When Calls The Heart: Trials Of The Heart, DVD review

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• Actors: Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Lori Loughlin, Jack Wagner
• Directors: Neill Fearnley
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Shout! Factory
• DVD Release Date: May 26, 2015
• Run Time: 88 minutes

SYNOPSIS:

(From Amazon)

Elizabeth Thatcher (Krakow) is an independent, strong-willed teacher who has foregone the life of the big city and found a job, a home (and romance with a handsome Mountie named Jack) in the small frontier town of Coal Valley. But when she learns that her mother has taken ill, she returns to Hamilton, her hometown, with Jack as her escort. 
Once in the comparably opulent Hamilton, Elizabeth and Jack are confounded by Jack’s ne’er-do-well brother and Elizabeth’s former suitor, Charles Kensington. But it is Elizabeth’s father, William, who drives a wedge between them when he suggests to Jack that Charles would be a better match for his well-bred daughter.






My thoughts:

Inspired by Janette Oke's novels about a well bred city born teacher moving to the rugged Canadian frontier, this series brings to mind Little House on the Prairie. Producer Michael Landon Jr. follows in his father's footsteps (Producer/Director of the 1980's sitcom) with this new series, always family oriented and a little gem in a otherwise blase world of cinematography.

It is a relief to see such movies for any family and the charismatic relationships makes even adults look forward to see what happens next.

That said, this episode surprised us as new actors were introduced to replace established characters and along with inaccuracy in details such as period costumes (few women wore such colours or even ventured outside without hat/head covering) and too many 'newcomers' to remember, this episode disappointed. The series might well soon fall in the 'deja vu' category.

Still, I enjoyed the chemistry between our favourite Mountie and spunky teacher and I too cannot resist wondering what happens next in the series!

4 Stars.

From director Michael Landon Jr., son of the late television legend Michael Landon, who has been in the film business for over 25 years.  With two of the highest rated films in the history of the Hallmark channel, and several top ten releases targeted to the Christian market, Michael has become known for creating heartfelt, inspiring films that connect to the family.  He has developed and/or produced, directed, and written screenplays for Fox, CBS, NBC, Disney, Sony, Lifetime, and others.

About Word Entertainment:

A leader in the music industry for over 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this DVD from  EDIFY/MEDIA as part of the movie's promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.