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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Western | Drama

---

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."

---

Goofs

The logs are clearly cut by late C20th machinery.

---

Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: The Best of 1981 (1982)

User Reviews

One of the best films - accurate American history

This is one of the best films ever made. It is a realistic depiction of rural ranching life which was a big part of American History. The setting is 1906 Wyoming where life had not changed much since the previous century. The film keeps your interest without the added Hollywood myths. The whole family can see this movie and be intrigued about how life was like in America when it was mostly a rural nation. With this film, you will escape the present and witness the daily life of 100 years ago. In a beautiful, scenic environment you will see the hard physical work that was required to survive, as well as the constant worries and concerns of the elements and the market pressures that will make a difference between success or failure. See this movie and experience life as it was for most of our nation's history. This film is worth your time to see. My only question is - why aren't there more films like this one?