i realize that living in the western plain of wyoming during the 1900s be brutal and in fact and it probably be still brutal today and but be it monumental enough to transform into a seemingly make for tv movie . also and woman right be still bud in this nation during this time and so to find an independent woman determine to start fresh in this harsh territory and and still show the realism of the era would it make for good viewing . honestly and i do not know . i have think about this film for the past two day and and i still can not seem to muster the strength to say that it be a horrible film and yet i can truthfully tell you that it wasn not the great i have ever see . from several hodgepodge style of act and to two mismatched actor play devoid of emotion character and to some of the most gruesome pg rat scene to ever come out of late 70 cinema and it be hard to fully get a good grasp on heartland . be it good . be it bad . that may be up for you to view and decide yourself and but until then and here be moment i enjoy and desperately hat . this film continue to be a struggle in my mind because there be some very interesting scene . scene where i wasn not sure what the director be do or which direction he be head and but somehow still seem to work well a a whole . i think the story a a whole be a very interesting and historical tale . i do not know much about living in wyoming and especially during the early 1900s and so this film capture that image in my mind . the thought of very cold winter and no neighbor for mile upon mile and and this polaroid esquire view untouched by corporate america . it be refresh to witness and sheer breathtaking to experience ( though the television ) . there be scene that really stand out in my mind and like the cattle brand scene and the pig slaughter scene and and the sadden homesteader that do not survive their journey and that just bring a true sense of realism to this story . director richard pearce do a great job of bring the view of wyoming to the viewer and but i be not sure he bring decent player to accompany the view . while i will constantly compliment the scenery of this film and i have trouble cop with the actor that seemingly walk on the set and read their line from card on the side . rip torn seem out of place in his role a clyde stewart and a loner that somehow find a connection with conchata ferrell elinore randall . the two a actor have no chemistry at all . their scene that they share together be pointless and honestly void of any emotion . the pregnancy scene nearly have me in stitch because of the way these two veteran actor portray it . the brave elinore do what she have to do to get the child out of her and while clyde give an approve nod when she be do . this be love . be it suppose to be love . i do not know and i think with strong character we would have see a strong bond and but with torn and ferrell and it felt like two actor just play their part . other scene that just seem to struggle in my mind be one like when the frozen horse knock on the door for food or shelter and the constantly fading and grow compassion that clyde have for elinore daughter ( i just do not believe it ) and the lack of true winter struggle and and the entire land scene . the land scene especially because i need more explanation on what elinore be do and why she be do it and and why clyde would build her a house if they be marry . it be these simple event that if take the time to explore and would have make for a strong film . overall and i will go middle of the road with this feature . there be definitely element that should have be explore deeply and such a the relationship between these two stranger and the ultimate homesteading goal of elinore and but they be counter with some beautiful scene of our nation . these panoramic scene which and in the span of 100 year and have change from vast mountain to enormous skyscraper . while there be some brilliant scene of realism ( star cattle and pig ) and i just felt a if we need more . depth be a key element lack in this film and which be overshadow by marginal acting and a diminishing story . pearce could have dive deep into this untapped world and but instead leave open loophole and clichéd western character . ferrell carry her own and but torn be completely miscast . decent for a viewing and but will not be pick up again by me . grade represent out of .