The Homecoming: A Christmas Story

The holiday season during the start of the Great Depression is looking rather bleak for the Walton family -- there's no money for presents, barely enough food, and worst of all, Daddy isn't home. Although he promised to return from his work in time for the festivities, it's now Christmas Eve and there's no sign of him.

Patricia Neal plays the hard-luck, tough mama Olivia (later replaced in the tv series by gentler Michael Learned), trying to hold together a homefront of seven children and her in-laws singlehandedly. Eldest son John-Boy (Richard Thomas) privately yearns to become a writer -- a dream he guards within his soul, lest it be mocked or discouraged as impractical by his poverty-stricken, trade-embracing parents.

In one memorable scene, the entire family -- and especially little Elizabeth -- learns a valuable lesson about charity when a missionary comes to the mountain bearing holiday "gifts."

While some viewers -- myself included -- aren't as fond of this movie as we might have been otherwise because it doesn't include all of the cast we grew to love during the long-running tv series, "The Homecoming" is indeed a classic, heartwarming holiday movie.

This was a perfect edition to my Christmas movie collection. Great for children also. It brings you back to the true meaning of Christmas without all the materialism.

The story will rewarm your heart to life and keep the true spirit of Christmas going.

Merna

Pocket of Pearls: A 30-day pocket workbook to start hearing a softer voice inside of you!

When I was a joungster I always injoyed watching the waltons. The homecoming i can't remember seeing on televison. It was geting use to seeing people in the movie like Patricia Neal instead of Micheal Learned or Ralph Waite. I injoyed it very much I hope others do also. I hope to find others waltons movie on dvd besides the clasical serries like A waltons Easter from 1997 - A Waltons Wedding 1995 - A Waltons Thanksgiving Re-union 1993

This brings back so many found memories of watching the wonderful shows of the Waltons. But this first one is so stronge in family, faith, pulling together and lots of love. I now have all my grandchildern loving it as much as I do. It should be in everyones DVD collection.

I'm going to order the Homecoming when we get back from vacation. I've looked for it every Christmas for the past ten years or more. Its not being shown on television for some reason. Does anybody know why? Too political perhaps?

We loved watching it when it was shown in the 70's.