Sarah, Plain and Tall
Seen it?1991 | 98 min | Drama, Family, Romance, TV Movie
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (80% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Emmy, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and families. If you loved The Bridges of Madison County or Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans, start here.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic, feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 38 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
Kansas, 1910. Widowed farmer Jacob Witting finds that taking care of both his farm and two children, Anna and Caleb, is too difficult to handle alone. John takes out an ad in a newspaper for a mail-order bride, to which the "plain and tall" Sarah Wheaton answers, soon traveling from Maine to Kansas to become John's wife. Despite the love that grows between Sarah and the family, Sarah finds herself homesick, and she must ultimately choose whether or not to stay.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
80% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Emmy: 43rd Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special (Single Camera Production). Also nominated for 8 more Emmys and 2 Golden Globes.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 29K people sought it out in the past year
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Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
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Splendor in the Grass Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Secret: Dare to Dream
Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between Weeknight WatchAnother romance, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Glenn Jordan
- Glenn CloseSarah Wheaton
- Christopher WalkenJacob Witting
- Lexi RandallAnna Witting
- Małgorzata ZajączkowskaMaggie Grant
- Jon DeVriesMatthew Grant
- James RebhornWilliam Wheaton
- Woody WatsonJess Stearns
- Betty LairdMrs. Parkley
- Kara Beth TaylorRose
- Christopher BellCaleb Witting