Sometimes a Great Notion

"Never give a inch" was the motto of the Stampers of Oregon. And live it they did!

1971 • 114 min • Action · Adventure · Drama

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Synopsis

Hank Stamper and his father, Henry, own and operate the family business by cutting and shipping logs in Oregon. The town is furious when they continue working despite the town going broke and the other loggers go on strike ordering the Stampers to stop, however Hank continues to push his family on cutting more trees. Hank's wife wishes he would stop and hopes that they can spend more time together. When Hank's half brother Leland comes to work for them, more trouble starts.

Our family guide

Best from age 12

Movie Knight Score

106 reviews

0 Reviewers · 1 · 51%
69 Audience · 105 · 49%

The Stamper family, independent loggers in Oregon, faces community wrath when they continue working during a town-wide strike. Patriarch Henry and son Hank push forward, while Hank's wife wishes for more time together. Tensions rise further with the arrival of Hank's half-brother, Leland, challenging their already strained family and business dynamics.

Violence & peril: 4/10
Language: 3/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 4/10
Romance & sensuality: 2/10
Scary moments: 3/10

Heads up

Challenging family dynamics
Scenes of logging accidents
Alcohol consumption

What it models well

Family loyalty and tradition
Resilience in the face of adversity
Work ethic and determination

Talk about it after

The importance of community vs. individual resolve
Dealing with loss and grief
Understanding different perspectives in a conflict

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Sometimes a Great Notion. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Paul Newman • Crew: John Gay

Trailers & clips

Sometimes A Great Notion 1970) trailer

Reviewer notes

Not recommendedTrusted family reviewers
For the most part, this is just an excuse for Paul Newman and Henry Fonda to make a movie together. Much of it consists of extended shots of the logging industry at work, as he and his father work hard with their family business despite a strike that is affecting neighbouring outfits and causing local resentment.…
CinemaSerf, TMDB Community