Based on Janette Oke's best-selling book series, and directed by Michael Landon Jr., Loves Comes Softly is inspired story-telling for the whole family. Marty and Aaron Claridge (Katherine Heigl and Oliver Macready) t... more »ravel west in search of new opportunity. But when tragedy strikes and Marty is suddenly widowed, the young woman must face the rugged terrain, bleak weather, and life among strangers-alone. That is until a handsome widower named Clark Davis ( Dale Midkiff) suggests a platonic "marriage of convenience" until Marty can return home. As the months pass, through, Marty and Clark discover an unexpected new love where there was once only loss.« less
Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 6/15/2022...
This is a wonderful movie about life as a pioneer and a beautiful love story. I know Katherine Heigl normally does comedy, but she's great as the widow of this movie and does an excellent acting job.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wayne F. (WWIIpfc) from COLORADO SPGS, CO Reviewed on 5/24/2015...
It's a wonderful love story, and so realistic. It could happen just that way. This is the first in a series of 10.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Charity L. (charityl) Reviewed on 2/12/2015...
Love this series of movies based on the books by Janette Oke. They don't go exactly by the books but overall very well done. Only thing is I wish they had kept the actors and actresses the same throughout the whole thing. The only one who stays the same is Dale Midkiff. He is the best part in it and plays the wise father perfectly. Great family film but be advised it is true to the books with people who die, etc. Not shown in any detail but easy to figure out what happens. The faith is a strong part of the characters lives but not preachy.
4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Cassandra T. (cassandraterry) from ORANGE, TX Reviewed on 8/7/2013...
Amazing movie! We already have the sequel on its way. A tear jerker so have the tissues handy. But a very good movie worth watching!
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Jessica S. from ANDERSON, IN Reviewed on 8/8/2012...
This movie is a very heart touching movie. I would watch it again and again.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
John B. (FilmFanwithCat) from MENLO PARK, CA Reviewed on 3/23/2012...
In the Late 80s/early 90s, Dale Midkiff was in a CW , TV Series:
"Time Traxx" . . . i really enjoyed the kind of Man His character was in that Series.
i'd look for this film , thru NetFlix, probably, because i think He's a Good Actor,
and because of that decent role He played in "Time Traxx".
i invite You who read this to search for episodes of that enjoyable Series.
i'd , also, seen Him do an episode of "Criminal Minds", from a few years back (i guess). He portrayed a man who became an alcoholic because of a Traffic incident
, on a late night, and lonely stretch of highway.
He thought He had caused an accident where another vehicle went off the road.
He read of the accident in the newspaper. The occupants of the car had died.
As it turned-out, following some investigating by the B.A.U. ~~the heroes of
"Criminal Minds"~~ He was Not responsible for the Deaths. He was mistaken,
because he had been drunk-driving & misinterpreted what occured.
i like Him in this role, too.
i'm glad to see him starring in this decent film.
My guess is that he is genuinely a good person. He is a good actor.
~~john , san francisco, california
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
TOBY M. (Tobias) from MEDFORD, OR Reviewed on 10/16/2011...
IT WAS A BIT SLOW...
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Michelle C. from ARCADIA, FL Reviewed on 2/7/2011...
My teen daughter really loves these movies. I like them because they don't have all the bad language and stuff you find in a lot of movies these days.
4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Candi A. from SUWANEE, GA Reviewed on 1/31/2010...
This was the first one I watched in the series and I enjoyed it so much that I have ordered the others! No foul language or sex...just a good Christian movie which happens to have a great story to tell.
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sherri H. (MrsH) from ROME, GA Reviewed on 11/19/2007...
Really great Christian movie based upon the popular novels.
4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Clean, family-friendly love story that will warm your heart!
randomartco | Greater Washington D.C. area | 08/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw this film on the Hallmark Channel, and TIVO'd it to watch: I have since watched it a few times and will buy the DVD when it's released! Based on a novel by Christian historical fiction writer Janette Oke, "Love Comes Softly," centers on Marty, a young woman who travels West with her husband. When tragedy strikes this newly married couple, grief-striken Marty must find a way to survive the harsh land that she is surrounded by.
For those of you worried about content: this is a family-friendly film! There is no language that I can recall, no violence, and no adult themes. There is one scene where a man accidentally walks in on a woman taking a bath (nothing is shown), some squabbling between two people, and a woman preparing a live chicken for a meal, but other than that, I could not find anything objectionable.
This is a cute and family-friendly story, that promotes the themes of morality, love, honor, courage, faith, etc."
God Works in Mysterious Ways
Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 08/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Love Comes Softly," based on a Janette Oke novel, is a heartwarming 19th century tale that will use up several hankies. Marty and her husband travel west, searching for the perfect place to raise a family; when her husband has a fatal accident, Marty finds herself alone, with winter coming, and with no way of getting home. She enters into a marriage of convenience, and faces many trials as she gets used to her new environment and the strangers in her life.
Katherine Heigl is lovely as Marty, and Dale Midkiff excellent as Clark, the older, strong Christian man she marries. As his daughter Missie, Skye McCole Bartusian is an exceptional little actress, and in smaller parts, Theresa Russell and Corbin Bensen are terrific as the kind of stalwart people that pioneered this nation. Written and directed by Michael Landon Jr. for Hallmark, this is a way above average film made for the small screen, with endearing characters, and spectacular scenery, shot on location in El Dorado County, California, by cinematographer James Wrenn.
A scene that is memorable is when Clark takes Marty to his "church," a bench that faces a beautiful view, and explains his faith to her. It is so well written, and truly the core of this award-winning film. Total running time is 88 minutes, and the DVD gives one the option of full screen or widescreen. A sequel was made to this story, "Love's Enduring Promise," in 2004.
"The truth of God's love is not that He allows bad things to happen; it's His promise He'll be there with us, when they do."
"
Love comes softly,
cyndie fallen | Illinois, | 09/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was the most refreshing love story that I have seen in a very long time. I don't know when I have enjoyed a movie as much. I have viewed it 3 times and wait anxiously to see it again with my friend. The story line was just excellent, a woman who lost all her dreams and a man with such a tender heart. No sex, no violence, no cursing, just pure and refreshing. Wow. I thouroughly enjoyed this lovely film."
Does justice to Janette Oke
V. Herrera | 11/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I was a child, my grandmother gave me a book by Janette Oke named "Love Comes Softly". This began a shared love for her stories. When each new book came out, we would read it and call each other up so we could talk about it. We both agreed that her stories are full of memorable characters that you instantly fall in love with and relate to. When I saw this movie on the shelf at Blockbuster I almost fell over because I was so excited. When I watched it, I became even more elated. The movie is well acted and true to the book it was based on. Even more rare in films these days, it depicts the Christian faith without falling into stereotyping, prejudice or creating one-dimensional characters. My only criticism would be, it was TOO SHORT! And my only disappointment is that my grandmother is no longer on this earth to enjoy it too."
This love may come softly but it will hit you hard.
W. J. Buckner | Ellenboro, North Carolina | 11/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Trust me, you're going to love this movie. It is perfectly wonderful. It has all the goodies of a fine romance novel as well as a delicious dose of laughter at times when you can't seem to see the screen from the tears in your eyes. I loved this movie as well as I did the book and we all know how hard it is to love both. They missed nothing in this movie. Janette Oke must be standing beside the director on this one. I hope they do the whole Love Comes Softly Series! This is a surprise 5 stars! It will hit you hard, where it counts...in the heart.