Heartland (1979)

A widow with a young daughter travels to a ranch in Wyoming to manage the household of a rancher. After a while the man and woman develop a relationship that leads to a marriage. But life in the harsh place takes its toll.

Director:

Richard Pearce

Writers:

Beth Ferris (screenplay), William Kittredge (additional scenes and dialogue) (as Bill Kittredge)

Stars:

Rip Torn, Conchata Ferrell, Barry Primus

4 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rip Torn	...	Clyde Stewart
Conchata Ferrell	...	Elinore Randall Stewart
Barry Primus	...	Jack
Megan Folsom	...	Jerrine
Lilia Skala	...	Mrs. Landauer
Amy Wright	...	Clara Jane
Jerry Hardin	...	Cattlebuyer
Mary Boylan	...	Ma Gillis
Jeff Boschee	...	Land Office Agent #1
Robert Overholzer	...	Land Office Agent #2
Bob Sirucek	...	Dan Byrd
Marvin Berg	...	Justice of the Peace
Gary Voldseth	...	Cowboy
Mike Robertson	...	Cowboy
Doug Johnson	...	Cowboy

Storyline

Widowed Elinor Randall and her young daughter Jerrine arrive in a barren stretch of Wyoming in 1910 after Elinor's application for work as a housekeeper is accepted by Clyde Stewart, a rancher. The work is back-breaking and the isolation is brutal, particularly as winter arrives. Elinor begins to think about homesteading her own property near Stewart's ranch, but Stewart tries to dissuade her with explanations about the killing conditions and poor rewards, especially for a woman with no man to help her ranch. Although their temperaments are different and little affection exists, Elinor and Stewart agree to marry and combine homesteads. What lies ahead is the severest test of all.

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Plot Keywords:

rural setting | cattle | homestead | 1910s | based on fact | 

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Taglines:

Heartland is about roots and origins. Heartland is about love and survival.

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Genres:

Western | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Força da Terra

Filming Locations:

Wheatland County, Montana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmhaus, The National Endowment for the Humanities, Wilderness Women

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Letters written by Elinore Pruitt Stewart provided the basis for the film. These letters dated from April 1909 to November 1913 and were first printed in "The Atlantic Monthly."

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Goofs

The logs are clearly cut by late C20th machinery.

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Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: Independent Films (1981)

User Reviews

Another solid effort by Pearce

Director Richard Pearce has a knack for finding small tightly- crafted stories and keeping them confined to their natural surroundings and letting smart casting choices take over the work and create something magical. He's done it with "Country" and "Family Thing" and maybe never better than with "Heartland." Of course, Rip Torn is a fine actor and well-suited to the role of a farmer, but the amazing turn by Farrell in the lead is not any easy part. She is quite remarkable in this film, and it's maddening why she wasn't utilized more by other directors. (She shows up often in stereotypical parts, like the secretary in "Erin Brokovich") A shame this commanding actress isn't recognized more for this fantastic performance.