My Side of the Mountain (DVD, 2004)

"My Side of the Mountain," starring Teddy Eccles, is a trip down memory lane to a time when boys could be boys, including running away from home to live free (and alone) like Thoreau. Imagine a boy taking a Greyhound bus to Canada and spending the better part of a year living alone in the Canadian wilderness now. There would be an "Amber Alert" issued within hours of his leaving home and CNN would have helicopters in the air in no time. This movie is a fun look back at innocence. While the dialogue (mostly voiceover by the boy) is dated and somewhat stilted, a young Eccles gives a fine performance. This is a great family movie if you can get your hands on it. Of course you'll have to warn the kiddies not to speak to strange folk singers. LOL.

This movie doesn't even follow the story that Jean Craighead George created at all. For one thing the falcon gets shot in the movie and in the book the falcon lives until the end. Another thing is that in the movie he came to the mountains to do research when in the book he just came because he wanted to. The movie combines characters, they combined Bando and the person who was a songwriter. Don't Buy!!

To not buy a movie because it doesn't follow a book storyline exactly will often cause you to miss out on a very good movie. Not all things written in a book work well in the filming of a movie. I know many diehard readers are true to the storyline and get upset when there's a change, but I feel this is a good movie, one of my favorites, but I've not read the book. It's a good clean movie in a time where there's more gunfire and death than meaning and common decenty to what we're watching. This is what I'd want my children watching even if something isn't quite perfect as written in the book.

This movie is not the fast paced adventure that is common today. The pace and theme appeals to those who yearn for simple times, and freedom from the chaos of this world. A boy who wants something different than the rushing pace of urban life, and the growing up inside of what really matters. I found this to be refreshing, and wanted to do the same thing even 40 years ago, even more so now. Sounds hokey to some, but if your heart yearns for better days, a simplier life, and freedom from the hurt caused by society, this story might appeal to you. With God's promise and help, better days ARE ahead!

I remember watching this movie and my grandparents as a little kid. I loved it so much I watch it on video every single time I would come visit. Really great movie for young kids with a great story and great message! Highly recommend with anyone with young kids for family movie night!