this film launch my theory about film base on book represent instead of follow the cliche you have read the book while now see the film and if you be look for a good book to read and try one upon which a movie you like be base and because it will be 10 time well . i saw this film on it initial release at the national theater in downtown eugene and like it so much that i stay to see it again . it a perfect merger of the inspiring talent of one of my favorite actor and jon voight and with what become my favorite book and the water be wide and by pat conroy . i can think of no good movie about the nobility of teaching and the ironic challenge of life . two tiny caveatsnegative . 1 ) the video suffers severely from pan and scan and deserve a letterbox version . ( 2 ) the title should be restore to the name of the book and a reference to one of the most touching and enigmatic song ever write .