Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Ariella Broughton It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

moonspinner55 Quarry employee Henry Fonda, living on a cows-and-chickens estate in Wyoming with his wife and nine children, works on building the couple's dream home in the hills while also trying to get his book-learnin' eldest son into college. Sudsy adaptation of Earl Hamner Jr.'s thinly-disguised memoir, which led in due course to TV's "The Waltons", is full of now-familiar elements: the whiskey-sippin' grandpa, the gaggle of young 'uns who bathe together in one tub, the fiery-tempered Mrs. (Maureen O'Hara, giving us nothing new) who asks her husband to work overtime so she can buy her son a graduation ring, the funeral which brings all the scattered relatives together. Given a pictorial sheen by writer-director Delmer Daves and his team of cinematographers, this location-rich drama is so well-intentioned that it becomes rather turgid. James MacArthur seems a tad mature to be just coming-of-age and noticing girls, though Daves feasts on his creamy skin and masculinity--the only instance where the director gets some sensuality going (it sure isn't there between the adults). "The Waltons" usually managed to add a dash of vinegar to its mix of homilies and cracker-barrel wisdom; here, when papa Fonda explains sex to son MacArthur by saying, "Just remember, you ain't no bull and she ain't no cow," the incredulous will not be won over. ** from ****

S Bradford Based on the same source material that was used for the TV series "The Waltons", "Spencer's Mountain" is cornier, shallower, and quite a bit duller than its television counterpart. The basic setup is the same - a poor but proud man lives with his churchgoing wife, his elderly parents, and a multitude of children, including an intellectual eldest son who aspires to go to college. However, this movie takes place in the present day, though (1963 at the time), and the action, what little there is, is moved from Virginia to gorgeous Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Enjoy the scenery, because it's probably the best thing about the film.Unlike the series, the characterizations are not nearly as well fleshed out. Other than the eldest son (here named Clay Boy instead of John Boy), none of the children are given much to do. The grandparents are ciphers as well. Also, it's difficult to make lovely Maureen O'Hara unappealing, but this movie somehow manages - she plays the clan's shrewish, nagging mother, who lavishes most of her attention on her "special" eldest son. Even worse is Henry Fonda as the patriarch, who is prone to spewing corny, down-home platitudes and creepily refers to his "babies".Sure, "The Waltons" had its corny side as well, but the early seasons can be surprisingly gritty at times. "Spencer's Mountain" will just make your teeth ache. Skip it.

MartinHafer My above comment is alluding to the overall blandness of the film. It isn't a BAD film, but it seems a bit too gosh-darn happy and perfect and unremarkable--sort of like the Stepford Wives meet The Waltons (the latter was the obvious movie version of Spencer's Mountain). And because of that it's so inoffensive and ordinary that I have no desire to see it again. The sad thing is the acting was pretty good (it's hard to go wrong with Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara) but the story just wasn't compelling. Overall, it's a time passer and that's about all. About the only thing that is interesting is watching a younger Jame McArthur ("Danno" from Hawaii 5-0--also the son of Helen Hayes) playing the role later played by Richard Thomas.

jmagda-1 I don't know what the other guy was talking about, but I found this movie to be great. Henry Fonda as the head of the family was jovial, but stern. Maureen O'Hara was her usual tough, but beautiful leading lady. The story was engaging, the scenery is breath-taking, and makes one yearn for those old films that made going to the movies an event, something really special. I'm also glad it's finally out on DVD, as my pan and scan VHS copy isn't the greatest. Plot-wise, it followed the life of the Spencer family and their many adventures, if you will. The plots weren't all over the place, it was just documenting the various happenings in the Spencer family. Anyone with a heart will love this movie!