Barnes & Noble

Like the three previous films writer-director Michael Landon Jr. has adapted from Christian author Janet Oke's novels -- Love Comes Softly, Love's Enduring Promise, and Love's Long Journey -- Love's Abiding Joy was originally intended for cable television, although it earned a brief theatrical release. It plays best on the small screen, where it recalls a very special episode of Little House on the Prairie, Landon's father’s much-beloved TV series. Joy focuses on 19th-century settlers Missie (Erin Cottrell) and Willie LaHaye (Logan Bartholomew), whose faith is severely tested when a lengthy drought wreaks havoc with their cattle ranch and family. Reluctantly, Willie accepts the offer of mayor and local land baron Samuel Doros (John Laughlin) to become sheriff -- a job that entails enforcing the evictions of friends and neighbors who’ve fallen behind on their mortgage payments. Up to this point, Joy suggests a typical western, but the faith-based emphasis on Christian charity and the hope for redemption becomes pronounced once Willie’s adopted son, Jeff (Drew Tyler Bell), develops a chaste crush on finishing-school student Collette (Mae Whitman), who just happens to be the daughter of Doros. As period pieces go, Joy isn’t terribly concerned about strict fidelity to time and place. Landon’s film focuses more on the virtues of faith, love, and forgiveness. And in that respect, Love’s Abiding Joy is an unquestioned success, one not only suitable but recommended for family audiences. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Acclaimed author Janette Oke's bestselling series of books comes to life on the screen once again in Love's Abiding Joy, the fourth feature following the continued Westward journey of settlers Missie and Willie Lahaye. Their roots now firmly planted as they set up homestead in the far West, Missie (Erin Cottrell begins to realize her passion for teaching as Willie (Logan Bartholomew) cares for the couple's young daughter Kathy while expanding the family ranch with a little help from sons Jeff (Dre Tyler Bell) and Matthew. When the frontier railroad comes to town, the pleasure of a long-promised visit from Missie's father Clark (Dale Midkiff) is suddenly offset by the tragic death of young Kathy. As the untimely demise of their beloved daughter begins to drive an emotional wedge between Missie and Willie, the devastated father unexpectedly accepts an offer made by the powerful Samuel Doros (John Laughlin) to assume the role of town sheriff. Their faith shaken and their once close-knit bond suddenly torn asunder, Missie and Willie desperately attempt to bring their crumbling family back together as son Jeff faces a series of dangers while hopelessly falling for Doros' beautiful daughter Colette (Mae Whitman). Jason Buchanan

Product Details

• UPC: 024543245636
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1), Alternate Wide Screen (1.78:1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 1:27:00
• Sales Rank: 2,904

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Love Comes Softly - Series 2

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