In May of last year I had the honor of reviewing one of my favorite television shows of all time, The Waltons (Season 9). While I was somewhat disappointed with it, due to the lack of special features, I still believe the series is worth watching. I could say many of the same things about the new DVD boxed set, The Waltons Movie Collection.
The Collection covers six television movies from the series, ranging from 1982 to 1997. One of the really enjoyable things about the boxed set is we get to see sequences featuring all of the cast, including the original cast with Michael Learned (Olivia/Mother) and Richard Thomas (John Boy), both characters that were either not in later seasons or were played by other actors (as in the case of John Boy, later played by Robert Wightman). Another great thing about this movie set is the incorporation of footage (and allusions to) Grandpa, played by Will Geer (who had died early in the series), and the inclusion of Grandma, played beautifully by Ellen Corby. Corby suffered a stroke in 1977 and was greatly limited in episodes afterward, especially so in the movies; that said, I can’t help but notice the brilliance of this actress when she is on screen. I loved every moment of it.
Odds are, most people interested in this movie collection already know about the series. One of the most acclaimed, loved television series of all time, The Waltons is about a Virginia family filled with love and what some may call “old-fashioned” values. The exploits follow the family from The Great Depression through World War 2 and into the 1960s and beyond. This long-running series featured the exploits of this family in a little mountain town.
In looking back on this set of television movies, I can’t help but notice the dating of the series created by Earl Hammer (on whom the John Boy character is based). It resembles a lot of television of the day, and unfortunately shows the progress that television has made over the years, from the acting, to set design, direction, special effects, and beyond. What the new television shows don’t represent nearly as well is the classic storytelling and values presented in The Waltons. It caused me to ponder for this review as to what really were “the good ol’ days.”
Some assume the good ol’ days are a representation of the time period, yet, after re-viewing the films, I see something different: families staying together and having a deep love, and appreciation for each other. Even today, we see commercials understanding the influence of this series in the traditional good-night comments included at the conclusion of each episode of The Waltons. We see other things, though, like the prayers the family says at each meal, and the importance of church (even encouraged by those not attending on a regular basis); all of the characters value and respect those traditional beliefs. In The Waltons what we have isn’t much different than the ideals presented in the musical Fiddler on the Roof.
The collection also shows the respect given to people in authority, especially family. We see the conflict that comes about as children grow older, especially in the characters of Ben and his father, John Walton, Sr. We also see this in the attitudes of parents, friends, and others. We even see enough of a continuation in the movies that the grown up children demonstrate the impact of how they were raised, and the influences of the adults on their childhood. Is it possible the respect once given to parents, to family, have been lost? In a world where more time is spent on a video game, and more time in the house instead of out of it, I wonder if we have lost something in regard to the importance of communication.
The story presented over the years in this movie collection is one of the things that help us understand the incredible longevity of the series. While I am still disappointed in the non-existent special features which would be so easily added, I love the movies in this collection, most of which are centered on the holidays when family is so important. I can’t help but believe the reason we long for programming like The Waltons in a world where we see too much ‘reality programming’ is because the reality we see portrayed on “reality television” remind us of the negative of what we have become instead of the positive relationships we used to have? In a series where we see families sit down to eat together, offering a prayer while holding hands, I don’t know if we can even comprehend it. With dinner from a local fast food restaurant, eaten on the run while taking the kids to some kind of practice, I can’t help but think those things of convenience can be all that good.
Some think the good old days are something besides a simple faith with a respect and worship of God, and exhibition of loving each other. I don’t know; it seems The Waltons remind us it is exactly those things. I am reminded of the words of another who said that: Love God, Love Others! I just miss that message in today’s world. It seems like we hear more now about, Love Whoever, Love Me. Unfortunately, with that message, give me the good old days presented in this DVD set.
With a retail price of $24.99 this is a set that is well worth the cost. Pop some pop-corn, bring the family together, sit down and watch a few episodes. Then why don’t you do something really unusual; talk about life then, as opposed to life now. I think that you may just be surprised at what the kids think they would rather have.
To see this review in its original form, complete with videos, click here.
