Movie Background

Love's Christmas Journey

Still grieving the loss of her husband and daughter, Ellie King travels to her brother Aaron Davis's home for Christmas to spend time with his children. She makes an effort to enjoy the holidays and even forges new friendships with Mrs. Thompson, a local shopkeeper, and Deputy Strode, a charming admirer. Settling in with Aaron's family, Ellie also meets Erik, a young man abandoned by his outlaw father whom Aaron has welcomed as part of the family. When Aaron leaves town to purchase adjacent land for farming, Ellie agrees to look after his children, but the season's festive spirit is threatened as Aaron goes missing.

Director(s)

David S. Cass Sr.

Dora Hopkins

Cast & Crew

JoBeth Williams

JoBeth Williams

Beatrice

James Keane

James Keane

Mr. Peters

Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson

Cass

Stephen Bridgewater

Stephen Bridgewater

Mr. Cunningham

Natalie Hall

Natalie Hall

Ellie Davis

Barry Livingston

Barry Livingston

George Ness

Tom Virtue

Tom Virtue

Mr. Bersen

Amanda Foreman

Amanda Foreman

Adrienne

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan

Aaron Davis

Sean Astin

Sean Astin

Mayor Wayne

Kanin Howell

Kanin Howell

Cowboy #1

Richard Tyson

Richard Tyson

Charley

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine

Nicholas

Dennis Fitzgerald

Dennis Fitzgerald

Henchman #1

Bobby Campo

Bobby Campo

Erik Johnson

Evan Helmuth

Evan Helmuth

Deputy Harve

David S. Cass Sr.

David S. Cass Sr.

-

David Sullivan

David Sullivan

Homesteader

Teddy Vincent

Teddy Vincent

Mrs. Price

Annika Noelle

Annika Noelle

Suzanna

Charles Shaughnessy

Charles Shaughnessy

Alex Weaver

Chad Michael Collins

Chad Michael Collins

Owen King

Dylan Bruce

Dylan Bruce

Michael

Ryan Wynott

Ryan Wynott

Christopher

Dora Hopkins

Dora Hopkins

-

Jada Facer

Jada Facer

Annabelle

Dannika Liddell

Dannika Liddell

Jessica

Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith

Cowboy #2

Allan Jordan

Allan Jordan

Henchman #2

James Wlcek

James Wlcek

Landowner

Peter Katona

Peter Katona

Mr. Jones

Kristi Slager

Kristi Slager

Mrs. Jones

Gabriel Suttle

Gabriel Suttle

Wiseman #2

Danielle Parker

Danielle Parker

Angel

Challen Cates

Challen Cates

Mrs. Johnson

Dave Rodgers

Dave Rodgers

Stagecoach Driver

Mike Cochrane

Mike Cochrane

Fiddler (uncredited)

Details

GenresDrama, Romance, Western, Family, TV Movie
Runtime2h 52 mins
Released on05 Nov 2011
Languageen
Produced InUnited States of America

Reviews

Reno

7.5/10

> 11. The story of Ellie & Aaron Davis: Getting ready for the festival. The eleventh and the final one in the Hallmark's 'Love Comes Softly' movie series. Inspired by the characters from Jannete Oke's original book. Only the eight titles were the adapted screenplay and remaining two were original, but prequels. So all the ten films had connections, but was not in the chronological order. Prior to this watch, I was wondering where this one would fit in the series. Technically, it is neither a sequel nor a prequel, but my guess is it sets in a parallel timeline to the fifth movie with the characters those derived from the previous films. Patently, I was eager for this, at a time it was very sad that no more movies after this one in the series. These were the beautiful family drama episodes, obviously had ups and downs, but certainly it maintained the quality and context as it promised. This was a two part movie and each 90 minutes long. It looks natural these days a final movie in the series to split into two equal parts. The silver-screen films are done for the commercial purpose, but I don't know the reason behind this television film. Surely it was not a small story that stretched to nearly a 3 hours long. Quite well developed characters and plot under the original theme to match with a par. We know Aaron, the little boy from 'Love's Enduring Promise', whose parents were Marty and Clark Davis. Missie is his half sister, but the question remains who's Ellie? Actually Ellie was not introduced so far in the series who was born after Aaron, but the story was proceeded with Missie who got married Willie and moved away. Thus, it had no time to launch Ellie, in fact, she was unnecessary until now. But the thing is the filmmakers failed to make sure the viewers get the proper clarification. These series' so called cliche is, the deaths, that continued here as well. Almost all the films open with a similar fashion, except I think one or two movies. > "I didn't grow old by making mistakes." In the first part, it was a bit slow to start, but strongly ended with spilling some suspense to carry going to the next part. I went with so much curiosity, then I ended with a little disappointment. The story was neat in order and clearly explored all the corners, though slightly the theme was overused or maybe jumps off the line. Felt like I was watching some kind of Christmas carol movie. You are religious or not, that does not matter here, because of the praiseworthy subject about human life. To me it was one of the best in the series, except that Christmas miracle thingy which turned it from realistic to a fantasy. We can learn so many things from these films. Like today we easily contact with our dear ones from the halfway across the world through texts and video calls. But where this story set in the latter half of the 19th century, earning money, the food, getting shelter, long journeys, even it lets us know the struggles in life in the un-advanced medicinal world. I admit like I said I have usually seen plenty of western films that associated with action, adventure, crime, thriller. But it was very occasional to get a pure family enjoyable western drama. I think 'As I Lay Dying' was the last time I saw one which was severely underrated. Like I mentioned the Love saga ended with the previous film, this one was simply an extra piece attached to the series somewhere in the middle. Especially targeted for the festival season audience to watch with their families who are supposed to be the fans of this original series. I had a wonderful time the last few days with this series. I suppose I said it in all the previous reviews and again saying that it is a feel good movie series, about love, faith, society, struggles, friends, family and many more good and bad stuffs. Overall, it was the fine movies for the families, except a few technical flaws (that is common in the television movies), which are acceptable to the television standards. Finally, the time has come to me to put an end to the Love saga reviews. 7½/10

All Trailers

Hallmark Channel - Love's Christmas Journey - Premiere Promo

Part of the Series

Love Finds A Home

Love Finds A Home

2009EN
Love's Long Journey

Love's Long Journey

2005EN
Love Comes Softly

Love Comes Softly

2003EN
Love's Unending Legacy

Love's Unending Legacy

2007EN
Love Takes Wing

Love Takes Wing

2009EN
Love Begins

Love Begins

2011EN
Love's Enduring Promise

Love's Enduring Promise

2004EN
Love's Everlasting Courage

Love's Everlasting Courage

2011EN
Love's Abiding Joy

Love's Abiding Joy

2006EN
Love's Unfolding Dream

Love's Unfolding Dream

2007EN