Keeping the Promise
| Keeping the Promise | |
|---|---|
 Cover of the DVD |
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| Directed by | Heldon Larry |
| Produced by | Martin Katz |
| Written by | Gerald Di Pego |
| Starring | Keith Carradine Annette O'Toole Brendan Fletcher Gordon Tootoosis Maury Chaykin Allegra Denton William Lightning |
| Cinematography | Ron Stannett |
| Distributed by | Atlantis Films Limited Production |
| Release date(s) | 1997 |
| Running time | 93 mins. |
| Language | English |
Keeping the Promise is a 1997 historical drama television film based on the children's novel The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. The film was released to DVD and VHS on July 25, 2000.
[edit] Plot
Keeping The Promise, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy, Matt (Brendan Fletcher) and his father, (Keith Carradine) who, as early settlers, together build a wooden cabin in Maine in 1768. However, Matt's father must head back to Quincy, Massachusetts, to get Matt's mother, sister, and newborn sibling who were all left behind so Matt and his father could build shelter for them. Matt's father promises to return in seven weeks and Matt is left alone with his father's old watch (a family heirloom) and a hunting rifle to guard the family's newly-built homestead and field crops. Unfortunately, Matt finds himself enduring many hardships for which he is unprepared. His hunting rifle is stolen by a stranger named Ben, his crop is picked over by the wildlife, and his food supplies are pillaged by a hungry bear.
Wanting to sweeten his hunger urge, Matt raids a honeybee hive for honey and is attacked by the furry and very harmful bees. Attempting to escape the swarm, he jumps into a pond, losing a shoe and hurting his ankle in the process. Luckily, Matt's foolhardy adventure has not gone unnoticed and he is pulled from the water. Ironically, the Indians he has learned to fear, through tales that his father had told him, save his life in this part of the story.
His numerous stings are treated by the Indian chief named Saknis. After recovering, the thankful Matt offers one of his books, Robinson Crusoe, as a gift to Saknis, and his grandson Attean. However, they both are unable read English. Saknis commands that Matt is to teach his grandson to read. Although uncertain of how to teach anyone, especially the unwilling Attean, Matt accepts the task out of gratitude and courtesy, as he owes his life to the man.
Matt does not immediately befriend Attean, although the two young boys eventually form a strong friendship as they help each other through difficult circumstances. When Matt's family has not yet returned after many months Attean invites Matt to join his tribe, who are moving west to new hunting grounds. Although Matt is good friends with Attean and enjoys Indian culture, he has not forgotten his family. Matt has to decide whether to join the Indian tribe, or return to his cabin and wait for his family to return.
Near the end of the story, Attean goes off to find his manitou which Matt calls a spirit, and Attean is afraid because it will take him a very long time. Although Matt longs for Attean to stay he is happy for his great friend. Matt asks the question of what if Attean's manitou doesn't come. Although this offends Attean because without it in their culture he can't be a man, he answers "even if I have to wait many winters I get manitou to become a man". So Matt waits for Attean to get his manitou. He decides to wait, although parting from his new friend, Attean, is difficult. The two boys trade gifts, Matt gives Attean his treasured watch that his father gave him before he left and Attean leaving his dog behind with Matt. Attean's grandmother gives Matt some maple sugar, and Saknis gives Matt a pair of snowshoes. Sure enough, Matt's family returns in the winter, just as the first small snow of the season arrives
[edit] Characters
- Brendan Fletcher as Matt Hallowell
- Keith Carradine as William "Will" Hallowell (Matt's Father)
- Annette O'Toole as Anne Hallowell (Matt's mother)
- Allegra Denton as Sarah Hallowell (Matt's sister)
- Gordon Tootoosis as Chief Saknis (Attean's Grandfather)
- William Lightning as Attean
- Maury Chaykin as Ben Loomis
- David Cubitt as Boat Agent
There is nothing in the movie about Matt getting chased by bees or him looking for honey. He falls in the water while chasing Loomis to get his father's rifle back.
