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Poster for The Yearling

The Yearling

Seen it?

1994 | 90 min | Drama, TV Movie

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 30 min.
What might put you off
Nothing much for most grown-ups.

Ma and Pa Baxter have battled bears, floods, rattlesnakes, hunger, disease, and ornery neighbors for years, but somehow they've prevailed during the toughest pioneer times. Now it's their son, Jody, who will face his own set of challenges. Young Jody Baxter is growing up fast on his parents' modest farm. With three brothers and sisters lost to illness, he's had to work the land just as hard as his daddy. When his only real friend goes "to visit the angels," Jody gets lonely and longs for a pet to share his life. "Flag," an orphaned fawn is his new adopted playmate. With a rekindled spirit, Jody and Flag become an inseparable pair - playing, exploring, and discovering their youthful world. But the new-found joy is only temporary; Flag has become a powerful yearling. When he threatens the family's survival, Jody is faced with the toughest choice of his young life.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 7K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Rod Hardy

  • Peter StraussEzra 'Penny' Baxter
  • Jean SmartOry Baxter
  • Wil HorneffJody Baxter
  • Philip Seymour HoffmanBuck
  • Jarred BlancardFodder-Wing
  • Brad GreenquistLem Forrester
  • Nancy Moore AtchisonEulalie Boyles
  • Mary Nell SantacroceMa Forrester
  • Bart HansardMillwheel Forrester
  • Richard HamiltonPa Forrester