Nightwalker

Courage Mountain is one of many well-made movies that have fallen into the black oblivion of cinema history. A sequel to Heidi, the beloved classic that makes many people think of Shirley Temple, it tells the story of a teenage Heidi who is sent to boarding school in Italy, during World War One. But circumstances force Heidi and her new school friends to embark on a dangerous journey through the warring countryside, bound for the mountain that will take them safely to Heidi's homeland of Switzerland.

One of the prime delights in this movie is the splendid scenery, with sweeping views of the Alps from all sorts of different angles. As for the movie itself, it has a compelling enough plot, and one certainly appealing to the family audience- courageous children fighting against all odds to find freedom during troubling times. The characters are interesting and somewhat Dickensian, though at times you feel like we move to the next scene before we've had a chance to really get to know any of them. Fortunately, most of the cast is excellent, especially 15-year-old Juliette Caton, who plays Heidi, and the other four girls (who are these wonderful actresses, and why didn't we see them again after this movie?). Leslie Caron (remember An American in Paris?) is nice as the warm-hearted headmistress, and Jan Rubes is the perfect Grandfather. And three cheers for another marvelous but relatively unknown actor, Yorgo Voyagis (perhaps most widely seen as Jospeh in the epic miniseries Jesus of Nazareth), who plays the villainous factory owner to wicked perfection.

The only actor who is completely out of place is the actor who gets his name at the front of the credits, Charlie Sheen. Perhaps it's the fact that he doesn't even try to hide his American accent, or perhaps it's because he is playing an 18-year-old when he is actually in his mid-twenties (at the time). Or perhaps it is an attempt to have a "star" so that the movie will be easier to promote (a device that never works).

Surprisingly enough, Mr. Sheen is not in the movie very much. And everything else is really a worthwhile adventure for the entire family, without any pesky off-color jokes and bad language (a rarity in family movies these days). And be sure to listen to the music. It's just as majestic as the mountains.

Thoroughly enjoyable. I only slightly remember the prior film to this sequel, but it is not needed. This one stands on its own.

There is no point where you will believe this story. It is just too far-fetched with usually mediocre acting (that's child actors for you, though, usually mediocre).

The heart in this story is it's driving force. It's about love and survival; Heidi's love for, well, nearly everyone; the children's love for each other; and more.

Although the cover and title may not seem very promising, it is worth watching. Give it a chance.

I'm 34 and I can't remember exactly when I first saw this movie, but I probably saw it right around when it came to video. I had never watched Heidi before, so really had no experience with the "Heidi" story. This movie could not have been a better introduction and I have never wanted to watch another Heidi version since. I love this movie and we have a family tradition of watching it every Christmas. I also pull it out of the vault and watch it at ANY time of the year because I love it so much.

This movie not only has beautiful shots and scenery in it, but shows that a young woman or any woman for that matter can be beautiful being her natural self. Heidi is gorgeous, naturally beautiful without artifice, and very self confident and sure of herself. She lives her life simply and doesn't know any other way, and even when she finds out that her lifestyle is considered "old fashioned", she doesn't let it get her down.

The story line in this movie is simple, yet tugs at the heart strings. There is adventure, the awkwardness of new experiences, the buddings of first love, new friends to be made, and challenges to be overcome, all the while amidst the back drop of snowy caped mountains and rustic villages.

If you are a fan of period romances, westerns, frontier type movies, or just a simple romantic at heart, then I would give this movie a try. You might be surprised that hidden underneath that unassuming title and DVD graphics is a true gem.

Ohh..did I mention, TOTALLY kid friendly and morally appropriate!!!

I grew up with a book on Heidi so thought I would give this movie a chance. It exceeded my expectations. It has all the elements of a great movie, including an interesting time period, deep characters, drama, cliff hanging scenes, love and spectacular scenery! Extra points for being family friendly!

A fairly simple and sincere movie of love and adventure. Our young heroine Heidi finds herself taken from her simple home in Switzerland to a rather fancy Italian boarding school in the year 1915 where many of the other girls don't take kindly to her rough country ways. You have to give the costumes, art and production design and lot of praise. The school setting and teacher there are well done. The movie reminded me of a more child friendly version of The Passage. The weakest element was certainly the section set in the orphanage and the evil Dickensian couple who run it. Once we get to the actual mountain though things are quite good with some much better cinematography and music too. One character has a nice unexpected character development too. For me one element that doesn't work so well are the parts with the grandfather who I just never truly believed. Heidi is a resourceful and brave girl in this and a good role model for girls. The actress is only about 13 or 14 and her romance with a young man in the film probably wouldn't be allowed today, though the 1915 setting does actually give it some context. All in all quite a pleasant family movie.

It's not up there 10/10 with Snow white 1937 or Toy Story but its still pretty enjoyable.