The Education of Little Tree

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

59%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 17

75%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,670
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The Education of Little Tree Photos

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Movie Info

Richard Friedenberg scripted and made his directorial debut with this adaptation of Forrest Carter's 1992 award-winning coming-of-age novel detailing the Depression-era boyhood of an orphaned Cherokee, eight-year-old Little Tree (Joseph Ashton). Raised and tutored by his grandparents (Tantoo Cardinal, James Cromwell) in the Smokey Mountains of the 1930s, Little Tree encounters difficulties after authorities force him to attend the Notched Gap Indian School. Friedenberg later received an Oscar nomination for his A River Runs Through It screenplay.
  • Rating:
    PG (For language and thematic elements including old-fashioned discipline)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Kids & Family
  • Directed By:
    Richard Friedenberg
  • Written By:
    Richard Friedenberg
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Home Video

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Cast

James Cromwell
as Granpa
Tantoo Cardinal
as Granma
Joseph Ashton
as Little Tree
Graham Greene (II)
as Willow John
Mika Boorem
as Little Girl
Leni Parker
as Martha
Rebecca Dewey
as Dolly
Bill Rowat
as Henry
Robert Daviau
as Ralph
Christopher Heyerdahl
as Pine Billy
Norris Domingue
as Mr. Jenkins
Mark Jeffrey Miller
as Preacher
Gordon Masten
as Politician
Howard Rosenstein
as Calf's Owner
Teddy Lee Dillon
as Revenuer
James Rae
as Revenuer
Alain Goulem
as Revenuer
Griffith Brewer
as Church Man
Dawn Ford
as Church Woman
Lisa Bronwyn Moore
as Elizabeth
Larry Day
as Mr. Lane
Dean Hagopian
as Joe Taylor
Jonathan Stark
as Girl's Father
Pauline Little
as Mrs. Higgenbotham
Peter Colvey
as Proctor
Michel Perron
as Headmaster
Chris Fennell
as Wilburn
Victoria Barkoff
as Teacher
Karentiio Phillips
as Older Boy
Pierre Boudreau
as Pilgrim
Richard Jutras
as Indian
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Critic Reviews for The Education of Little Tree

All Critics (17) | Top Critics (6)

View All Critic Reviews (17)

Audience Reviews for The Education of Little Tree

  • Oct 09, 2008
    The film takes a historical look at what Charaokee Indians had went through during some of there early struggle (through stories) and there continuing struggle well into 1930s (the actual time-frame of the movie). It's an interesting film with some interesting facts and insight into a time for the indian ancestors that has not been documented so well. The actors are all fairly good. The movie is funny and sad, with a bit of action. Overall the movie is a decent watch that anyone who liikes a little drama, history, and has respect for nature will enjoy. The downfall is the movie is really slow... and the pace never picks up. It's just a slow slow, 2 hour film that sort of bounces around to some scenes that really were in the movie strictly to make it longer that probably didnt need to be there. Nonetheless, it's good.
    Bobby H Super Reviewer
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