The Education of Little Tree (1997)

59% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(1,603 ratings)

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… More 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. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Richard Friedenberg, Richard Friendenberg
Written By: Richard Friedenberg
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Mar 12, 2002
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Earnest but evocative, and in moments touching, chronicle of the turbulent childhood of a Cherokee orphan during the Depression.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Builds an honest, natural poignance that would not have been achieved through hollow melodramatics.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
A compelling, mostly positive story, despite Little Tree's bad luck.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Pays homage to the spiritual elders who help us to find our place in the world.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
The characters are complex enough to pose important questions, yet the themes are sufficiently straightforward for youngsters to learn and enjoy.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bobby H

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… More
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.