Love's Everlasting Courage - Hallmark Channel's second prequel to Love Comes Softly Movie Series

MOVIE REVIEW

Love's Everlasting Courage
the second prequel to "Love Comes Softly"

Previously Known As: Love's Resounding Courage

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: October 1, 2011

*This Movie follows the Love Begins Movie.


CAST:

Wes Brown ... Clark
Julie Mond ... Ellen
Cheryl Ladd ... Clark's Mother, Irene
Bruce Boxleitner ... Clark's Father, Lloyd
Morgan Lily ... Missy
Willow Geer ... Sarah
Tyler Jacob Moore ... Ben
Kirk B.R. Woller ... Bruce Conner
James Eckhouse ... Mr. Harris
Courtney Marmo ... Laura
Andrew Richmond ... Micheal

PLOT:

from Hallmark Channel Press Release:

In the second prequel to “Love Comes Softly,” the highly rated series of “Loves” movies from Hallmark Channel,” when Clark’s beloved wife, Ellen, dies from scarlet fever, he and his daughter, Missy, must find a way to survive this hardship while also saving the barren land from drought. With love and support from family and friends, Clark and Missy endure.

Clark's parents, Irene (Ladd) and Lloyd (Boxleitner) have arrived for a long stay and both are eager to help Clark and Missy in any way they can. Lloyd had some ideas for how to find water on the property, and ultimately, Irene and Lloyd provide a magnanimous gift of love and generosity to their son and granddaughter.

Larry Levinson is the executive producer for Larry Levinson Productions.

Movie Review:

Like many of you... I, too, have read all the Love Comes Softly books by Janette Oke, and loved them all. Course, they are such a completely different story than most of these Made-for-TV movies - that it makes it confusing and disappointing. I don't know why Janette Oke allowed them to change her series.

I adore the characters of Clark and Marty Davis and how their lives and families unfolded in each of the books. I don't understand why each movie couldn't follow the book series - just a bit closer. Using the characters names and changing the rest of the story doesn't count. It seems as if each new Movie - a sweet couple falls in love and then in the next story - one of them becomes a widow, and once again... falls in love.

Course this Movie/story - Love's Everlasting Courage was never really written by Janette Oke - it was only mentioned as a part of Clark's past throughout the book series. So of course why wouldn't they want to create another two sets of movies where : a sweet couple falls in love and then in the next story - one of them becomes a widow, and once again... falls in love, eventually again.

It is an important story - about losing and finding love again and having faith in the Lord to see you through anything. However, throughout this Love Comes Softly Series, this main theme story has been played out so many times - I can hardly count them all.

I knew the character of Ellen would have to pass away for the progression of the story between Clark and Marty to continue; however I still found it to be dreadfully sad. Movies to me, should be uplifting, especially a Hallmark Movie!

Also, where was Cassie, Ellen's Sister? I know everyone keeps asking and wondering where she was. They were very close in the first movie. It just seems odd that she wasn't even mentioned in this second movie.

Highlights in this Movie - Bruce Boxleitner. His acting was real and natural. His scenes with Clark, as Father and son, were some of the best moments in the film, especially in the scenes where they discussed faith and how God is always beside us. Even though, I knew him as an actor, he brought such character of seriousness, and lighthearted laughter, that it made it all seem more authentic.

Another Highlight - The little girl! The first (blonde-haired) girl, who portrayed the character of Missy Davis in the first Love Comes Softly Movie, was absolutely wonderful and incredible - full of personality and spunk! I loved her! This little girl in Love Everlasting Courage was also precious. My only qualm with her was - I wish she had been blonde. I liked the little girl - I just think they should have put a blonde wig on her. Missy has been portrayed, by at least three other characters - as she's grown, and they were all blonde. (Love Comes Softly Movie Followers will recall - At least it wasn't as bad as the character of Belinda, who went from extremely dark brown hair - to very light blonde!) Anyway, the actress who portrayed Missy, Morgan Lily, in this film, did so with such sweet expressions that were absolutely delightful and heartwarming!

All in all, it's a get your tissues ready sort of movie.

See or Skip:

If you have enjoyed the rest of the Love Comes Softly series, you'll want to see this one, as well.

If you, however, are tired of the same sad story being repeated over and over again, then you may want to skip this one.

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*Images provided by: Hallmark Channel - Crown Media Family Networks