my wife be a teacher and she be very familiar with the story and have read it to several of her class . it never sound all that interest to me and though and and i buy the dvd figuring this would be a movie that wouldn not really be up my alley . the first half of the movie have a lot of set up and i find myself think that i be right . it start off a bit slow and i have to admit that i be a little bit bore but curious enough to stay with it . boy and be i glad i do because this end up be a very satisfying and rewarding movie . i would most certainly watch this again . the casting be very good . since i haven not read the book and i can not vouch for accuracy and but i have to say that jon voight be truly delightful . you like the character you be suppose to like and hat the one you be suppose to hate and and laugh at the one that be suppose to be funny . i can see how some folk might not like this movie . it be tedious at time and especially in the beginning . all the flashback can be distract ( though they be essential to the story ) . once the story start to come together at the end and though and i think youre pay back in spade for your patience . when all be say and do and i think this be a very good movie positive .