Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder (2000) (TV)

Director:

Marcus Cole

Writer (WGA):

Stephen Harrigan (written by)

Release Date:

2 January 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Family | Romance

Plot:

A version of the "Little House" stories that cover some of the events that take place in the last three...

Plot Keywords:

Hail | Fiddle | Dream | Prairie | Hope

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Terra Allen	...	Rose Wilder
Alandra Bingham	...	Laura Ingalls at 3
J. Scott Bronson	...	Mr. Robbins
Courtnie Bull	...	Grace Ingalls
Lindsay Crouse	...	Caroline Ingalls
Cory Dangerfield	...	Cory
Virginia Dare Paulin	...	Patsy Robbins
Jeremy Elliott	...	Cap Garland
Walton Goggins	...	Almanzo Wilder
Tess Harper	...	Narrator / Older Laura Ingalls Wilder
Jan Jensen	...	Mrs. Robbins
Haley McCormick	...	Carrie Ingalls
Meredith Monroe	...	Laura Ingalls Wilder
Tracy Pfau	...	Mrs. Bouchie
Lyndee Probst	...	Grace Ingalls at 9
Barbara Jane Reams	...	Mary Ingalls
Luke Stoddanf	...	Clarence
Richard Thomas	...	Charles Ingalls
Mary Parker Williams	...	Miss Walter
Kurt Woodruff	...	Royal Wilder

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:G

Company:

D.W. Productions

Movie Connections:

Follows Little House on the Prairie (1974) (TV)

The "True" Story?

To say that this is the "True" story of Laura Ingalls Wilder is stretching it a bit. The story is more true to her real life (or at least her version of it) than the TV series ever was, but it doesn't quite get there.

Richard Thomas as Pa however is much better than Michael Landon and more true to the character portrayed in the books. Lindsay Crouse also does a credible job as Ma. The only thing that I would disagree with is the writer's insistance that Charles' wanderlust was a sticking point in their marriage so much so that Caroline couldn't contain her bitterness. While it was an issue in their lives, Ma has never been portrayed as being bitter and she and Pa would have never have been so out of control about it that they would air their grievances in front of the girls.

Oddly enough the girl playing Laura resembles illustrator Garth Williams' depiction of her in the book series. Meredith Monroe is charming, but some times her performance seems a little too quiet.

Unfortunately the modern world begins to intrude here and the innocence of the books seems to have been lost to make the story more interesting. Also there is a great deal that is left out for the simplification of the story. Characters that contribute to forming the Laura that eventually becomes attractive to Almanzo.

In addition, the beautifully innocent courtship that is portrayed in the books seems to be a little muddled here in the movie. While on the one hand, Almanzo has to be asked to kiss Laura after they become engaged on the other he can't wait to get her in bed once they get married.

All in all, to me, it is a more serious endeavor to portray the books. It will be interesting to see what the rumored version for the big screen to be written by Horton Foote will bring