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Product Description

In 1935, an 8-year-old orphaned boy is sent to live in the Tennessee mountains with his grandparents. He doesn't yet know that he is half Cherokee, on his grandmother's side. As he learns about life and the Cherokee "way" from his grandparents, Little Tree's sensitivity to nature and to others grows.

At first it might seem easy to dismiss this movie as hokey, especially when Little Tree's Scottish grandfather teaches him to make whiskey and he befriends a dog. But the film gains emotional power when Little Tree becomes close to an older Cherokee who tells him about the Trail of Tears. When the government places Little Tree in an Indian school, where he is abused physically and psychologically, the tough issue of the forced assimilation of Native Americans isn't glossed over. Excellent performances and a gripping story make this well worth watching with children ages 8 and up.

An interesting side note: Forrest Carter, who wrote the book the movie is based on, was a one-time KKK member and speechwriter for George Wallace. It's hard to imagine how a former white supremacist could write such a moving tale about racism. Despite the controversy surrounding Carter, this sensitive film deserves to be taken on its own terms. --Elisabeth Keating

Customer Reviews:

• bad movie
  This movie was horrible. My five children ages 7-15 all walked away from it after 45 minutes. My wife and I continued to watch it for another 15 minutes, then we couldn't take it anymore and shut it off. The movie critisises on numerous occasions Christians and also white people in general, and the "grandpa" blasphemes and curses throughout the movie. Also, grandpa makes illegal whiskey and teaches his grandson the "trade" and also teaches him to lie to cover it up. If there was a 0 star rating, that is what I would give this movie. Do not waste your time....more info
• DVD
  Excellent site to order from. Amazon is one of the best out there and I will continue to order from them....more info
• A gem!
  This is such bitter-sweet film! The gentleness of the life-style of the Cherokee/White family in the hills of Tennessee. Then the poignant up-rooting of "Little Tree" from his white Grand'Pa and Cherokee Grand'Ma 's home, to be sent away to a white boarding school, to make all Indian children forget all about being Indians....Another dark mark on American history.
  Wonderful cast, which includes Graham Green, one of my many favorites.
  
  A lovely film, which took me totally by surprise. For anyone who likes "gentle", this is a must!...more info
• Fast delivery!
  I recieved this DVD almost a week earlier than I was told. I was very impressed. My grandma was happy too because she got it right when she needed it. Good job!!!...more info
• Exceptional movie
  This movie is a must-see because of the lessons it imparts with such emotional intensity & love...one of the greatest movies I've ever seen & the scenery is spectacular. The cast is exceptional & I wish we had more movies like this one...it should be required viewing for all families.. ...more info
• Great Family Film!
  Really enjoyed this film. Story is touching and educational. Fabulous scenery of Tennessee mountains. Sad, funny, suspenseful. The little boy does a fabulous job acting. I love to see the stories of Native Americans that hold on to their heritage despite having to assume the white man's culture. For those with children, this is definitely something a 8 year old & above could also learn from & enjoy....more info
• Very Touching
  Wonderful movie! So much is true about how the white man treated the Indian. Forcing the young lad to go to a Cherokee School all because he was on the rolls, instead of letting his Grandmother home school him was not right. Heartwarming, and so moving. I would highly reccomend this movie....more info
• Sad
  This movie communicates well some of the heart break of "normalizing" American Indian children, especially those with mixed blood. This is a heartwarming story with a great plot. It teaches many lessons for those open to learning. It is a glimpse at social/welfare system that believes that certain material advantages make a child safer and happier. It has a blind eye for the value of love, support, family bonds, simple living and nature in the growth and development of a child. A devoted American Indian made the greatest difference in the outcome of the story. An excellent addition to my American Indian related movies. ...more info
• A moving, thought provoking "family "movie.
  The movie was funny, sad, and entertaining. The two best things about this movie were 1. It was real and not all"happy ending" 2.There were lessons in it to be learned by children and adults.The scenery was magnificent....more info
• Assorted cliches and stereotypes
  I'll give this movie two stars because it teems with beautiful photography. Otherwise, it teems mostly with clich¨¦s and stereotypes: mountain folks are either dumb white trash of the fanatically religious and/or ragged racist kind, or wise white Indians. Indians are deeply spiritual, almost magical people who move silently, disappear in the blink of an eye, talk to animals, and read minds over large distances. And so on and so forth.
  
  Throughout the movie I kept wondering what the point of the film was (other than showing me pretty pictures of mountains, log cabins, woods, an assortment of animals, free-spirited mountain-dwellers and freaky people in church).
  
  The plot touched a whole range of issues but explored none of them in depth. This was neither a story about growing up during the depression era, nor about life in the Apalachians; neither about about being an orphan, nor about a struggle for identity; neither about friendship (of course Little Tree's little girlfriend had to be blond and barefoot and have an abusive father), nor about relationships. It tried to be all of those things and more, and that made it superficial and unsatisfactory.
  
  Although the movie was supposed to be about Little Tree's education, we learn almost nothing about this education. He was given a brief summary of the history of his people (who were brave and stoic) and a distillery demonstration; tried his hand at chopping wood (at which he failed) and whiskey running (literally); learned how to read (and maybe to write) with the help of grandma and her dictionary (bound in aardvark skin, I suppose) - and that was it. Of course he didn't learn anything during his stint in boarding school because he was locked up in the attic.
  
  However, grandma, grandpa, and Graham Greene's character made sure that Little Tree turned into a very spiritual person whose main goal as an adult - after, and I'm paraphrasing here, "riding with the Navajos" and "getting caught up in a couple of wars" - was to "catch up" with grandma and grandpa and Graham Greene's character in heaven (instead of, say, dating girls, getting married, having children or other such nonsense).
  
  Last but not least, I must say that I found grandpa's trade offensive. Why of all things did it have to be a whiskey still? To counteract the stereotype of the "drunken Indian"? ...more info
• Politically Correct
  I rented this movie and was initially delighted with the cinamotography and actors. Not long into the film the thrust of the message became overt: all things Indian are wise, good and wonderful; all things white or Christian are hypocritic, laughable and not to be trusted. The writer commited the same atrocity on whites and Christians that was done to American Indians by the U.S. government and white settlers that were biggoted, selfish and downright evil. You don't right wrongs by portraying history incorrectly or by blanket statements that condem all. In the end, what could have been a good movie became predictable, a lie and boring. ...more info
• A gem in disguise
  Unfortunately disguised as a 'Family Favorite,' this actually a multi-layered, gorgeous, complex Canadian-made film with brilliant acting by James Cromwell, Tantoo Cardinal (in her best mama/grandma role ever!), and particularly a very impressive little Joseph Ashton (who later in his brief teen career unfortunately disappeared into the dregs of Nickelodeon). The outdoor cinematography is subtle but stunning.
  
  Another note: the soundtrack (The Education Of Little Tree: Music From The Motion Picture) by Mark Isham is AMAZING. It's wholly tragic that it's now out of circulation...but do pick up a used copy. Truly beautiful and emotive Appalachian-inspired fiddling. There's no traditional score--just one well-crafted song after another....more info
• Excellent Movie
  The Education of Little Tree is a great emtotional and clean movie with a great story. ...more info
• Hidden Treasure
  I found this film by accident and it is extremely well made and very moving tale. It doesn't have any cliches and very new age in its treatment of life. You will be happy and sad as Little Tree spends time both with and away from his grandparents. The first part of the film before he goes to the boarding school seems compelete in itself. I was surprised by the second part and it is somewhat disturbing but ultimately, resolves itself. ...more info
• Wonderful Movie
  This movie is very heartwarming about love and family but also heartbreaking....more info
• Beautiful Movie
  This movie is beautiful to look at and also has a beautiful respect for the Cherokee culture. James Cromwell is an excellent actor and as usual is wonderful in this film. Joesph Ashton is adorable as Little Tree. Tantoo Cardinal (though looking a bit too young and healthy for the role) and Graham Greene also give great performances. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of Little Tree being taught the moonshine business but in the context of the story it does fit and is not offensive. I suppose someone could be offended by the portrayal of some of the mountain people especially in the church scenes but again it fits in to the storyline and has some historical accuracy. I have never read the book and was unaware of any controversy about the author until I read other people's reviews and I hope the book's author's affiliations don't keep anyone from enjoying this film. ...more info
• Touching Film - Think Of Others While Looking At The Dog Star Tonight
  This is a beautiful small film. It was an interesting enjoyable hour and 50 minutes. The young boy, Little Tree, is simply fantastic. Grandpa is played to perfection. Grandma feels a bit too young, she must be played by a younger actress dressed and made up to look older. Willow John is simply fantastic.
  
  Great cast, lovely setting, heart warming message, calm slow deliberate editing, and decent production - what is not to like about this film. The one tiny chink in the armour is that the story has been told a few times. And there's a sense that we should be in awe about nature and the education. It's a tiny nit to pick, in an otherwise really good movie.
  
  The story is pretty simple. It will make you cry. The director has managed to make the viewer care that much about his characters. But you will also feel wonderful at the very end. And maybe, you'll look up at the Dog Star and think of people that have passed away or that you are separated from.
  
  Yes, I cried about 5 times. Would I watch this movie again, yes. My family disappered after the first half hour, but they were in the mood for some silly comedy. A beautiful small film.
  
  The film is PG, I think the MPAA warning at the beginning said - old fashioned discipline. The boy is 11 in the film. Everything that happens is appropriate for anyone that age to see. There is a moment where a father takes his belt to his daughter. And there's a bit of strong language here and there. But it's a grandpa teaching his grandson the ways of the world. Well, forewarned to make your choices.
  
  The DVD has no special features, only the movie and scene selections.
  ...more info
• This is a must see!
  My husband made me watch this and at first I was not interested but then after a few minutes I was hooked. This is a must see. You get a good insight of just what things were like in the 30's and how the children of American Indians were treated. Don't pass this one up....more info
• Gripping
  These days I watch the first scenes of a DVD rather cautiously, waiting to see if I'll get hooked. To my surprise, this DVD was totally absorbing: the beauty of the countryside and the even-handed portrayal of story and characters.
  
  I actually liked the way the child got involved in the moonshining action, showing how it's hard to define activities as "good" or "bad." Many citizens believe the moonshine laws did more harm than good, like the war on drugs today.
  
  I also liked the way the movie gave us an ending that was satisfying but not sugary. Bad things happen. The child was learning to differentiate between nature's cruelty and invented human cruelty.
  
  And I don't think the whites were stereotyped as bad. The grandfather and his fellow moonshiners were a great bunch. The church scene was a little extreme but offered some much-needed comic relief.
  
  Why four stars and not five? After watching the video, I learned the author's story, and I felt a little cheated. But after reading reviews by native Americans and Cherokees, it's reassuring to know the film managed to tell an accurate story. When I lived in Alaska, I heard many horror stories about the way governmet treated Native Americans. No surprises on that score....more info
• It's good, but the book is better.
  You'll miss the importance of the Native spiritual beliefs if you just watch this DVD. It is made for entertainment, and does well along that line. But, when Little Tree listens to what the tree says...well, that isn't included in the movie, just the book.
  
  The whole reason behind the name Little Tree is in the book....more info
• The Education of Little Tree
  This was a well written and portrayed glimpse into what life was like for a Native American boy as well as the values and tradition of the family. It was authentic as far as it went and something all children and adults who think the treatment of the Native children was not harsh should see. I would highly recommend this to everyone intested in true history, not whitewashed half-truths....more info
• This is one of the few movies I would like to own.
  Moving story, gorgeous scenery, endearing characters, funny, sad, thought provoking. I watched it twice in two days and I'd like to see it again tomorrow!...more info
• Having lived
  Having experienced life as 1/4 Cherokee, and being ridiculed because my family's history is from the eastern part of Kentucky, I thought this was a fine portrayal of people and families, getting back to what should be most important in life. Children, tradition, and the true values of life itself. The author and writer has accomplished a great task in providing us with a true portrayal of the good and the hard times, that we, as People, no matter what race, should never take for granted....more info
• Excellent Family Movie
  This true story (with some input from Hollywood) is a heart warmer and at times heart wrenching, but well worth the watch. Little Tree's life as a Cherokee in the Tennessee mountains opens our eyes to many things, not the least of which is how tough life can be. Robbed of his parents at a very young age, he rebounds through the love of his grandparents. Keep the kleenexes handy, you will shed a tear at some of his trials. Great acting all around and beautifully filmed....more info
• Life from another perspective
  This movie is very powerful. One to make you stop and think how intolerant we have been in the past. I felt that it accurately portrayed the book. (Something that very few movies can pull off.) It allows you to see the "Trail of Tears" in a whole new perspective. The acting is well done, and the profound, homespun wisdom should make us all miss a venerable, aged loved one that has passed onto their own "understanding." If you want a good heart-warming story that will bring the tears to you and teach your children sound morals, it doesn't get much better than this. WATCH IT!...more info
• Wonderful
  The scenry was terrific. I've live in those mountains before and this movie truly captured the spirit that dwells there. It is very difficult to put into words. Apparantly Dana from Sharpsburg, GA doesn't like to face the reality of our "glorious" American heritage of rancid and destructive white European religious arrogance and racism. The movie really makes you wonder why did we as a people ever dismiss the native American way of life so out-of-hand. This is a keeper....more info
• A glimpse into a different world.
  This film will resonate with anyone who has ever felt caught between competing world views, whether cultural, "racial", parental . . . I am still stunned to think of the repression - to say the least - that was imposed on Native American tradition and religion for so long by a government that touted freedom of religion as one of the most basic rights of all. That being said, this film has great charm, an uplifting ending, and wonderful performances to energize it. ...more info
• The Education of Little Tree
  I was very disappointed with this film. With all the talented actors in the cast, I don't understand why it was so blah. I read and enjoyed the book, and was looking forward to the movie, but was mega disappointed....more info
• Education of Little Tree
  A tremendous story in spite of the fact that it is fiction. Now you know why so many schools have it on their reading lists. The screen script follows the book with some cutting....more info
• Nice for the Kids
  I enjoyed this movie.
  
  The acting was very good. The setting was effective and the theme appropriate.
  
  A little boy who is part Cherokee is taken away by his full-blood grandmother and his white, but Cherokee-by-choice, grandfather. They love him with all their hearts and they teach him who he is and where he comes from. He finds love and security and happiness. They are poor, and Little Tree encounters some prejudice, but he also learns quickly that this prejudice has nothing to do with how we are inside. He learns compassion. He learns about death.
  
  Then the authorities get in the way and carry Little Tree off to "Indian School." There he is institutionalized, his head is shaved and he is "disinfected." He is also stripped of his Indian identity, but among the other Indian kids in the school he quickly finds it again. He is vigorously punished for telling the truth about nature in class.
  
  Then magic happens. The deus ex machina enters the movie and he is swept back into his Indian life in the hills with his loving grandparents. A better ending would have been that he overcomes the horrors of life in "Indian School" and grows up to be a strong man because of the awesome values his grandparents taught him, but that ending wasn't used.
  
  This is a great movie for kids who'd like to know about this subject more. I enjoyed the great acting from everyone and the beautiful setting. ...more info
• This is a heart warming movie that is a must to be seen!
  Despite the fact that the book on which the movie was based was a fraud (sold as an autobiography, which it wasn't), this movie was wonderfully done. Growing up in the East TN and Southwest Virginia mountains with a Scotch/Irish Grandpa and a part Cherokee Grandma, I saw a lot of our family in this movie. It is true to the depression era of East Tennessee (and yes, a lot of children participated in moonshining). I highly recommend the movie to everyone. It's a shame that movies like this have to be made in Canada, but other than "Smoke Signals" so far all the truer stories of Native American People are. Maybe one day our country will accept our heritage and do this....more info
• Magnificent movie, heart warming, true to life!!!!!!!!
  I am a Cherokee woman and I loved this movie, it was very true to the stories that I was told by my mother who attended an Indian boarding school, our relatives also walked on the trail where they cried. The acting was superb and the story was great. I found it quite entertaining and heart warming. James Cromwell, Tantoo Cardinel, Graham Green, and Joseph Ashton deserve recognition for a job well done on a story that warms the cockles of your heart.......more info
• Answering hate with hate
  We were so disappointed with the Education of Little Tree movie. The Cherokee were treated sympathetically, but the whites were stereotyped as badly as native Americans have been in the past. The language and subjects addressed made it inappropriate for children and we had to fast forward through more than one portion. Most upsetting was the presentation of fundamentalist Christians. The characters were so one- dimensional they were like paperdolls. It was clear that the film makers do not understand or care to know the Scotch-Irish people. Well, at least the scenery was breathtaking....more info
• LIFE'S EXPERIENCES
  Nineteen hundred and thirty-five was a pivotal year for the eight year old boy called Little Tree. It was the time when his mountain grandfather and Cherokee grandmother came to retrieve him from a relative determined to break his spirit. These two remarkable people take their grandson into the mountains where his real education begins. Reminising about that time, the adult Little Tree's voice shares with us his story, his heritage and his determination to be the person that he is regardless of the hardships which come.

  Listen to his story as we're taken into the Smokey Mountains of Tennesee where some Cherokees were fortunate to hide after being on the Trail of Tears. Hear Willow John's tale of his people that he passes down to Little Tree. In sharing the Cherokee story, Willow John insures that his people will never die. For their story lives in their young people who will carry it to their children.

  The scenery of the Smoky mountains is fantastic. You get to know the mountain people during the depression. See grandfather make the best corn whisky in the area as he tries to hide from the revenuers. Feel the compassion that a young boy has for a little girl only to have the prejudice of her father stand in their way.

  Learn the painful lesson of Native American children torn from their families, sent to a boarding school, stripped of their names and language and forced to suffer indignities which no child should suffer. Those sordid parts of American history makes you want to cry in sadness and anger. Little Tree is able to endure even at his young age due to those life's experiences and lessons taught to him from his grandparents. These lessons are not found in a book but are read from the heart.

  This is an excellent movie that deals with identity, loss of innocence, prejudice, poverty and bureaucratic insensitivity. Through it all a young boy's spirit stays vibrant as ever. Sentimentality won't be found here. Love, dignity and pride are what endures. Take heart the lessons of Little Tree....more info

• Heavily Cliched by Amateur Director
  I caught this movie on TV this morning, had never heard of the book.
  
  Whoa, where to start!
  
  From the opening moments, too much exposition of who,what,where, why and when instead of peppering it out sparingly through the movie.
  
  Everyone is a walking cliche'. I winced when Graham Greene first came on screen dressed like what Hollywood thinks an Indian should look like, he being quiet and so attuned to the "spirits" he could barely speak. I hated that the director chose to "tell" of the Trails of Tears instead of "showing" it to us via flashbacks. In fact I zoned out during this 5 minute disseration and never heard the end.
  
  Little Tree is 8 years old in this story, talks with the wisdom of a 50 year old. Yuk! I HATE that! He speaks in phrases that belong in a Hallmark sympathy card.
  
  James Cromwell did less than phone in his performance with acting so bad I was squirming. The director/writer(?) made his character spew so much exposition during the beginning of the movie I wanted to yell "Shut up!Just SHUT UP!"
  
  Everyone else in the movie was pure Appalachian, inbred Deliverance types. We just needed some good ol' banjo music, but we got the fiddle player instead.
  
  The director whose name I have thankfully forgotten shamelessly stole cinematic scenes from Legends of the Fall, The Yearling (the death of grandpa vs Penny Baxter's ill with snakebite bedscene, both identically composed and lit) and probably A River Runs Through It. I don't know if this director's still making movies, but we can only pray he isn't. Truthfully I don't believe this story would have translated well to the screen, some just can't make the leap, but in the hands of Robert Redford, who is a true cinematic artist, I think he could have truly improved upon the book as he did with the exquisite Horse Whisperer.
  
  The scene when Grandpa comes to save Little Tree at the school and stabs the knife into the ground by the gate is so heavy handed I laughed. It screamed, "Look! This is a message! We're making a point here! And we'll make danged sure you don't miss it! "
  
  This movie is every best-selling author's nightmare of what COULD become of the baby they have labored to conceive, gestate and deliver. ...more info