Little House On The Prairie - Pilot Movie

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Episode Summary

When the Big Woods of Wisconsin becomes a difficult spot for hunting, Charles Ingalls reluctantly decides to move his family to Kansas's more open and fertile land. Leaving their beloved relatives proves to be devastating, but the resiliency of the Ingalls spirit reigns supreme as they head out in their covered wagon. Along the way, Charles falls in love with the lush openness of the Indian Territory, and he quickly settles there with his wife and three young daughters. A kindly man named Isaiah Edwards helps Charles build a house, and Laura develops an instant fondness for him, but Caroline takes longer to accept his gruff nature. Joyous times are mixed with sad ones as the family deals with wolves, Christmas celebrations, Indian encounters, new births, fires, and above all, the unnerving realization that maintaining a stable, permanent homestead is not as easy as it looks, especially when they have decided to place their footprints on Native American soil.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • Fantastic way to start such a wonderful series.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By Lady_Lancaster, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse
    Charles Ingalls and his family have been finding living in Kansas difficult. No only do they have issues with Native Americans but also with wild animals, particularly wolves, and weather issues which make it very difficult for Charles to support his wife, Caroline, and their growing family of little girls.

    Unhappily, Charles decides that it's necessary to move to another part of the country and start again, leaving behind friends that he has made and a place he loves. The journey into Minnesota takes the family to various places but finally, they think they may have found just the place on the banks of Plum Creek.moreless

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  • What a wonderful beginning for a wonderful series!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By dragonfly_pat, Mar 09, 2008 Report Abuse
    Little House on the Prairie was a terrific, nonviolent family show that lasted for years. This pilot episode sets the tone for the series. Unfortunately, many children nowadays are not aware of the reruns of the series. This particular episode has the family leaving the Big Woods and going into Kansas to build a little house on the prairie. I bought the DVD recently to show my class to illustrate the word "prairie." My inner city students did not have a clue what the prairie is. I showed them this episode over many days, and they have fallen in love with the Ingalls family and Mr. Edwards. The part of the show when Mr. Edwards comes for Christmas dinner to share gifts and food with the family is a beautiful part of this pilot. This type of programming, like Little House on the Prairie, is needed today and would be a welcome addition for family viewing.moreless

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  • Great episode!

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By guinn75, Feb 06, 2008 Report Abuse
    This is the most authentic episode created. This stays true to the book and adventures of the Ingalls family. This is a good introduction to the series which strays from the books more and more with each season. This episode shows the family traveling to their new home and the trials they face in Indian territory. This episode also shows their Christmas with Mr. Edwards. The actors stay true to the characters except for Mr. Edwards beard and Pa's lack of. I think this is the best episode of the entire series because it is entertaining to watch and accurate in depicting those events in Laura Ingalls life.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • This is Lindsay Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls)'s favorite episode, although she enjoys many of the episodes from the early seasons. She says she loves the pilot so much because it was so accurate in portraying what that day and age was like for pioneers. Edit
    • Melissa Gilbert found out she won the role of Laura Ingalls while standing in the lunch line at school from Michael Landon's daughter Leslie. Leslie got grounded for doing it. Edit
    • Actress Melissa Gilbert auditioned against 500 other child actors for the role of "Half Pint", her screen test was the only one Michael Landon submitted to NBC Studio's for consideration. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Filming Locations: Cedar Glen Apple Ranch in Yankee Hill, CA; Baker Ranch in Tuolumne, CA; The Stanislaus River; and other Sierra locations filmed at The Orvis Ranch in Stanislaus County, CA, and Agoura, CA. Edit
    • Filming Dates: January 7-27, 1974 Edit
    • Twin actresses Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush's names appear in the opening credits as "Lindsay Sydney Green Bush." In the actual series' opening credits, the name would correctly be shown on screen as Greenbush. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Charles: Are the children asleep? Caroline: All but Laura. How much longer, Charles? Charles: I don't know. Caroline: We crossed into Kansas days ago. What are you looking for? Charles: I'll know it when I see it. Caroline: But the children are tired, and the life seems to have gone out of all of us. Charles: It'll pass, Caroline. We had no future where we were. It was a hand-to-mouth existence at best. I want more than that for you and the children. Edit
    • Caroline: I hope I never see one. Laura: Then why did we come to the Indian Territory? Caroline: (laughs) I suppose it does sound pretty foolish to come to the Indian Territory and hope that you'll never see an Indian. Edit
    • Laura: How come Mr. Edwards doesn't come around anymore? Charles: He's got his own place to look after. Laura: I think he doesn't come by anymore because he knows Ma doesn't like him. Charles: Well, I don't know that she doesn't. Laura: She don't, and I know why! Charles: Oh, is that a fact? Laura: Mm-hmm. Because he spits! Edit

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