Monday, November 4, 2013

Movie Review: ****The Thanksgiving Promise

This is a made for TV (for Wonderful World of Disney) which was first shown 23 Nov. 1986.  It is based on the novel "Chester, I Love You" written by Mormon authors Blaine and Brenton Yorganson.  The movie was made by the Bridges family, and many of the family star in the movie with Lloyd Bridges as the neighbor, Beau Bridges as director and father, and his son Jordan Bridges as Travis Tilby.  Travis is the younger brother who doesn't quite add up to his older two brothers.  His neighbor find a wounded gosling, and hires Travis to raise it so as they can have it for Thanksgiving dinner.  Travis bonds with the goose.  He does get into trouble, but he also warns the family of a fire, and they are able to save their neighbor who has had a poor relationship with Chester as he likes to eat her flowers.
There is also a side story with some bullies in the community, who pick on Travis and injure Chester.  However Chester ends up being OK and headed for the chopping block.
Travis tries to teach Chester to fly, as a way to save his life, hoping he will fly South.  He does fly, but comes back.  Travis takes the hatchet to the chopping block to say goodbye after expressing his love.
This is a good uplifting movie.  I have also read the book, which I liked a bit better as it gave us Travis' thoughts, which were lacking.  It made his fight against the rope climb more meaningful.

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