User reviews

I gave this a fair shot. Even though I watched the Christmas episode and wasn't that impressed. I absolutely love the original The Waltons series and still watch it today. So I was excited to have more of the Walton family and company. Until I watched it and it didn't really even feel like The Waltons. There is none of the original charm and authenticity that made me love the original so much.

The costumes are wrong- they feel entirely too modern. Like someone playing dress up rather than a costume department.

The acting feels stiff and forced. It's like the actors know nothing about the characters or the time period. Again, there's something decidedly modern in the way they interact and behave. I'm also not sure why they're all putting on accents when no one really had much of one in the original. I might be able to overlook that, but they're bad accents, too.

The dialogue is average at best- and that's being generous. Admittedly, some of the dialogue from the original show was a bit on the nose and cheesy at times, but it never felt overwhelmingly so. Because I believed the actors and their characters. They felt authentic. Not only is this dialogue corny, but it has a very modern flair to it. Certain turns of phrase and the way in which the lines are delivered feel off. The biggest offender I can remember here is when John-Boy is listing off everyone entering in competitions at the fair. If I only heard the dialogue, I wouldn't guess this was meant to be taking place in 1934.

I think the casting is off, too. I've seen a number of these actors in other things and they're not bad actors. They just don't really fit here. Again, they don't feel authentic. Olivia, John, Grandma, and Grandpa all especially feel wrong. Olivia especially has none of the maternal, soft but stern qualities that she had in the series. John, Grandma, and Grandpa also feel like entirely different characters. No matter who played these characters or how they played them, I don't think I'd ever find them comparable to the original. But I can say that they could certainly be played better and do a little more justice to who came before.

And the supporting characters are all wrong, too. I won't go too far into that but all I needed to hear was the Baldwin sisters actually referring to 'the recipe' as moonshine to know that someone hadn't really done their homework as far as characterization goes.

Obviously a remake isn't going to be exactly like the original, nor should it be. But there are some that are worse than others. I would have to say this is one of the worse ones. Even the Christmas special was better and I didn't particularly care for that.

Bottom line- nothing feels authentic and there is not even a hint of the original charm. All the same, it is a feel good, wholesome movie and I do appreciate that. It's almost better to just pretend this is unrelated to The Waltons many know and love. It's not a bad movie on its own, but it's a poor representation of the original characters and series.

Why couldn't they make up their own movie and family instead of hijacking a great series like the Waltons? The acting was terrible, and it was too far removed from the excellent acting done by the original cast and the writing/lines were so juvenile. It was like a kindergarten version of a once college level show. I would have enjoyed it slightly if it was an original family so I couldn't compare it. Also they changed Ben's history. The characters didn't even try to have the same color hair or mannerisms. We watch the original series all the time, but we won't watch this movie again. The movie is harmless, just not believable.

Why on earth would you even try to redo/imitate an iconic show like The Waltons? There's no point, especially when the end result is mediocre at best. The only way A Waltons Thanksgiving works is if you know nothing whatsoever about the original show, or better yet, never even heard of it. And you'd also have to know absolutely nothing about the Great Depression and its grinding poverty; segregation and the Jim Crow south; rural farm life; social hierarchy; and just life in general in the mid-1930s. It was no happy-go-lucky picnic back then.

The acting in this movie is average at best, with occasional scenery-chewing by Bellamy Young (Olivia). But then Patricia Neal and Michael Learned are very tough acts to follow.

The dialogue in this movie was also way off, at times much more 2022 than 1934. The clothes were too bright and spiffy. In 1934, no rural farm family would waste pumpkins to decorate a porch. They'd be pureed and canned for winter or stored in the root cellar. Food was not for decoration. And in the mountains of Virginia, is it really warm enough in late November to eat Thanksgiving dinner outside in short sleeved clothes?

These may seem like nit-picky observations, but to a true Waltons fan, they matter. Hence, this movie would be best targeted to a Waltons newbie.

Very disappointing.

This was an excellent show that has all the quality and character of the original series that touches the heartstrings of what is upright and overflowing with an often rare goodness seldom seen in the morals we experience in this world almost 50 years after the original series.

How wonderful to be suspended in a world free from technology, hype and the distraction we experience in todays world often devoid of meaningful interaction with those we come in contact on a daily bases. What a joy to see that those that we touch can be effected in one positive life changing event

The special topped off a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you Magnolia Hill!

Everything about this special wrong based on the original series. The period piece was all wrong for the children, the parents and the area were so far off from the original premise of the Earl Hamner's masterpiece.

I see that many people see this as a good old fashion wholesome television, but if you'd seen the original cast and understood the messages they were conveying, you'd understand that this version of the series is way off.

The real Walton's were dirt poor struggling with almost every aspect of life. This one shows a family with far more wealth than they really had and far more levity than shown.

The casting of the characters was poor and the acting portrayed a view of perfect people rather than country folk.

We watched the entire episode but wouldn't put this in any category with the original series and I'm shocked that Richard Thomas would associate the Waltons name with this rendition.

What a pleasant change from so much of what we are seeing on TV today; family entertainment that has you relating to the characters, laughing with them and rooting for them. It has been wonderfully cast with genuine relationships and a treat and to see Richard Thomas introduce the family of which he was such big part and for him to be giving such strong support to this movie. This is not simply a reproduction of a Walton's episode but a new story that does not disappoint in delivering the same emotions that made the Walton's family so important to so many. Looking forward to seeing more and to adding this movie to our family's annual traditions.

This is not 1930s Virginia. I wasn't born during The Waltons series original run. And that doesn't and shouldn't matter because art, whether it's music, television, movies, even artwork itself, moves you, transports you and if powerful enough - it has the ability to inspire and transform you. CW's Waltons is not Earl Hamner Jr.'s Waltons. I was skeptical coming into it. This is CW after all. I proceeded positively...and cautiously. I ever saw last year's CW's Waltons movie and it's safe to say I never will now. CW'S A Waltons Thanksgiving movie does not resemble Hamner's Waltons visually, verbally, historically or morally. It's also missing a kid. Where's Ben? Why are CW'S Waltons daughters so bossy and unlikable now? Twenty-three minutes in, and I barely see the Waltons patriarch played by Teddy Sears? Last year's CW's Waltons movie got 960,000 viewers. Great for CW. This year's movie attracted about 500,000 less (Fewer? Help me Stannis.) viewers. I see why. I lasted 25 minutes and decided to go watch Hamner's Waltons instead.

'Nuff said.

Everything you wanted in a sentimental, nostalgic heartstring Tugger- and less.

If you want to watch the waltons, find out what channel is doing the reruns or get the DVDs from Netflix or eBay or Amazon. I don't even know if it's streaming anywhere, but this... this is a travesty. This reminds me of an episode of Happy Days where Mr Cunningham had paid for a TV advert and the studio replaced him and Marion with perfect Teeth perfect hair facsimiles, and Howard got to play the stock boy. Pretty ridiculous right? All I can figure here is that Mr Thomas needed a paycheck, and enough for decades so fast that they didn't figure anybody would get too upset or be too unhappy with this bizarre, otherworldly alternate reality version.

Firstly, I am so sad that *this* is what caused me to create an account.

Secondly, Hiiiiiiii. Huge fan of 1920s films to present.

I'm an X-er, so right off the bat, you either have no notion what this "the Waltons" are, or YOU KNOW and are either being silent or adjusting for time. Either way, YOU ARE WRONG AND INCONSISTENT.

B 1974. Glorious time; grandparents being b.1908-12, parents b. 1934-1938, and older siblings beginning in 1959, one year after parents were married.

Also of note; I grew up in a religious household, I would wager mainly because my 4xAncestors settled a church, to which everyone in my family belonged (lol, until me! I lived abroad and also a very far away big city).

I watched 14:12 minutes of this program. About 3 minutes in (and, given the introduction from the original John-Boy (Thomas) and the Theme Song, this led me to believe that maybe it would have SOME similarities between the 1970s program to the 2022 massacre.

I was sorely wrong.

This is an atrocity. Who is writing this, AND, more importantly, WHO is directing THIS? At this point, I am VEHEMENTLY CHASTISING the wardrobe department. I'm sorry, 1:14 (yes, one minute, 14 seconds), a character (of which might prove to be VERY consequential), pops out from the back of a traveling van and says his red hair is why no one will a adopt him. YES, the red hair is most certainly a reason no one with this wonderful and beautiful mane was adopted for many, many years, -- my mind is on something else.

WARDROBE MISMANAGEMENT.

NO ONE. I repeat, NO ONE, has bluer-than-blue overalls. The newness of the blue is so NEW and BRIGHT, it causes saturation of the colors that surround it.

YES. THIS THIS THIS was my breaking point.

The original Waltons AT LEAST had wardrobes that LOOKED like they were from 30-40 years prior.

This particular construct gave up at what was available in 2020s, and the wardrobe department or that which checks the believability of the time period -- needs to reassess their life choices.

I'm sad about this. I wanted to LURVE IT. Instead, I am switching movies to something a little more consistent with the time period they are projecting and wanting you to believe.

I think the first mistake wasn't having Ben in the first one mess up with the chemistry that the original had it did not draw me into how the original did. I just Fast Forward to seeing the Ending because can't hold my attention for a min. I think they would have been better off having it be a completely different show that did not attach The Waltons Name to it. Not to be Rude but it feels like a Lifetime movie to me or they could have gone the route that the new wonder year reboot in just have it be in the same Universe. The Original feels more like a Family show the new one feels like a disillusion of the past, (especially as a black man race relationship wasn't like it because of Jim Crow Laws and the civil rights movement wasn't until 1954) this one did a little better making them look poor doing the depression era. Can the CW Producers just end it and make it into a Different Family movie and Show so I can enjoy it for what it is and not compare it to the original I only discover the Waltons In 2019 they do not feel how the characters could be. I would have liked to give it a chance because a Young Dylan actor plays Jim Bob, oh well hopefully they make the last one completely different from The Waltons Homecoming (2021) and A Waltons Thanksgiving Special(2022). But I do hope New People discover this and turn People to The Original show. Thank God they didn't touch Leave it to beaver, The Donna reed show The Danny Thomas Show/Make Room For Daddy The Andy Griffith Show Any other Classic.

I grew up on the Waltons and this completely new cast was not relatable as the Waltons. I had high hopes with the way the show started out with the original John BOY. I thought it would be a show on his family carrying on the traditions he grew up with on the mountain not a redo of something that had already been done. Turned it off after 20 minutes. I'd rather watch a rerun of the original thana pooly made remake. If it's not broke don't try to fix it. The Waltons were good and wholesome. When you watched the original cast, it drew you in. You wanted to be a part of their family. It always made you want to be a better person.

A Walton's remake COULD indeed work if they stuck to Hammner's source material. They didn't. Richard Thomas, needing a summer cottage on Martha's Vineyard no doubt, sold his voice as the narrator, but does not appear onscreen. Sad!

No Ben? And all the kids are either overly sappy or jerky/bossy. Depression era details are completely missing. Plus everything is filmed through a sunny fall hazy orange filter to really give you that faux Hallmark feeling of cornball warmth.

If you look at the state of country music now and compare it to back then, you can kinda imagine the film this is! It's so incredibly "Hollywood" that Hammner's literally spinning in his grave.

Dig up the original series on DVD and settle for that until a halfway decent director remakes it with better production and onscreen talent. This was embarrassing.

This is the second TV-movie on The CW to feature the Walton family played by new actors, with Richard Thomas as the narrator.

Once again the family is supposedly going through a hard time, but in the middle of The Depression, they live in a nice house which probably needs painting, and John-Boy has his own room. The clothes don't look quite as good but that's just because the family members are shown working.

Everyone is polite (or at least they can be) and brothers and sisters bicker, as they do, but there is love here. There are family values and the need to be responsible is shown.

Ryan Newman does a great job as the abused kid who works for the fair. He shows a positive attitude and intelligence and he is quite a salesman.

Rebecca Koon also stands out as the somewhat less than perfect Grandma. Alpha Trivette is somewhat less colorful and more moral than Will Geer but still a fine man.

The first movie was G-rated. This one could have been although it has a couple of bad words and just enough suggested violence to get the point across. The boy is kicked a couple of times but never hit on screen.

And, of course, there are references to drinking. Usually it is the perfectly harmless Baldwins' "recipe".

Marcelle LeBlanc is a very good singer. Christian Finlayson is a good banjo player.

The movie doesn't quite live up to the ideal of the TV series but it is good family entertainment everyone can enjoy. It's almost as good as the Christmas movie from last year.

Ugh. What garbage. Whoever decided to rewrite this beautiful story should be fired. Don't waste your time watching this.

It's like the writers have no concept of how life was back in the 1930's, and they certainly did no research to help them! Why even try to rewrite the story!! Just stick with the original, which beautifully embodies the innocence of that era without trying to put a modern day, progressive spin to it.

The acting also reminds me of a bad high school play. I should have known better...it's a Hallmark production. I have never enjoyed their productions. Cheesy, awkward, lousy writing, lousy acting. If you like Harlequin novels, then this should be right up your ally.

My recommendation is skip this version and go straight to the original 1970's version. This one is truly a rotten tomato.

A beautiful movie that had the perfect combination of drama and comedic elements. Add an amazing cast of characters and we have a winner. I'm loving the new Waltons movies and like to think of them as a reimagination of the original Waltons as opposed to a remake. I love the storyline and how they brought Ben back, as well as anything related to The Baldwin Sisters. Where did they find these funny talented ladies? They are perfect in their roles. Bellamy Young is also perfect as Olivia and really carries the show- She and the new father had great chemistry together. Another role that was perfectly cast was John Boy. I really love Logan Shroyer's version. I'm really hoping that The CW makes more movies or a series soon- Great job CW!

A Waltons Thanksgiving is a nostalgic film trying to capture the spirit of the holiday season. However, it's important to note that the film takes some liberties with the established continuity of the original television series. It focuses on the character of Ben Walton, who, in the film is portrayed as a young orphan boy who arrives in an unexpected way at the Walton family's doorstep. This contradicts the established backstory of the Walton family in the TV series, where the character of Ben is named after Uncle Benjamin, who was killed in France during World War I.

Additionally, in the film, at the harvest festival John Walton generously hands out money to the kids for frivolous spending despite being a large family living in rural Virginia in the middle of the Great Depression. Despite these discrepancies, A Waltons Thanksgiving may still still deliver a heartwarming and enjoyable holiday tale for anyone who doesn't understand the context of the era and has never heard of the original Waltons TV series. Overall, A Waltons Thanksgiving can be seen as a pleasant holiday movie, but it's crucial to approach it with an understanding that it deviates from the established canon of the original television series.