corn. A good question since the corn is chest high and cultivating it without killing it would be impossible.

---

Quotes

Larry Cook: You can't have children, but you, Rose, your children will laugh when you die.

---

Connections

Featured in The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1998)

---

Soundtracks

"Steel Guitars"
Written by Ron Keel, Hal Michael Monti and Ralph Borchert
Performed by Ron Keel
Courtesy of MasterSource

User Reviews

A Gem of a Film - severely underrated!

Having watched this film years ago, it never faded from my memory. I always thought this was the finest performance by Michelle Pfeiffer that I've seen. But, I am astounded by the number of negative reviews that this film has received. After seeing it once more today, I still think it is powerful, moving and couldn't care less if it is "based loosely on King Lear".

I now realize that this is the greatest performance by Jessica Lange that I've ever seen - and she has had accolades for much shallower efforts.

A Thousand Acres is complex, human, vibrant and immensely moving, but surely doesn't present either of the primary female leads with any touch of glamour or "sexiness". I don't think this is well received in these times.

Perhaps one reason for this film's underwhelming response lies in the fact that the writer (Jane Smiley(, screenplay (Laura Jones), and director (Jocelhyn Moorehouse) are all women. I know that, in my younger days, I wouldn't have read a book written by a woman. I didn't focus on this fact until years later.

If you haven't seen this movie or gave it a chance in the past, try watching it anew. Maybe you are ready for it.