The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971)

A true television classic, The Homecoming was the second movie (after 1963's Spencer's Mountain) based on Earl Hamner's autobiographical writings about love, pride, faith, and survival in rural America during the Great Depression. The Homecoming introduced the Walton family, a 1930s mountain clan living a hardscrabble existence that forces patriarch John Walton (Andrew Duggan) to seek work, far from home, in the city. When John fails to return home, as promised, on Christmas Eve, his iron-willed wife Olivia (Patricia Neal) keeps a lid on their children's worry. Oldest son John-Boy (Richard Thomas), who privately dreams of becoming a writer but worries about disappointing his parents, is dispatched to find his dad. Graceful yet harder-edged than the subsequent TV series The Waltons (which recast several characters and ran for nine years), The Homecoming reveals, albeit understatedly, much about the pain of poverty even as the family draws strength and closeness through endurance. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

 Why Is It Not Shown On TV Anymore???
I'm going to order the Homecoming when we get back from vacation. I've looked for it every Christmas for the past ten years or more. Its not being shown on television for some reason. Does anybody know why? Too political perhaps?

We loved watching it when it was shown in the 70's. March 21, 2008

 The Homecoming
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the show with my son. It is just as heartwarming as I'd remembered it to be. February 29, 2008

 If you've loved the Waltons you'll be disappointed with The Homecoming
I thought I would start my family's initiation of the Waltons with where it began with The Homecoming. I had not seen it & expected it to be different but was thoroughly disappointed. The parents just DID NOT suit the rest of the family.
The mother had a smoker's voice which was rather comical considering the wholesome family values she was supposed to stand for. She looked to be simply a Holywood actor without an ounce of motherliness to her. Her husband fitted about as ill in his role.
This is certainly not one we will bother to keep on our shelves let alone watch again for pleasure. February 13, 2008

 Pure Entertainment
This movie is unfouled entertainment....Unlike the garbage on television today.... A must see for the whole family or someone who grew up the tv series....You will love this special holiday movie! February 13, 2008

 homecoming
The seller sent this to me very quickly. My dad had been looking for it and was very excited. We love this movie and would watch it every Christmas. We were very upset when his VCR tape broke. Now we will get to watch it again. February 10, 2008

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