As Warm as Apple Cider

I saw this movie many years ago when I was in my teens. At the time, my father and I were not getting along and we had many of the same conversations as Jason and Ethan (including the whoopings). It took time for me to understand my dad's behavior towards me. When I had children of my own, it made it much easier to grasp. My own son and I went through these turbulent years, but he is now in his late 20s and he tells me all the time what a great dad I was.

The part of the story I remembered from that viewing in 1982 was about how Jason recovers Pilgrim. I just thought that was a wonderful aspect. Watching the movie later, I realize, that was only a small part of the plot.

Jimmy Stewart does not give a great performance here. His great acting roles were a few year down the line. I just felt his talents here were limited. Walter Huston gives a powerful performance as his preacher father. The simple scene of him tossing aside the strap to spank Jason with his hand implied love and pain without a word. Beulah Bondi deservedly won an Oscar for her role as the doting wife and loving mother, willing to sacrifice all for her family. She tried to straddle the line between honoring her husband and protecting her son. Charles Coburn gives a great performance as the town's country doctor who inspires young Jason to become a doctor.

No conversation about this movie would be complete without mentioning John Carradine's amazing performance as Abraham Lincoln. Its only a small role, but its crucial to the plot. The President takes time from the days of war to chastise Jason about not appreciating his mother. Its powerful and compelling and Carradine nails it.

The movie has a great heart and it comes out in the film. Ideas like honor, family, love, humility, and generational differences are all on display here. Just a well done movie.


My memory foam pillow says it can't remember my face. I can tell its lying.