It is no wonder that no one has commented on "The Great Niagara", as it never received a VHS or DVD release, so all that remains are some well faded memories. I do recall a very entertaining movie. Richard Boone is on a quest to conquer the Niagara River and Niagara Falls, which on a previous effort left him crippled and defeated. Unfortunately this time he is attempting to regain his glory by using his children as part of his fantasy. The shameful exploitation of Randy Quaid by father Richard Boone, to gratify his fantasies is the basis for "The Great Niagara" and provides a shamelessly evil image of extreme and dangerous manipulation. ,,,, UPDATE Feb.1, 2011 - I was lucky enough to find a VHS copy of "The Great Niagara" and this movie is even better than I remembered it from 1974. Almost every scene has Niagara Falls or the Niagara River in the background. Richard Boone's performance as ruthless manipulator of his children is fascinating. The film is excellent. - MERK
7 Reviews
There's no place like home
shootvictoria25 May 2020
I grew up in Niagara Falls and remember when this movie was being filmed. I was 7. Of course everyone in my school was stoked to see it a few months later when it was broadcast on ABC.
I would love to see it again. I have very vivid memories of some of the scenes, and of course it's a time capsule of the area (See also: Niagara (1953) and Search and Destroy (1979) for glimpses of a Niagara Falls that no longer exists.
Fun fact: this story was loosely based on that Red Hill Sr, a famous Niagara daredevil and showman who is credited with rescuing many people from the Niagara River. He, too, lost a daredevil son to the Falls..One of their descendants was in my grade at school, but I don't remember if he enjoyed the movie or not.
I would love to see it again. I have very vivid memories of some of the scenes, and of course it's a time capsule of the area (See also: Niagara (1953) and Search and Destroy (1979) for glimpses of a Niagara Falls that no longer exists.
Fun fact: this story was loosely based on that Red Hill Sr, a famous Niagara daredevil and showman who is credited with rescuing many people from the Niagara River. He, too, lost a daredevil son to the Falls..One of their descendants was in my grade at school, but I don't remember if he enjoyed the movie or not.
A quick little adventure, but not a barrel of laughs.
mark.waltz14 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
You may not like the father played by Richard Boone in this TV movie about a family who fights to beat Niagara Falls at dad's request, but ultimately it's a fight against his session of winning over nature and the elements, something rarely successful by human beings. It is an oddly filmed movie, seemingly videotaped rather than filmed based on the print that I saw, but it is interesting nonetheless because of the growing up the one son (Randy Quaid) does, having witness tragedy and the injury that his father sustained when he tried it. Boone gives a powerful performance, almost King Lear In nature as he tries to manipulate his sons out of guilt and his need to control, and It is Is overwhelming to watch everything unfold in a short period of time.
Having visited Niagara Falls several times as a child and later as a young adult, I recall going there in 1969 when they shut the falls off and the crowds that went there to see just the rocks hanging over a stagnant river. Going on the Maid of the Mist and hiking along side the river (both sides, different trips), I have a sense of nostalgia while watching this movie. The falls certainly are majestic even today, just as a memory, and there is nothing more thrilling than to anticipate your arrival, and finally getting there. This isn't a great movie, and the drama is more important than the action, but the falls do seem like another character, perhaps like God holding onto the strings of George Bernard Shaw holding onto the strings of Henry Higgins holding onto the strings of Eliza Doolittle. There's a power in the roaring rapids falling, and it's nothing that Boone can control, even though his family can't reason with him. So if you look beyond the basic story, there is a powerful tragedy there, and that's what makes this unabove average TV movie.
Having visited Niagara Falls several times as a child and later as a young adult, I recall going there in 1969 when they shut the falls off and the crowds that went there to see just the rocks hanging over a stagnant river. Going on the Maid of the Mist and hiking along side the river (both sides, different trips), I have a sense of nostalgia while watching this movie. The falls certainly are majestic even today, just as a memory, and there is nothing more thrilling than to anticipate your arrival, and finally getting there. This isn't a great movie, and the drama is more important than the action, but the falls do seem like another character, perhaps like God holding onto the strings of George Bernard Shaw holding onto the strings of Henry Higgins holding onto the strings of Eliza Doolittle. There's a power in the roaring rapids falling, and it's nothing that Boone can control, even though his family can't reason with him. So if you look beyond the basic story, there is a powerful tragedy there, and that's what makes this unabove average TV movie.
I enjoyed the movie, was there during the filming
red-0234015 March 2017
I enjoyed the movie, thought it was an interesting plot. Was there in 1973/74 during the filming. I was 12/13 years old on vacation seeing Niagra Falls for the first time with my family. We were on the Canada side going to ride the Maid of the Mist boat toward the horseshoe falls when we saw old cars and the film crew but weren't sure what they were filming at the time other then Richard Boone was staring in it. Thought it was well produced and hope to enjoy it again.
Enjoyable drama
rbrtfourie2 June 2022
This film surprised me. The title and synopsis was not too inviting. But as I had acquired a reasonable condition 16mm print of the movie I watched it and was pleasantly surprised. The main theme is the father's obsession to "ride" the Niagara river and the falls and how this obsession impacts his two sons. There also is a sub plot regarding the struggle between father and daughter-in-law for the attention of the elder son. It was enjoyable to see a young Burt Young and Randy Quaid. As far as content advisory goes: There is one scene where the eldest son and his wife are looking for an intimate time in the bedroom. There is no nudity or sex scene portrayed and the couple is shown briefly kissing. No profane language. A movie suitable for all ages.
Robert Fourie - South Africa.
Robert Fourie - South Africa.
I simply didn't care at all about the picture, the characters or the story....
planktonrules14 March 2017
I have recently begun re-watching as many of the old "ABC Movie of the Week" installments as I can find...and that's about 100-150 films I have seen so far. Well, I must say of all of them, "The Great Niagara" is the one I have cared about the absolute least of any of them. It's isn't that I necessarily hated the film...I just didn't care in the least about the story, the characters or anything about it! And, it makes me wonder why they even made this story in the first place.
The story is about a bully of a father whose only ambition in life is to have one of his family members go down Niagara Falls in one of his homemade contraptions. And, to do so, he spends pretty much the entire film bellowing, yelling and behaving pretty much like a walrus with a bad case of kidney stones!! While this role was a bit embarrassing, somehow Richard Boone put his all into it! As for the sons, they really just do what the crazy old heartless crank demands until they are mostly dead. Whatever.
If I had any reason to like or respect ANY of the characters, perhaps this would have been easier viewing. As it is, it's an house and a half of my life that is gone.
The story is about a bully of a father whose only ambition in life is to have one of his family members go down Niagara Falls in one of his homemade contraptions. And, to do so, he spends pretty much the entire film bellowing, yelling and behaving pretty much like a walrus with a bad case of kidney stones!! While this role was a bit embarrassing, somehow Richard Boone put his all into it! As for the sons, they really just do what the crazy old heartless crank demands until they are mostly dead. Whatever.
If I had any reason to like or respect ANY of the characters, perhaps this would have been easier viewing. As it is, it's an house and a half of my life that is gone.
A great movie from yesteryear!
wappleman15 November 2011
I actually thought this movie was older than it has turned out. I remember seeing it and thought it was an excellent TV movie. It's been so long ago I could only remember Richard Boone starring, so obviously it was before I knew Randy Quaid as an actor. I remember Richard Boone being crippled from his attempts at conquering the Great Niagara and also that he was pushing his sons into trying and it seemed they really didn't like the idea. Will never forget Boone raising his fist and yelling as one of the sons reach the brink of the falls. Back then times were different as in you mostly got to see a TV movie just one time. However this movie has always stuck in my memory. "Merk if you'd be willing to have your copy put onto DVD I'd be happy to buy a copy!! Great Movie!!!
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