Watch Follow the River

Follow the River is a historical adventure drama film that is based on the novel of the same name by James Alexander Thom. It was released in 1995 and stars Sheryl Lee, Ellen Burstyn, and Eric Schweig in lead roles. The movie tells the story of Mary Ingles, a young woman who is taken captive by a Shawnee Indian tribe during the 18th century in what is now West Virginia.

The story begins with Mary Ingles living a peaceful life with her husband Will and their two children on the frontier. However, their peaceful existence is shattered when a group of Shawnee Indians attack their village, killing many of the settlers and taking Mary and other women captive. The captives are taken on a treacherous journey through the wilderness, and Mary is later sold to a French trader who takes her to a Shawnee village in the Ohio Territory.

Mary is held captive in the Shawnee village for several months, enduring terrible conditions and being subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her captors. However, Mary never gives up hope of finding a way to escape and return to her family. She befriends a young Shawnee boy named Two Arrows, who helps her learn the language and customs of the Shawnee people, allowing her to better understand her captors and devise a plan to escape.

As Mary begins to adapt to her new life in the village, she learns that her husband Will has been looking for her and has not given up hope of finding her. This knowledge fuels Mary's determination to escape and return to her family, and she eventually manages to make a daring escape with the help of Two Arrows and a few other allies.

The remainder of the movie follows Mary's perilous journey back to her family's settlement, as she faces countless obstacles and dangers along the way. She must navigate treacherous rivers, evade hostile Indian tribes, and overcome the harsh wilderness of the frontier. Despite numerous setbacks and near-death experiences, Mary perseveres, fueled by her love for her family and her unwavering determination to be reunited with them.

The performances in Follow the River are strong across the board, with Sheryl Lee giving a particularly nuanced portrayal of Mary Ingles. She brings a quiet strength and resilience to the role, capturing the character's unyielding spirit and fierce determination. Ellen Burstyn is also excellent as Mary's mother-in-law, who continually supports her and helps her husband in his quest to find her.

In terms of production values, Follow the River is a well-made movie that effectively captures the rugged beauty and harshness of the frontier. The scenes of Mary's escape and journey back home are particularly well-executed, with the filmmakers creating a sense of tension and danger that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat.

Overall, Follow the River is an engaging and thought-provoking historical drama that explores themes of perseverance, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. It is a testament to the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of adversity, and it remains a compelling story that is worth watching today.

Follow the River is a 1995 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.