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The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky

Play trailer Poster for The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky PG 1995 1h 37m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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When Mac (Jerry O'Connell) goes to the northwestern Montana wilderness to join the National Forest Service as a ranger in 1919, he is little more than a cocksure 17-year-old, but his tough-as-nails boss, Bill Bell (Sam Elliott), sees to it that he becomes a man. Since Bell has a reputation for being the best ranger, Mac wants nothing more than to follow in his idol's footsteps -- though it often leads to some missteps. As time passes, the two develop a friendship, but Mac has much to learn.
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The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky

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Stephen B 02/09/2025 This isn’t high art. It honestly seemed like an after school special. It was however a very watchable and enjoyable plot. Don’t go in expecting a Martin Scorsese film. It is a simple coming of age story of a young man in the mountains just after the First World War. It is also kid friendly. See more Paula F 01/29/2025 I’m from the Bitterroot Valley- home town of Hamilton and the geographic dialogue pushed it to 4* add the stashless STASH and O’connel got the extra * , BC is beautiful country and the movies location even looked like the ‘root’ - good job … It’s far from a comedy genre wise See more Bill P 01/01/2025 I am a Forester, not of the era of tis film, but close enough. It is a reasonably accurate depiction of early 1900 forest service life — except maybe the cook. Early Forest Rangers were expected to know how to make coffee and bake biscuits, and would be tested on those skills. See more 08/17/2014 A decent watch; however, one cannot escape the feeling that this is a four part series with three parts missing. Much was left on the table with this effort, do not expect another Lonesome Dove. See more 08/15/2009 this one is reallly good to See more 01/18/2009 LOVED IT! A youngish Sam Elliott (no moustache!) and a very, very young Jerry O'Connell highlight a believable, enjoyable growing-into-a-man story supported by a strong cast of highly competent characters. Cast in the gorgeous beauty of what appears to be the magnificent forests and vistas of the Great Pacific Northwest. The script reminded me of so many of us growing up with all the spit and vinegar of knowing everything, yet thankfullly in the end, being able to learn from our far wiser elders. Watch it, you will not be disappointed. See more Read all reviews
The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Mac (Jerry O'Connell) goes to the northwestern Montana wilderness to join the National Forest Service as a ranger in 1919, he is little more than a cocksure 17-year-old, but his tough-as-nails boss, Bill Bell (Sam Elliott), sees to it that he becomes a man. Since Bell has a reputation for being the best ranger, Mac wants nothing more than to follow in his idol's footsteps -- though it often leads to some missteps. As time passes, the two develop a friendship, but Mac has much to learn.
Director
John Kent Harrison
Producer
Brent Shields
Screenwriter
Robert Wayne
Production Co
Signboard Hill Productions
Rating
PG, TV-PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 25, 2017
Runtime
1h 37m
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