This film version (the only one for this book, as far as I know) is a good, though simple and very Hollywood-ized production of the Willa Cather classic. After enjoying the book, I was looking forward to the movie- but was disappointed. The filmmakers stayed mostly faithful to the novel, though the actors could have done better jobs. This is partly because of the script, however, and though it sticks to the main events in the novel, it just barely covers them. The setting is beautiful, and I agree that the Lena-portrayal was right on track. However, in the novel, there was no romance between Antonia and Jim, as is "started" in the movie. He loved her, but she always thought of him more as a brother than a beau, according to the book.
Overall, this film version was okay- but definitely not exceptional.
Overall, this film version was okay- but definitely not exceptional.