Seven years ago, I recall, I watched this movie over the course of it's playing on the television, much to my parents annoyance (they preferred the sitcoms to movies). I tried to record the movie, knowing I would want to see it again,but alas, my VCR stopped working, and the tape never worked properly. Since then, I've tried to find a copy of the movie, looking at all of the local video rental places, movie shops, blockbusters and everywhere else I could think to look, except the internet....then today I decided to look up Lea Thompson's filmography. Go figure, I'd learn it's under a different working title and I'd never find it here under "A Will of Their Own." Anyway, to the comment I am getting at, This movie has stayed in my mind for seven years. I was eleven or twelve when I watched it for the first time, and I still, though I cannot recall all of it, recommend it to anyone who comes across it. Watch it!
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ladygwends9 March 2005
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Bronze28 October 1998This is an excellent docudrama about women in the 20th century. Ellen Burstyn proves to be the best performer as a stiff high society matron. Although some of the acting was a bit weak the other performers were still great especially Michael Muhney and Elizabeth Marvin. Costumes and Art/Set decoration was wonderful and this is an Emmy bound movie. It completely changes your view of men during the turn-of-the-century. This truly is a mini-series to see. It could not have been done better.
My Score 9.8/10 -
Nikki419525 February 2007Historical inaccuracies aside, I think this is a wonderful movie for women. It's a TV miniseries so the acting is not Oscar worthy, but it is an overall good movie with something to say. I watch this with my mother at least once every couple months. It shows women who are determined, strong-willed, independent and driven. This was quite unusual for the time period the movie is set in. It transits well throughout the years it is set and I found myself crying in the end. I love how it shows different and important times for women throughout history. I also liked how it shows the role women played throughout world war one and world war two. Lea Thompson overacts at times and when she is supposed to be playing a 17 year old it is just obvious that she is not. I would recommend every female to watch this movie just once and form your own opinion about it.
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staisil21 January 2004When this movie came on, I was glued to the seat. It's one of those movies that you feel like you are right there and can identify with and feel for the characters. A movie that shows women independence and true love is one that you will need a tissue for, no doubt. 8 out of 10.
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AnnieCian10 May 2006I have seen these miniseries on TV when it first came out, and for years I have been searching avidly for a copy. Finally I could obtain it. It is a very uplifting experience, a great plot and a gripping story that moves through the generations and one that carries a very high emotional impact on the audience. But most of all I admired Ms. Lea Thompson's superb performance although she was in the company of a very talented and superior cast. I have always seen her in comedy and the stellar dramatic performance that she has brought to the screen with this work is truly exceptional and genuine proof that she is indeed a versatile actress with a very rare talent.
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Shantulip17 January 2009I was an extra in this film. They just used me for one day..a scene shot in the Sheldon theater.
It was a great 13 hour day.
What an experience! Faye Dunaway was a mess...could not remember her lines for anything.
We all knew them and were shouting them at her.
She wasn't happy with that. Loved the movie...of course!
St.Louis was the main shooting spot for this film and i think everything turned out great!
I was one of the many women sitting in that hot room with period piece hairstyles, chanting "Our bodies belong to us...our bodies belong to us!"
I had to buy this on DVD.
It was hard to find, but well worth it! -
babygirl263823 July 2001Another wonderful movie that is not being released on video. why don't these people get with it. A wonderful story of women, strong women. Who wouldn't want to see that over again. I loved this movie please someone get them to release it.
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emuir-124 February 2012Being hearing impaired, I need captions so I can follow what is being said. I'm not sure when the DVD was released or where and when I acquired it, but as this was a fairly recent series it would not have been too much to expect it to come with captions. The loud music on the sound track swelling every time anything dramatic was happening ruined any chance that I might have had of catching the words. As more people age and their hearing diminishes, filmmakers need to be aware that background music drowns out dialog. I kept having to ajdust the sound between barely audible speech and blasting brass instruments.
The acting was pure soap opera. The moment Lea Thompson's character came across the dark haired photographer he could have had 'vile seducer' tattooed on his forehead. Although Lea Thompson aged beautifully during the saga, no one else did until the very end.
Overall, the men were seducers, bullies and drunks and the women were victims or just plain selfish and no one was more selfish than the lead character. It might have lent the story more credibility if the noble doctor whom she married to give her child a name had been played by a less handsome man than John Shea. What were his reasons for marrying her anyway. Was he a masochist who reveled in noble sacrifice? The pacing was also very uneven and galloped along, especially at the end where events of "ten years later" had less than two minutes of screen time. Stories were begun and dropped. Was the heroine in prison after the HUAC hearings? What happened to Pearson her bullying son in law? Why did she never return to where she had been raised? The sound bite pacing indicated that the film was adapted from a book, which maybe I should try and find. -
adam-10092 March 2006Personally I've watched it because of Lea Thompson's appearance and I didn't really expect to enjoy the movie as such, but surprisingly I kept watching it until the end.
Let's face it - it just one of the saga-like stories and isn't particularly original or entertaining, but strangely it just keeps you by the TV. My opinion about Will of Their Own would be much better if there wouldn't be one point that I just don't get.
There is lovely and really touchy scene in which Lea Thompson's character is running on the street holding baby in her arms, the snow is falling, she is cold, scared, and has no place to stay, she doesn't know what to do next. And then about 10-12 years later, when things are better for her, she just leaves the same kid without any warning to take up the career she was dreaming about.
I just don't get it - I don't see how is it possible that she would do such thing, it was the opposite action to all that she done so far in her life when all that she was doing was aimed on that child survival. After this character flip I just couldn't enjoy rest of the movie. -
arewil-226 October 1998This film has a hackneyed plot with only adequate acting. The historical inaccuracies with which it was filled, irritated me immensely. They show a radio broadcast being listened to (before radio stations, as such, existed) on a radio available only in the 1930's. First sequence showed crossing the Atlantic in 1895 on a sailing ship when these were obsolete. Referred to Greta Garbo in the '20's before she became a star in America. Showed travel in Wisconsin in 1914 in a stage coach! Young screen writers (or maybe authors) need to research history more thoroughly before putting their films on the air to be viewed by people who know more about these things than they do!
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Jalea1 January 2003Overall, I enjoyed this mini-series. The characters weeped a lot and there was plenty of melodrama. However, the message of the movie was clear which is that being true to yourself and personal principles is essential. This is a series that is about strong-willed women, whether they are that way from the outset or become that way over time. Pre- and post war periods and how it changed women's roles are addressed here.
It is work checking out although it is, as I said before on the weepy preachy side. -
will-5227 November 1998Though it was exciting to see the movie filmed in St. Louis, it turned out to be one the worst works the wholper brothers have ever turned out. Karen Aurthor is a fabulous director, but bad acting, bad script. Unfortunate !!
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raven_020 March 1999I loved this movie. It had Drama, a slice of comedy now and then, Romance, action. Everything I like in one mini-series. I hope it comes out on video or they show it again. I even bought the book,"A Will of Their Own" by Susan Richards Shreve. The movie was kind of based on Shreve's Daughter's of the New World, but it is unlike the series.
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colefamily1 January 2003A great movie for girls to watch and mothers and daughters! A model for us to remember how much we've overcome and how one woman really does change the world! This movie moved along well with great performances and a wonderful cast! It was a tear jerker at the end! I can't wait to watch it again!
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LadyWolf-35 December 1998I like this movie because of its noble attempt to cover women's impact on the twentieth century. Although at times it was not accurate, and it sacrificed quality for melodrama, this was an engaging movie with some interesting characters. I looked forward to it, and though it did not live up to my expectations, I would watch it again.