excellent story with supperb act by all of the cast . the warmth and insight into who joad represent move off of the screen and into the heart of this viewer . the frustration and tenacity of mother madalyn in her quest to do his work till her last breath be also do with excellance by barbara hershey . the intertwining of the personality of joad and mother madalyn grow throughout the story line with a breath take crescendo in the final scene .