What makes it different from others?

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Inspired by frontiersman Daniel Boone, brawny John Mack Brown (as Berk Jarvis) decides to lead a group of settlers from relatively civilized Virginia to the great wilderness of Kentucky. Before embarking, Mr. Brown takes attractive Eleanor Boardman (as Diony Hall) as his wife. The 1770s terrain is rough, but the bloodthirsty Native Americans "Injuns" are rougher. It seems like they scalp someone close to Brown. Ouch. Brown is off to seek justice and leaves Ms. Boardman without a man around the house..."The Great Meadow" would have looked much better as a "silent" movie, with sound effects and incidental dialogue. The director of several silent classics, Charles Brabin is clearly having trouble accommodating the changes in style necessitated by the new microphones. So is most of the cast. Brown, who had been fine in silent features, understandably moved from tenuous dramatic actor to "B" western movie star. Boardman, who had been exceptional in silent features, couldn't get a break and retired too early.**** The Great Meadow (1/24/31) Charles Brabin ~ Johnny Mack Brown, Eleanor Boardman, Gavin Gordon, Lucille LaVerne

This is an interesting period piece in which an extremely predictable and none-too-deep plot is partially salvaged by compelling history and several captivating sequences, such as when the would-be settlers are nearing their destination and have one final mountain to traverse in a torrential downpour. There are many small, thoughtful touches throughout that illustrate the trials and tribulations of early American pioneers, a group and era that are not often explored. Whether it's a close- up moving shot of the pioneers' and their animals bare feet and worn-out pants after months of journey or a static, minute-long shot of Diony and Evan trying to close and secure their cabin door during a blizzard, the little touches are treasures. Early scenes that dwell longer than expected on Diony's emotional farewells to her mother and sister, and small moments while parting from her father and brother, are also surprisingly moving and impressive, especially for a little pre-code B-movie. These little moments counterbalance the film's just-as-frequent formulaic scenes. Most of the performances are overcooked to one degree or another, but the accents seem surprisingly authentic and the cast works really well together, neutralizing any negative effects of overacting. In the end, it's a welcome, thoroughly enjoyable tribute to frontier families and the brave pioneer spirit of early America.

One doesn't watch this movie for it's somewhat uninspired acting, especially by Johnny Mack Brown, who no matter what film he was in only seemed to have one acting style. However, the realistic portrayal of the hardships faced by early settlers in the 18th century is the real reason to view this film. Those problems included weather, terrain, American Indians, and internal disagreements.The only two failures of this verisimilitude are Eleanor Boardman's pristine complexion throughout the movie and the hero's decision to leave his family and the other settlers and single-handedly take revenge on the leader of the Indian tribe that had been attacking the fort and surrounding settlements.

Far from boring, the opening minutes of the film take the time to introduce us to the lives of Virginians in 1777. It helps establish how folks lived in an established colony. A base line. The film then covers the trials leading to a new country. This contrast is extreme. The climb of the mountain is one of the great sequences in film history. The idyll on the other side is rewarding but still packed with danger from both the Native Americans and the weather. I don't believe any other film quite captures how tenuous life was back then.The dialog is a bit ripe but the actors deliver it with such conviction that I accepted it as the way folks talked in the 1700s. I became invested in them, particularly Gavin Gordon and Elenor Boardman. John Mack Brown simply plays himself. The Great Meadow deserves to be much better known. Turner Classic Movies should show this in the 8 PM spot with commentary by Robert Osborn.