Wow. We’ve all known this nebulous “Laura Ingalls Wilder documentary” was in the works by Dean Butler. We’d seen his earlier project on Almanzo’s life, Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura. It’s not that easy to please the hardcore fans. As a fan so hardcore that I’ve published 16 newsletters about her and plan to spend a weekend in Minnesota celebrating her, I’d like to direct you someplace.
Got 15 minutes to kill? If you don’t, find them. Then sit back, get comfortable and watch the first trailer. Then the second trailer. Then comes the unexpected treat: the behind-the-scenes look at making the documentary. Full title: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tear up once twice a few times while watching these videos. But I’m not going to be all public about that, because, well, you know.
It’s not easy being a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan in a Lindsay Lohan world.
WOW!!! I wish I had not watched it because I do not know how I am going to wait until it is released. If the trailer is any indication this movie is going to be INCREDIBLE!!
I am soooo excited!!!! I have not seen the one on Almanzo yet. Next on my list!!!
Loved the trailers.
I am just blown away to discover there are other people who still love Little House. All this time I thought it was just me!
Looks interesting! Any word on a release date? We’d love to screen it here in Pepin, WI.
I read your article in Disney’s Family Fun magazine and just had to come check out this site. I read (and re-read) these books many times through the years. Can’t wait to check out the documentary!
I am so excited to check out the documentary. I really love LIW. I am just glad that people are concerned with what is wholesome and decent in todays society, so thank you for taking time to make these videos. I can’t wait to have them in my possession.
All of these comments are from two years ago! Will this film actually be released or is it bogged down in legalities or something?! I can find NO current information about it ANYWHERE.
Basically there isn’t any current information. It was previewed at the last LauraPalooza. At that point it needed some additional editing and then Butler was seeking a distribution company. Butler’s company released the Almanzo documentary on their own, initially only distributing it through the Malone homesite, who helped sponsor it. Now the Almanzo documentary is available for purchase at most of the homesites. However, the financials were such that Butler doesn’t want to self distribute again. If the editing is done, to the best of my knowledge he’s still seeking a willing disruption company, but a successful launch of the Pa’s Fiddle Show (which he also produced) on PBS will most likely be a boost in that process so we’re still hoping to hear more soon.
Thanks so much for the update info! This link is one of two that can be googled with a 2012 date re: LIW Little House Legacy.
I listen almost daily at times to the Harper Audio edition of the Little House books. It helps me do the housework! During my childhood I read the books so many times I literally ate them. I used to chew on the pages!
Today my son is on a field trip with his class to a traditional farm that uses draft horses and plow. He will be gone three days, and word is they’ll really work the kids… chores before breakfast, acres of potatoes to plant, cows to milk, maybe they’ll even get behind the handheld plow. In the evenings his teacher will be reading Farmer Boy.
I can’t imagine that the documentary won’t be snapped up by the millions of Laura fans. Her stories are threaded and woven into our culture.
$275 is definitely steep for me. Maybe we can pay it in installments? The Pa’s Fiddle concert looks great too – but I wonder where’s the Scots music? I’d love to hear “Highland Mary”!
There is no worry that traditional music will be forgotten. There are festivals and music camps everywhere that teach new generations the love and lore of it. From “FiddleTunes” in Port Townsend, WA to “Lark in the Morning” in Mendocino, CA and all throughout the land. It is as alive as it’s ever been.
Thanks again, and hopefully my next post will be a glowing review of the documentary!