MovieChat Forums > Bound for Glory (1976) Discussion > Is it just me...

Is it just me...

posted 12 years ago by mister_tmg
6 replies | jump to latest

Who found this film incredibly dull? Maybe you have to be a fan of Woody Guthrie to appreciate it. I got it in a magazine I subscribed to called Movie Musicals. It isn't really a musical, but if it was a decent film I could forgive that. There's little for the viewer to engage with as the story plods along, and nothing seems to really happen. I'm afraid I found this an ordeal to watch. I certainly wouldn't rate it a 7!

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Skating and sinning...

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] thbryn 10 years ago

nothing seems to really happen.

The Dust Bowl was a pretty big deal. Parts of Texas,Ok,Ks,SD were just left desolate. And there was a thing going on called the depression too. That was the backdrop for what was happening in Woodie's active personal life.

Kisskiss, Bangbang

[–] pullman1881 10 years ago

I guess the OP wanted a more action-packed depression.

[–] jaysea2 10 years ago

Well said, pullman1881!

[–] mrt121212 9 years ago

You know, if it ain't happenin in NJ, NY, New England, Fla, or Ca, we just couldn't give a crap

[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 8 years ago

Very unfair responses to the OP. A movie can be about the most righteous, important, inspiring topic and still be dull. Whilst I don't wholly agree that BFG was dull, I can see where the OP is coming from. It's unnecessarily long (several sequences could have been excised and not missed) and (and this is a plus point) it's quiet, thoughtful and slowly paced. It's very much of its time, a time when a movie maker could stretch out and paint his vision on a huge canvas - some abused the privilege (cocaine may have had something to do with this). There are some beautiful, serene moments in BFG with Woody ambling through life while Ashby creates a stunning vista around him.

With about 20 minutes trimmed off it BFG would have been a masterpiece. As it is, it's a flawed gem.