Good show, but there are some obvious time line problems. First, in the original "Homecoming" it was stated that John Walton died in 1969. It conceivably could have been set before his death, but he looks very good here. In another earlier show, Grandma's age was noted as 68 and that she lived to 94, which would have put her death date at about 1960. But here it is, 1969, and she was over a century old! The kids, especially Elizabeth and Jim Bob, looked far too young to be playing their characters. All this could have been rectified if the producers had set each reunion movie ten years earlier than they turned out, but then it wouldn't have worked with the Kennedy theme in "A Walton Thanksgiving".
13 Reviews
Should have been open about Walton Spouses and Kids.
scoshicat29 May 2023
Mary Ellen should have said the kids were from artificial insemination. She is a medical professional knowing her own pregnancy would be lethal.
Still no Jonesey and John Curtis. If he was gone he left because of serving his country.
Why is Paul left Erin. Erin should have found someone.
Elizabeth needs to have another boyfriend to move on from Curtis. She would have been unhappy as an untraveled house wife.
So sorry Jim Bob had no girlfriend or wife.
Baldwin Sisters should have turned their home into a retirement and nursing home center. That way they were never lonely. Ashley turned up as a patient, he never died he was mistaken as dead.
Still no Jonesey and John Curtis. If he was gone he left because of serving his country.
Why is Paul left Erin. Erin should have found someone.
Elizabeth needs to have another boyfriend to move on from Curtis. She would have been unhappy as an untraveled house wife.
So sorry Jim Bob had no girlfriend or wife.
Baldwin Sisters should have turned their home into a retirement and nursing home center. That way they were never lonely. Ashley turned up as a patient, he never died he was mistaken as dead.
Continuity Problems
coreycitn6310 April 2023
When they did the Walton reunion movies with Richard Thomas returning as John Boy the major problem is continuity. First off the year it started with is 1963 some sixteen years after the other reunion movies ten tears earlier with the retconning of Mary Ellen's son John Curtis and her having two children when she couldn't get anymore pregnant and the disappearance of Ben and Cindy's son.
Now with the final movie John and Olivia is celebrating their 40 anniversary which they married in 1929 which in the series the show is set in the Great Depression and all the children was already was born. The explanation is that the writers at the time wanted to make the movies more up to date.
Now with the final movie John and Olivia is celebrating their 40 anniversary which they married in 1929 which in the series the show is set in the Great Depression and all the children was already was born. The explanation is that the writers at the time wanted to make the movies more up to date.
Time warp
Ripshin6 March 2004
For some reason, creator Hamner has no problem ignoring true-time. The original series was so well produced, acted and directed, with a serious consideration of the time period. To start randomly selecting years for reunion movies, regardless of the logical age of the characters, is quite distracting. In 1969, these people would actually have been ten years older than they are portrayed. The old series was very consistent in its realism, although they did indeed drag it on two years too. John Boy had several interesting girlfriends in the series, so it's hard to figure out why they chose Kate McNeil to play his wife in the reunion films. Her personality is unlike any of his previous romantic interests, and she is not the type of person that John-Boy has ever cared for.
One of the best 90's reunion movies for the Waltons I've seen
shannasman912 August 2007
I think this movie follows right along with the others. Kate McNiel was wonderful as Janet Walton. Though she was pregnant she looked beautiful in this movie. For some reason I thought that Kate McNeil was the same in all the Waltons movies in the 90's. I do hope they do another reunion movie sometime in the 2000's because I would like to know what each Walton family member is up to especially the father. Thank you and I think that Richard Thomas wouldn't mind telling us about how his two children are up to. Also I would like to see what the father is up to. Even though they might be too old to play the Waltons I think it would still be nice to see everyone again. Maybe they could do one around the time the space shuttle Columbia disaster. I don't know.
A nicely done reunion.
EdCarpenter5 July 2006
My opinion is that Kate McNeil works well as John-Boy's wife because she is different from the other actresses the character was interested in on the show. She comes across as a sweet and kind person who has a career and who truly tries to stand up to her meddling aunt in the previous reunion film. She also has blonde hair, as does the real Mrs. Jane "Earl" Hamner in real life. I thought the film wrapped up the story nicely if this is indeed, as it looks, the last Walton reunion film with the original cast. What happens to John-Boy in the end brings him "full circle" in my opinion as a character. We see him reach this place in his life after seeing him years ago for the first time as the struggling young writer.
GREAT but chronology incorrect
beaglepatrick14 April 2020
As a previous reviewer pointed out, the show begins with John Boy's coverage of Apollo 11's historic mission to the Moon--presumably assumed to be July 1969, which was the correct timeframe of the mission, yet John Boy is planning a combination Easter-parents' 40th anniversary celebration? Even a casual observer would immediately pick up on this error. And proceeding to error two--also previously noted is the incorrect timeline of John and "Liv's" "40th" anniversary? In a previous series episode taking place in 1937--in which Jim Bob runs away from home, he wanders into the office of the local army recruiter to enlist, to which the kind and patient recruiter begins to ask him basic questions about his age and whether he has a high school diploma, and then it comes out that Jim Bob--the baby boy of the family was born in 1924. So, if we're to assume John and "Liv's" 40th anniversary to be correct, then this would make Jim Bob having been born five years before his parents' wedding? Not to mention the chronological problem of his older siblings minus Elizabeth? The story is GREAT, ENTERTAINING, and does NOT FAIL Waltons fans, AND taking "The Waltons" as a historical novel, where liberties were taken with family names as well as place names, subsequent Walton movies should have continued to take great pains to remain true to original timeline/chronology of the original series for continuity. Otherwise, "A Waltons Easter" is a wonderful production.
I loved THE WALTONS but this movie is a very bad time trip
duraflex7 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
For a long running TV series that seemed so believable and so true to its historical period, A WALTON EASTER set in 1969 is a disaster.
It starts out with the first MOON LANDING taking place and John boy anchoring TV coverage on a local non-network CHANNEL 8 in New York. The date would have to be July 20, 1969. John Jr's folks are watching him in Virgina. If he wasn't on a network, they would not have been able to see him on TV in Walton's Mountain. BTW, there never was a Channel 8 in New York City.
John and his very pregnant wife are headed to Walton's Mountain to finish his novel and celebrate his parents 40th Wedding anniversary. If that were so, that would make John and Olivia's wedding year 1929.
TWO BIG PROBLEMS: When the series began, it was 1933 and John boy was already 17 having been born in 1916. In 1969 that would make him 53 and born 13 years before his parents were married in 1929!
The first mention of EASTER (which always comes 3 to 4 months before July) is not until near the end of the teleplay when Walton mama Olivia is asked to join her black friend Bertie for a lakeside Easter service. This unlikely scene is a tack-on that does not fit with the rest of the story neither in timing nor context. Its main purpose is to give it an EASTER title so the network could draw a holiday audience when it was broadcast March 31, 1997. Nevertheless, the black choir does a very nice job performing a high-spirited gospel song.
Throughout the story, John boy makes several references to worrying about not being able to afford his new babies. He's also driving an older, base model Ford sedan yet he's supposed to be a super successful journalist, novelist and TV anchorman in New York City. By now, he should be wealthy so it makes no sense whatsoever that he's carrying on like a guy with money problems.
Other nonsense: School is being held in the middle of summer.
As a milestone anniversary gift, the big but very cheap family scrapes together just enough money to treat their parents to just 2 measly NIGHTS in a motel in nearby Virginia Beach.
If Grandma was well into her 70s in 1933, by all rights she would be well over 100 in 1969.
The Baldwin sisters pass on their infamous moonshine recipe to the Walton family with no mention of the still to make it in.
The twin babies are born at home all dry and squeaky clean - no blood, no goo, no big crying, no umbilical cords and mommy barely breaks a sweat!
John Sr drives a 35 year old station wagon and still has money problems despite a lifetime of hard work in the lumber business.
Erin's hair color changes about 5 times in 90 minutes.
There are many other details that are wrong in this program. Overall it's a sad finale to a very successful and long running franchise.
The only redeeming quality to this film are the characters and the actors who remain very likable. That almost saves it for long-time Walton fans like myself but I still feel very let down.
Sadly, series creator Earl Hamner Jr really dropped the ball on this one. I think he owes us one more good reunion show. Maybe he'll get it right next time and then we can hear everyone say a final, "GOOD NIGHT JOHN BOY".
It starts out with the first MOON LANDING taking place and John boy anchoring TV coverage on a local non-network CHANNEL 8 in New York. The date would have to be July 20, 1969. John Jr's folks are watching him in Virgina. If he wasn't on a network, they would not have been able to see him on TV in Walton's Mountain. BTW, there never was a Channel 8 in New York City.
John and his very pregnant wife are headed to Walton's Mountain to finish his novel and celebrate his parents 40th Wedding anniversary. If that were so, that would make John and Olivia's wedding year 1929.
TWO BIG PROBLEMS: When the series began, it was 1933 and John boy was already 17 having been born in 1916. In 1969 that would make him 53 and born 13 years before his parents were married in 1929!
The first mention of EASTER (which always comes 3 to 4 months before July) is not until near the end of the teleplay when Walton mama Olivia is asked to join her black friend Bertie for a lakeside Easter service. This unlikely scene is a tack-on that does not fit with the rest of the story neither in timing nor context. Its main purpose is to give it an EASTER title so the network could draw a holiday audience when it was broadcast March 31, 1997. Nevertheless, the black choir does a very nice job performing a high-spirited gospel song.
Throughout the story, John boy makes several references to worrying about not being able to afford his new babies. He's also driving an older, base model Ford sedan yet he's supposed to be a super successful journalist, novelist and TV anchorman in New York City. By now, he should be wealthy so it makes no sense whatsoever that he's carrying on like a guy with money problems.
Other nonsense: School is being held in the middle of summer.
As a milestone anniversary gift, the big but very cheap family scrapes together just enough money to treat their parents to just 2 measly NIGHTS in a motel in nearby Virginia Beach.
If Grandma was well into her 70s in 1933, by all rights she would be well over 100 in 1969.
The Baldwin sisters pass on their infamous moonshine recipe to the Walton family with no mention of the still to make it in.
The twin babies are born at home all dry and squeaky clean - no blood, no goo, no big crying, no umbilical cords and mommy barely breaks a sweat!
John Sr drives a 35 year old station wagon and still has money problems despite a lifetime of hard work in the lumber business.
Erin's hair color changes about 5 times in 90 minutes.
There are many other details that are wrong in this program. Overall it's a sad finale to a very successful and long running franchise.
The only redeeming quality to this film are the characters and the actors who remain very likable. That almost saves it for long-time Walton fans like myself but I still feel very let down.
Sadly, series creator Earl Hamner Jr really dropped the ball on this one. I think he owes us one more good reunion show. Maybe he'll get it right next time and then we can hear everyone say a final, "GOOD NIGHT JOHN BOY".
Should Have Stopped With the Series
juanruiz-6567924 November 2020
With the three TV movies, there was little doubt that Hamner and the network were trying to squeeze the last drops of blood from the stone. The anachronisms have been pointed out by others. Beyond that, the series of conflicts (John Boy and his pregnant wife, Elizabeth and Drew, money problems still, etc) were pretty much contrived to pad the script.
It was nice to see the old characters, including Ellen Corby, though. Sad thing is that most of the old timers are now gone, and died some time ago, including Hamner himself. Michael Learned is about the only one left.
It was nice to see the old characters, including Ellen Corby, though. Sad thing is that most of the old timers are now gone, and died some time ago, including Hamner himself. Michael Learned is about the only one left.
For the Walton Fans
lissiemd7 January 2004
Since no one has made a comment on this movie, I thought I should. I saw it back on TV when I was 17 and liked it then very much, but I rewatched it the other day and was not at all happy with it. It seemed very pushed and unrealistic which is unlike the Walton series itself. Plus, everyone looked old and tired. When this movie first came out, there were rumors that there would be another movie in 2 years where Elizabeth and Drew get married. Well, that would be a good movie, but where is it? I would certainly watch it. As for this movie, while it is not up to par with The Walton Thanksgiving Reunion, if you are a true Walton fan you will enjoy it.
Disappointed
chewning22 November 2009
I loved the Waltons as a kid -- it premiered on my seventh birthday. I was so disappointed by the reunion movies. Seeing Ralph Waite recently on Bones made me think about it. Why did they need to "jump the shark" and make a movie out of linear time? They did that the first time with the one about the Kennedy assassination. The original show was perfect -- these final movies (and unless they correct all the errors of the first three I hope they were the final ones) were just heartbreaking for anyone who loved The Waltons. In this movie Mama and Daddy are supposed to be celebrating their 40th anniversary. If that were so, then their first six children were born our of wedlock, and Mama, who is always portrayed as having been a beauty in her youth, withered unmarried on the vine until she was almost 30. We know that's not true -- why make it so fake in a movie based on something we who actually watched the series when it originally ran loved so much? So disappointing. But it's nice to hear John Boy's voice on Mercedes commercials these days.
Timeline
KaitlinMMM24 July 2019
I didn't really like this movie because everybody was kind of whiny. What right does Elizabeth have to be upset that Drew is moving on when she wouldn't commit?
But, I really just wanted to comment on everybody complaining about the timeline. The timeline was always wacky on the show.
1st or all John Boy graduated high school at the end of Season 2. Erin graduated mid season 5. Like really, in the middle of the season. Anyway, that gives 2 and a half years for Jason, Mary and Ben to graduate before her. No sense whatsoever.
Pearl Harbor happens Season 7 epi 10 and is the war is over Season 9 epi 4 or something. That's 2 years instead of 3 and a 1/2.
But, I really just wanted to comment on everybody complaining about the timeline. The timeline was always wacky on the show.
1st or all John Boy graduated high school at the end of Season 2. Erin graduated mid season 5. Like really, in the middle of the season. Anyway, that gives 2 and a half years for Jason, Mary and Ben to graduate before her. No sense whatsoever.
Pearl Harbor happens Season 7 epi 10 and is the war is over Season 9 epi 4 or something. That's 2 years instead of 3 and a 1/2.
married 40 years????
angeleyes-475868 July 2022
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