The Education of Little Tree (1997)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Richard Friedenberg

Writers (WGA):

Forrest Carter (novel)
Earl Hamner Jr. (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

25 December 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Little Tree is an 8-year-old Cherokee boy, who, during the time of the depression, loses his parents...

Plot Keywords:

Boy | Church | Native American | Child Nudity | Period Piece

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

James Cromwell	...	Granpa
Tantoo Cardinal	...	Granma
Joseph Ashton	...	Little Tree / Joshua
Mika Boorem	...	Little Girl
Christopher Heyerdahl	...	Pine Billy
Christopher Fennell	...	Wilburn (as Chris Fennell)
Graham Greene	...	Willow John
Leni Parker	...	Martha
Rebecca Dewey	...	Dolly
Bill Rowat	...	Henry
Robert Daviau	...	Ralph
Norris Domingue	...	Mr. Jenkins
Mark Jeffrey Miller	...	Preacher
Gordon Masten	...	Politician
Howard Rosenstein	...	Calf's Owner

Also Known As:

L'éducation de Little Tree (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for language and thematic elements including old fashioned discipline.

Runtime:

Argentina:116 min | USA:112 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:PG (TV premiere) | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Portugal:M/6 (video premiere) | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Blue Ridge Mountains, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Allied Films

Goofs:

Continuity: When Little Tree's grandmother is serving the meal, there's a large spoon to the right of her plate. Then there's a close-up shot of Little Tree as she sets the two bowls on her and Little Tree's plates and then fetches the dictionary and her glasses, and a wide shot of the whole table again. But now the spoon has vanished. When she finishes reading to him out of the dictionary, there's another wide shot and the spoon has reappeared.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#21.7)" (1999)

A mixed race child faces challenges growing up in the South in the 1920's

My husband had told me about this movie for years, and when he rented it I was skeptical, at best since he's not known for his taste in films, television, or music. The movie takes place in the Applachian Mountains where I live. It's almost the story of my husband's family, they are a mix of Blackfoot, Crow, Cherokee, and several other tribes. After seeing the film, I truly understand what they've had to endure over the years. It also makes me think of the crimes that people commit on other people, all in the name of making a group "fit in". The young boy, "Little Tree" did not ask to be born into a family who has both white and Cherokee parents. In the 1920's this was a crime that was beyond forgiveness. The grandparents are also a "mixed" couple, they raise the boy and he is wise beyond his years thanks to them! This move will make you cry, laugh, think, and rejoice. I have to say, that it's even better than MY all time favorite, The Wizard Of Oz! RENT IT, BUY IT, LOVE IT!!!!! THE very best movie I've seen in years!!!!!

P.S. Have PLENTY of tissue on hand!!!