The Green Promise

Walter Brennan's character was so infuriating, I'm not sure it actually helped the enjoyment of the movie. One of those stubborn old farmers set in his ways self destructing his farm and family because he don't want to listen to new ideas. Thankfully, little Natalie Wood helped ease the feel of the experience as the ambitious little farm girl. Watch it for her.

The movie was OK, but young Natalie Wood really shined in this one.

Enjoyable family drama never finds a solid unified theme or story arc for any of its characters, preferring to meander around some interesting notions and ideas (even an environmentalist angle towards the climax). Brennan is commanding as ever, however his character is too ugly at times to be endearing, and not ugly enough to set up any interesting dynamics -- the movie is stolen by Wood, who is an absolute delight as the headstrong youngest daughter (and is the most interesting character).