User Reviews

If ever there was a film about a brave woman trying to survive in hard places (the wilderness) and hard times (the Great Depression), this is it. This movie received good review when released -- Roger Ebert cited it as a exemplary film at the time -- but it's disappeared. Some of this is likely due to its Canadian production; if a U.S. company makes a film in Canada, it's easy to find, but domestic Canadian films often get lost in the shuffle.

Ellen Burstyn is marvelous in the lead role; she gives a performance that keeps the film tipping over into a standard Lifetime TV potboiler, albeit in the pines. She tries, she adapts, she grieves, but all in a realistic way that life will go on, and she'll go along with it.

After attending the Premier of Silence of the North, at the Town Theatre, in Vernon, B.C. July 1981, (with Olive & John Fredrickson, and the Cast & Crew,) I am still in awe of the beauty of Olives' story and the excellent production by Universal Studio and the Cast. After all these years, I found myself in tears, while watching Silence of the North, on TV last night. Olives' heart warming true life story, is a timeless recollection of the life of a truly, remarkable woman and her family. We all miss our dear friends, Olive & John Fredrickson, so very much. This movie lets us visit with them one more time and brings back so many treasured memories.Vi ses senare, Olive & John...........

This is an excellent movie! If you ever get the chance to see it I highly recommend it.

Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of Olive Frederickson is so good it's actually haunting. By that I mean the character will stick with you for days. Her life's experiences are quite extraordinary and will leave you thinking about them for quite a while after seeing this movie.

When you consider that it's a true story, (something I didn't know the first time I saw it until after it was over) it will move you deeply.

Buy it, rent it, borrow it or steal it. It's that good.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming true story about Olive Frederickson. I was very impressed with the strength and independence of the main character, Olive, as shown in Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of her. Equally impressive is Gordon Pinsent's ability to capture the simplicity and good nature of John Frederickson. This is truly a story the entire family can enjoy.

This movie changed my life.

I watched it with my mother after my family up and moved to Kalispell Montana from Northern California. I was born in LA for goodness safe. I survived.

This movie changed me as did this move. Watch it.

The struggles are real. Today as they were back then. This movie makes you want to strive. To beat the odds. Ellen Burston is amazing and Tom Skerritt, he stole my heart.

The scenery and action and animals and rivers and frozen snow... all of it is amazing. And really realistic considering the year this movie came out.

I recommend this movie to all mothers and daughters. Sons and fathers too if you want to see what a man with blind ambition is all about.

This movie is one of the best adventure movies that we've ever watched, as a family. The only thing we did not like was the G-Damn's and a very few other not so nice words...but we say again...very few. This movie is well worth watching and owning. The opening/closing song is also a very catchy one...we love it! If you like the outdoors and also to see that we, as in all of us, aren't the only ones with problems...you will for sure like this exciting and interesting movie.

The best part of this movie is to see that although we have problems in life, when we stick with it, we can overcome them, when it's possible. This movie reminds us of "The Adventures of the Wilderness Family" One, Two and the third one which is called "Mountain Family Robinson" (The family's last name). They are 1970 vintage but are awesome movies, as well. These three were voted the best movies, made by an independent studio, for all of the 1970's. These four movies have a lot of outdoor interests. Both family's have their very scary moments. There are different sorts of tragedies. There is sadness in both of these movies but they are both balanced by the other side of life, as well. All of these are the way we would like to live...away from the city and it's polluted air, foods, medications, allergies and live more like people did, that come from earlier North America. If you watch this movie,you will never be sorry... (Can you tell that this is my first review ever? Ha! Ha!)

A wonderful treasure that you must see. I fell in love with this movie when I was ten years old and saw it on T.V. Twenty years later paid about $80.00 to order one and still love it just as much today. The cast is absolutely excellent in it, and very natural. The cinematography is excellent with beautiful scenery. It really draws you in and you feel like you are a part of Olives life, which was an amazing journey and story of survival. The movie is suitable for the family (just maybe not younger ones as they may become frightened with a couple of scenes) and may help teach todays generation the difficulties of the previous generations, as is shown in the birth, hospital, wilderness, depression, and other scenes throughout. Definitely watch this movie if you get the chance.