Rating: 
Summary: The very first Walton's tv-movie before the tv series began.
Review: It all started with the Earl Hammer Jr. Novel. Then the motion picture Spencer's Mountain (1963) was released. In 1971, a teleplay by Earl Hammer Jr. was made into a tv-movie, The Homecoming--A Christmas Story (1971). In the cast is Academy Award Winner Patricia Neal (as "Olivia Walton"), Richard Thomas (as "John-Boy Walton), Edgar Bergen (without Charlie McCarthy, as "Grandpa Zebb Walton"), Ellen Corby (as "Grandma Walton"), Jon Walmsley (as "Jason"), Judy Norton-Taylor (as "Mary Ellen"), Mary Beth McDonough (as "Erin"), Eric Scott (as "Ben"), David W. Harper (as "Jim-Bob), Kami Cotler (as "Elizabeth") and Andrew Duggan (as "John Walton). Olivia Walton has heard on the radio of a bus crash. She fears her husband and father to all the children was on that bus or is somewhere. She sends John-Boy, who wants to be a writer, out in the cold of the Christmas Eve night to find his father with the help of a neighbor. This tv-movie inspired CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) to make the highly-acclaimed tv series "The Waltons" (1972-1981). All the children, including Richard Thomas, and Ellen Corby as the grandmother continued their roles in the tv series for many years and six reunion movies thereafter.
Reunion tv-movies: A Wedding on Walton's Mountain (1982)
Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain (1982)
A Day of Thanks on Walton's Mountain (1982)
A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion (1993)
A Walton Wedding (1995)
A Walton Easter (1997).
Rating:
Summary: The very first Walton's tv-movie before the tv series began.
Review: It all started with the Earl Hammer Jr. Novel. Then the motion picture Spencer's Mountain (1963) was released. In 1971, a teleplay by Earl Hammer Jr. was made into a tv-movie, The Homecoming--A Christmas Story (1971). In the cast is Academy Award Winner Patricia Neal (as "Olivia Walton"), Richard Thomas (as "John-Boy Walton), Edgar Bergen (without Charlie McCarthy, as "Grandpa Zebb Walton"), Ellen Corby (as "Grandma Walton"), Jon Walmsley (as "Jason"), Judy Norton-Taylor (as "Mary Ellen"), Mary Beth McDonough (as "Erin"), Eric Scott (as "Ben"), David W. Harper (as "Jim-Bob), Kami Cotler (as "Elizabeth") and Andrew Duggan (as "John Walton). Olivia Walton has heard on the radio of a bus crash. She fears her husband and father to all the children was on that bus or is somewhere. She sends John-Boy, who wants to be a writer, out in the cold of the Christmas Eve night to find his father with the help of a neighbor. This tv-movie inspired CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) to make the hgighly-acclaimed tv series The Waltons. All the children, including Richard Thomas, and Ellen Corby as the grandmother continued their roles in the tv series for many years and six reunion movies thereafter.
Rating:
Summary: family morals
Review: My wife and I both grew up on a steady diet of The Waltons. I loved it then and I still have a longing to see it every day or I just feel like it wasn't a good day period. I am happy to say that my 4 kids enjoy watching it also. I can see it in their eyes while they're viewing it. They have that wonderful amazement to their faces and are full of question afterwards. It's the same way it was when I was a kid. We always looked for the moral of the story and I pray that my kids live by those words of wisdom that are so often passed on during each episode. I know I have and I haven't regretted one day of it. No TV show has withstood the test of time the way this series has in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: My absolute favorite Christmas show...
Review: Nothing fails to get me in the Christmas spirit more than "The Homecoming." As other reviewers have indicated, this was a pilot for "The Waltons" and Patricia Neal is absolutely marvelous as Olivia...I just never felt Michael Learned could replace her. In fact, I am really not a fan of "The Waltons" TV series, but this is truly beautiful. I love the backdrop of the Virginia mountains in winter, the characters are lovable as well, and I love the story line. But my absolute favorite aspect of the movie is Patricia Neal as Olivia...she does a great job and is totally believable as a depression era mother from the Appalachians who is trying to keep up the Christmas spirit in her family, although she has some heavy burdens to bear. Neal's portrayal of Olivia somewhat "harder," some might say, than Michael Learned's version...but this is really why it adds that extra bit of realism (I always though Michael Learned was a bit too sugary and had the "wrong" kind of southern accent for this role.) In any case, I *highly* recommend this to put you in that Christmas mood. Truly heartwarming.
Rating:
Summary: A depression X-mas story that is suitable for all.
Review: Patricia Neal leads a familiar cast of characters who wait pensively for the delayed arrival of their father on Christmas Eve on an icy evening on Walton's Mountain. Although the family remains cheerful and excited about the impending holiday, moods wax philisophical and a young boy mustquicky become a man as he goes in search of his missing dad. Patricia Neal is unforgettable as Olivia Walton and her fans must agree that this is her finest performance since "The Subject was Roses". Richard Thomas also shines as the restless adolescent, John-Boy Walton who is reluctant to let on that his hearts desire has led him not to a practical trade, as his father desires, but to acadamia where he can write. Notable performances by Edgar Bergan as the grandfather and by Ellen Corby as his wife along with a nice job by William Windom as a depression-era Robin Hood and Cleavon Little as a preacher man who works for two old ladies who make and sell bootleg whiskey make this a holiday treasure that will will not be soon forgotten.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful film with real Christmas magic.
Review: Please ignore all the homophobic "wholesome traditional family values" bull that some viewers have chosen to write. That throws people off of some things that they shouldn't miss and this is surely one of them. If you were lucky enought to see this as a child you will never forget the beautiful visuals used for Virginia mountain life. Patricial Neal is heartbreaking as Olivia Walton, a role that Micheal Lerned made her own on the series. This is a must for me at Christmas to get me in the proper mood. It is like magic.
Rating:
Summary: CHISTMAS WOULDN'T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT IT!
Review: SINCE AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER, CHRISTMAS HAS ALWAYS MEANT LOVE, HEART-WARMING JOY AND THE CLOSENESS OF FAMILY...AND JUST BY CHANCE THOSE ARE THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF THIS WONDERFUL FILM. RECENTLY I HAD THE HONOR OF MEETING FILM STAR RICHARD THOMAS (JOHNBOY WALTON) AND THANKED HIM FOR BRINGING ALIVE SUCH A WONDERFUL FILM FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. I MENTIONED TO HIM THAT I COULDN'T SIT THROUGH A SCREENING WITHOUT TEARS COMING TO MY EYES. HIS RESPONSE TO ME WAS "THEN IT LOOKS LIKE WE DID OUR JOB."
Rating:
Summary: Pilot for The Waltons
Review: Starring Richard Thomas and Patricia Neal, this made-for-TV-movie was written by Earl Hamner and led to the popular series, "The Waltons." The stories were based on Hamner's childhood.(Note: This movie features a somewhat different cast than did the series. While the Walton children are the same, many of the other adult roles in this film, except Grandma Walton played by the late Ellen Corby, were recast for the series.) A homespun tale, the movie focuses on rural life during the Great Depression and the anxiety a family feels one Christmas when their beloved Father is overdue after being forced to travel to the city to find work and earn money for his family's survival. Each of the characters reacts to his departure in different ways. Ultimately, the oldest son, John-Boy, portrayed by Richard Thomas, takes important steps to manhood and toward his ultimate career as a writer. This film has a harsher, more real feel than did the series, and tackles such difficult subjects as racial bigotry and the economic underclass. The great Patricia Neal is spectacular in her portrayal of the mother. Tougher than the portrayal that came later by the gifted Michael Learned, Neal's Olivia Walton is a genuine force of nature who rarely displays her softer side. Life is very difficult, but love is always present in the Walton home. If you've never seen this movie, you owe it to yourself to view a more unvarnished, less "suburban" rendition of life in this beloved family. A scene in which little Elizabeth, who desperately wants a doll for Christmas, receives one -- with a cracked and broken face -- from a "charity" Missionary only after having to "perform" scriptures, is so raw that it hurts. "It's dead," the little girl sobs into her brother's comforting arms. This film is anything but dead. There is real life in every panel that reaffirms true family relationships and the Christmas spirit without being heavy-handed. Look also for a gifted supporting performance by the talented William Windom, who plays a Depression-era Robin Hood. If ever a TV-movie deserved to be released on DVD, this is it.
Rating: 
Summary: Christmas movie you must own!
Review: The DVD version of "The Homecoming" is beautiful. I have compared it to the VHS copy I have and the DVD has a much sharper picture, better color, good sound (although, stereo would have been nice), and as an added treat - the original television promo that proceeded the movie. It was probably only used once or twice. I was stunned to see it - it was never included on the VHS - and it makes viewing the movie even more nostalgic. My only real complaints are that the package says that it has subtitles - it does NOT, only closed-captioning - and no extras what-so-ever. There must be something besides the original intro promo. Anyway, this is a must-have movie that can be viewed anytime of the year but especially at Christmas. It still gets me even after 30+ years. Oh, and Paramount has rated this TV movie as PG for brief mild language. Please, Mary Ellen calls the other kids piss-ants - which is NOT a swear word. This is most definitely a G-rated film fit for ALL AGES. Share it with your family. I gave the DVD a rating of 4 - the movie earns a 5, but the lack of extras and no subtitles drops it to a 4. Still worth buying!
Rating:
Summary: Memory Lane
Review: The family holiday classic that launched the TV series "The Waltons". Patricia Neal and Richard Thomas stand out in this feel good family fare.
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