The Waltons: Homecoming

I remember watching the original Homecoming in 1970s, and the series when it ran and in reruns. This was a modernized, diversified, and sanitized version of the classic movie that I love. I was looking forward to seeing it, and sadly I was disappointed. It didn't have the feel of the original that showed the struggles of a large family during the depression in 1933. A time when money and jobs were hard to find, and most were living hand to mouth.

Everything from the clothing, to the house appeared too perfect, and new. That left me asking, did the production team do any research into what a family and home really look like in 1933 rural Virginia?

The characters were a bit too modern in the way they spoke and actions for 1933. Especially Mary Ellen, who should have been wearing a NOW button. Also, where was Ben???

I did enjoy Richard Thomas' narration.

I guess I am biased by the 1971 version which is classic and a yearly watch. To me the first thing I noticed is how clean and new everything looked, clothing to the furniture to the cars just to clean. The family going to church, not the church they attend but the black church had to be put in to be socially correct, many other things I could mention but will stop there.

I gave a 5 for the effort given CW good try but not there and did not like the end at all. I will stick to the original, a one time watch is all this version gets from me.

Other than the issues another reviewer already posted (I completely agree with them).. This one was missing something... Number one, WHERE IS BEN WALTON... He was played by Eric Scott in the original Walton's and wasn't even mentioned in this one... Number Two... Again in the original, didn't Grandma / Grandpa Walton live with them?

You'd think when making a re-make, they would try to get EVERY part of it correct..... What's the point of re-making something if you're not going to do it right?.....

I did kind of enjoy it though...

The original "The Homecoming: A Christmas" is not only one of the best Christmas movies ever made it's also one of the best made-for-tv movies ever made. So "The Waltons: Homecoming" had very big shoes to fill. I have seen the original dozens of times. Watching this movie felt strange. Nothing really clicked. It certainly didn't feel like the 1930s. But still, I found "The Waltons: Homecoming" strangely fascinating. I can't wait to see it again.

In 1933 Virginia blacks would have been seated at the back of the bus while whites were at the front. If a black and a white sat down on the same seat, the bus would have stopped and there was a good chance that both would have been put off the bus. While this is no longer the case, trying to act like segregation never happened only gives a false view of that era and leaves young people wondering what all the civil rights fuss was about.

In 1951, as a child of twelve, I know. I sat down beside a black friend on a public bus. It came to a stop and I was told to get where I belonged or get off the bus.