Lost in the Barrens

Description

"Your strength and your courage will be shown in the good works that you do for others." When the trust fund keeping orphaned Jamie in his upper-class boarding school runs out, he must cross the continent to live with his Uncle Angus, a fur trapper, in the Canadian wilderness. Disobeying his father, Awasis, a native boy, and Jamie explore the breathtaking territory on their own. A careless accident makes the unlikely pair realize that their disobedience could cost them their lives. A loyal friendship is sparked as they begin to their vast cultural differences in a different light. But will that light burn brightly enough to lead them safely home?

Customer Reviews:

The most unlikely Friends............2007-07-06

These two boys are from entirely different worlds. Amazingly they become the best of friends when they encounter a situation where they have to depend upon each other for survival or die. This is an awesome movie, blending the teaching of the Indian ways from the Native American boy to the white boy, and the white boy learning many lessons of the beautiful wild nature that he learned to love and treasure. I highly recommend this movie.

One of the worst movies ever made.......2007-05-19

My mom bought this movie for my brother and me when we were in high school. It featured Hollywood Native American favorite Graham Greene, so she figured we might like it. What we got were some of the best laughs ever elicited from a bad movie. The coming of age ceremony was the best, and to this day my brother and I still make fun of the line, "With the blessings of the spirits, you are now a man." Maybe kids 8 and under haven't fully developed a sense of irony and sarcasm to realize what a gem of a bad movie this truly is, but anyone in their teenage years will appreciate it for a true stinker to be ridiculed after the manner of Battlefield Earth.

teaches many good values.......2006-11-11

My 10 and 8 year old sons really enjoyed it, as did I. It teaches many good values, such as forgiveness, loyalty, courage, respect. In reference to guns, the wise uncle explains that guns are tools and to be respected, which I found refreshing in this age of either irrational fear of guns or extreme gun violence in movies.

It was a little over-the-top on indian religion. It showed a deer coming after the indian boy prayed to its spirit and allowing itself to be killed for food. As a Christian parent I had the opportunity to explain differences in beliefs and that I imagine that indians have to hunt their food the same as everyone else.

A fine adventure for older boys, young adults.......2005-01-10

Jamie's parents died in a car accident and, under a trust fund, he has grown up at a fine boarding school. He has thrived there, and is both successful and well-liked. But, the trust fund is depleted, and Jamie most go West to live with his Uncle Angus, a fur-trapper living in the wilderness of Northwestern Canada. Thus begins a great adventure, featuring themes of coming-of-age, cultural adaptation, tolerance and understanding of diversity, survival through cooperation, friendship, and accepting responsibility. Many of these themes emerge when Jamie befriends Awassis, a Native American teen who had tried living the White Man's society in Eastern Canada. Together, they break some rules, go on a trip together that almost costs them their lives, find a historical treasure, and grow up.

The acting is good, the scenery is harshly beautiful, the story is good, and there is enough complexity to attract and keep viewers' interest. The first quarter of the movie is a bit slow-paced, but the rest of the film makes the waiting worth it.

I Want the Video.......2004-10-01

Lost in the Barrens is my favorite book of all time. I am a sixth grade teacher in Idaho and I read Lost in the Barrens to every class. They all love it and remember the story for years. I would love to purchase the video but it has a different title. Please help me if you can.

Michael Clifford
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