Sarah, Plain and Tall (film)
Sarah, Plain and Tall is a 1991 Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-television drama film. It first aired on February 3, 1991. It is the first of three installments in the film adaptation of Patricia MacLachlan's novel of the same name. Location shots were filmed in Grand Island, Nebraska, Wichita, Kansas, and outside of Melvern, Kansas.
| Sarah, Plain and Tall | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Video release poster | |
| Genre | Drama Family Romance |
| Based on | Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan |
| Screenplay by | Patricia MacLachlan Carol Sobieski |
| Directed by | Glenn Jordan |
| Starring | Glenn Close Christopher Walken |
| Theme music composer | David Shire |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Glenn Close William Self |
| Producer | Glenn Jordan |
| Cinematography | Mike Fash |
| Editor | John Wright |
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Production companies | Hallmark Hall of Fame Self Productions Trillium Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | February 3, 1991 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Skylark |
| "Sarah, Plain and Tall" | |
|---|---|
| Hallmark Hall of Fame episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 40 Episode 2 |
| Production code | 288 |
| Original air date | February 3, 1991 |
Plot
The story is set in Kansas in 1910. Jacob Witting is a widowed farmer who is still saddened by the death of his wife, Katherine, during childbirth around six years before. Since her death, the task of taking care of his farm and two children, Anna and Caleb, is too difficult to handle alone. He advertises in the newspaper for a mail-order bride. Sarah Wheaton, from Maine, responds describing herself as "plain and tall", and travels out to become his wife. Upon arriving, she proves to have good sense, an interest in helping with even the most physically demanding chores, and a quiet, warm personality. But she grows homesick: miles and miles of Kansas farmland prove no substitute for Maine's ocean vistas. She is under no obligation to marry Jacob and is free to leave if she so desires; much of the story's suspense depends on whether or not she will decide to stay.
Cast
- Glenn Close as Sarah Wheaton
- Christopher Walken as Jacob Witting
- Lexi Randall as Anna Witting
- Christopher Bell as Caleb Witting
- Malgorzata Zajaczkowska as Maggie Grant (as Margaret Sophie Stein)
- Jon De Vries as Matthew Grant
- James Rebhorn as William Wheaton
- Woody Watson as Jess Stearns
- Betty Laird as Mrs. Parkley
- Marc Penney as Ticket Agent
- Kara Beth Taylor as Rose
Reception
Generally well received by the public, the film was considered "Fresh" at Rotten Tomatoes with 80% approval based on five reviews. It was nominated for nine Emmys in 1991, it won one, for "Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Single Camera Production". It was also nominated for two Golden Globes.
Sequels
The film was followed by two sequels:
- Skylark (1993)
- Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter's End (1999)