1 excellent, intelligent and very engaging....
"Coal Miner's Daughter" is one of those films that transcends musical tastes, cultures and social classes to touch all viewer's hearts. Even I, someone who was not previously familiar with the "first lady of Country Music" (the great Loretta Lynn), and certainly not a huge country music fan, found myself entertained, engaged and moved by this inspiring and affirmative film.
The story starts in Kentucky, as thirteen year old Loretta (masterfully played by Sissy Spacek, who went on to win an Academy Award for her role), one of eight children and the daughter of a dirt poor coal miner, is helping to raise her siblings and just survive in her impoverished surroundings. It is then that she meets "Doo" (Tommy Lee Jones), a man ten years her senior, who has returned from his military service, and they promptly fall in love. They end up getting married shortly after one month's time. It is "Doo" who first recognizes her singing talents, as she sings to the first of their four children, buys her a guitar and pushes her into singing professionally. Of course, this is only the beginning of a greatly successful performing career. Loretta took her experiences with her husband, as well as her humble beginnings in Kentucky, and set them to music in her numerous songs. Through the power of these songs, she always remained close to her roots, and, with her music touched many, who either related her songs or were simply touched by the honesty of her lyrics.
This film worked for me on so many levels. I appreciated the respect paid to Loretta, througout the movie, and that it wasn't at all exploitative. Though, she had her share of ups and downs, we see her struggle with great dignity (e.g; her husband's philandering, her breakdown on stage). The acting was marvelous. Tommy Lee Jones' and Sissy Spacek's on-screen chemistry as a couple was, both, believeable and honest. Also, I thought it was wonderful how Sissy Spacek did all of her own singing! If you ever hear some of Loretta's actual recordings, you would have a hard time telling the two women apart. She captured the tone and style beautifully and convincingly. As did Beverly D'Angelo (as Patsy Cline), a great inspiration to Loretta, who was her friend and confidante, on and off stage.
This is a great film that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and generations. It is truly a great glimpse into the life of a wonderful and inspiring performer, who came from modest means, went on to become one of the greatest country singers, and still maintained a strong sense of self that came through the gift of personal struggle and adversity.
I give this an A+ all the way.
2 A Well Deserved Oscar For Sissy Spacek
Sissy's well-deserved Oscar for one of the best screen-bios ever. Based on the book of the same name, by Loretta Lynn, Sissy knocks `em dead as the country bumpkin turned country music star. Director Apted's clear vision of the story magnifies his ability to show a more primitive life (see also *Gorillas In The Mist* and *Nell*), and moody cinematography perfectly captures Loretta's Butcher Hollow, Kentucky upbringing - where 13 is not too young to get married, and the coal dust and poverty-stricken conditions guarantee that life will be short. Along comes the brash and determined Dolittle Lynn, confounding the parents and sweeping Loretta off her feet. Tommy Lee Jones plays the character as a hot-headed and directionless young man who comes to believe that his wife may be a talented singer. His life's direction becomes clear, and he makes Loretta his career. It is impossible to cover and entire life and career in 2 hours, and important details are sometimes necessarily dispensed with - but, again, we get to watch Sissy re-invent herself before our very eyes, taking Loretta from being the ill-nourished daughter of a coal miner to being the glorious "First Lady of Country Music" Beverly D'Angelo is the seminal Patsy Cline - brassy and tender, and her brief turn in this film is everything that *Sweet Dreams* with Jessica Lange should have been, but wasn't. The soundtrack was a smash hit, and Spacek and D'Angelo are remarkable for doing their own singing and this helps in securing the film's place as a top tribute. Of the bio genre, there are few to compare with the superiority of this film. *Lady Sings The Blues*, *Your Cheatin' Heart* and *La Bamba* are nice tries, but only *The Buddy Holly Story* comes as close to capturing the true essence of the subject. In the Country Queen realm, television's *Stand By Your Man*, the story of Tammy Wynette, starring Annette O'Toole, did a stand-up job of telling Wynette's story, but, O'Toole's fine performance aside, the production values simply don't hold a candle to the excellence *Coal Miner's Daughter*.
3 The First Lady of Country Music...
An AMAZING performance by Sissy Spacek, solid direction by Michael Apt and great supporting performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Beverly D'Angelo make this film a modern classic. Spacek and D'Angelo sing in their own voices and bring their characters to life. A well earned oscar went to Spacek, but lets not forget the earnest performance by a then unknown Tommy Lee Jones as Dolittle Lynn. He has the modivation and mindset of his character and drives this movie from the sidelines, I am very partial to this movie mainly because my grandmas house is briefly in the movie. Also, the music is awesome, a history of country music. Great cameos by Grand Ole Opry legends just add to the honesty and earnestness of this film. This movie introduced me to country music and was country when country wasn't cool.
4 Commentary track is excellent!
Hardly anyone has mentioned the audio commentary on the DVD with Sissy Spacek and director Michael Apted. It's actually one of the best commentaries I've heard on a movie DVD! Spacek and Apted chat non-stop about the making of the movie, Loretta Lynn, and more. It's fun hearing Sissy gush "Look at that lamp!" when she's watching a scene, or hearing both of them express their admiration for the other players. The commentary track alone makes this a DVD worth having.
5 Breathtaking!
While watching this movie you're going to forget that you're watching a performance piece and not the actual Loretta Lynn! Sissy Spacek is THAT good! Her acting, her speech patterns, her singing, her mannerisms: they're all convincing! The supporting characters are awesome as well, especially Levon Helm as Loretta's father, and, of course, Tommy Lee Jones and Beverly D'Angelo as Loretta's dear friend Patsy Cline.
The only debit this movie has is it kind of loses focus towards the end where Loretta is "going crazy" or whatever it was. I just didn't quite understand what was happening, really. But this is only a minor flaw; it won't take anything away from your viewing experience and your enjoyment of it.
By the way, the story of Patsy Cline is featured in the movie "Sweet Dreams," starring Jessica Lange, which is another incredible movie!
6 Loretta's Story
I was never a great fan of Country and Western singing, but certain performers always impressed me. Loretta Lynn is one of those people. This true story of her life has such great acting, directing, scenery, sets, and music it overwhelms you with realism. Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones give exceptional performances. Jone's in an early part of his career shows you his potential. Anyone that enjoys drama should like this movie whether you are a fan of this type music or not. I recommend it for the whole family.
7 FINALLY! Loretta on DVD
I remember being 10 years old and seeing this movie in the theater. Every time it came on TV I watched it. When we got a VCR, I retaped it every time it played just to have a fresh copy. I owned the VHS and now FINALLY after all these years, I have it on DVD.
This is one of the best movies ever made. The acting was so real it was amazing. I never thought of the characters as Sissy and Tommy Lee, I always thought of them as Loretta and Doo. It's one of the string of "Biography" movies to come out, like La Bamba, Sweet Dreams and The Buddy Holly Story.
The music. 'nuff said! The performances are just incredible. The old Grand Ole Opry gang was still alive and they were in the picture such as Ernest Tubb, Minnie Pearl, & Roy Acuff. Of course, Loretta... I mean Sissy's performances were stellar. In the DVD bonus interview with Loretta, she said that she taught Sissy how to play and sing her songs. And boy did she do a good job! All the way from the nervous but cute Loretta in the honky tonk singing "There He Goes" to the lovely queen of country music singing "Coal Miner's Daughter", the sound of her voice and the music perfectly imitates Loretta.
Someone said that they wanted a 5.1 soundtrack to the movie. Well... the movie was recorded in stereo. The country songs in the movie for the most part were in glorious 1950s one-speaker mono to give that authentic 1950s country sound. It plays mostly through the center channel and that's good enough.
The bonus materials also show Loretta's Coal Miner's Daughter museum. It houses alot of pieces from her past as well as alot of stuff from the movie. It will be interesting to go actually see this and be able to see it in person.
If you love CMD, get this DVD! If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for? DO IT!
8 Enjoyable whether you like country music or not
Whether or not you have an appreciation for Country Music or Loretta Lynn herself, you'll surely be entertained by this rags-to-riches biopic in the same vein as, 'La Bamba,' and, 'Sweet Dreams.' Great performances are in no short supply here with Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones in what would turn out to be career-making performances for the both of them. As good as Spacek and Jones are the supporting role that 'steals' the film in my book is Beverly D'Angelo's spirited performance as Patsy Cline.
While the video transfer quality of this 2003 released DVD is excellent, what baffles is the lack of a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. Surely a movie dripping from start to finish in vibrant Country music deserves more then the Dolby 2.0 Mono audiomix on the disc. Very puzzling indeed.
9 There's no salt in a chocolate pie!
After having watched Sweet Dreams, I became curious about watching Coal Miner's Daughter because I love both Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. Well, it came on telivision and my Dad taped it for me. It quickly became a new favorite. Some parts are scary like when Loretta and her boyfriend almost fell off the cliff. Some parts are sad like when Patsy Cline died. But I really get a big laugh out of Loretta substituting salt for sugar in her chocolate pie.
10 Excellent Movie Biography
Some movies are so excellent that words are insufficient to describe that excellence. Such is the case with "Coal Miner's Daughter," a movie that relies on an effectively told story of Loretta Lynn to carry the film rather than flashy special effects and action. The script is brought to life by the incredible talents of the actors, most especially Sissy Spacek, in one of the best performances of her career.
"Coal Miner's Daughter" spans the era from the late 1940s to the early 70s, focusing principally on Loretta Lynn from age 13 to her rise to fame as the best-selling female country artist. It's easy to look at Loretta's early life as an artifact of some ancient time, but in fact Loretta's life and the life of her family was quite typical in some rural areas in The United States in that era, and many of us are the children or grandchildren of similar families. This movie is thus not only the story Loretta Lynn, but is also the story of many Americans.
Sissy Spacek sang all the songs for the movie, which is available on CD. Sissy received an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Loretta Lynn, the only Oscar awarded to the film of the seven nominations. Sissy sounds so incredibly like Loretta Lynn that sometimes I find it difficult to know whether a Loretta Lynn CD or the movie soundtrack is playing. Sissy's phenomenal acting talent made her Loretta Lynn.
Sissy was well supported in her role by other excellent talents. The multi-talented Tommy Lee Jones played the part of Loretta's philandering husband Mooney Dolittle. Tommy Lee played the role very well within the limits of the screenplay. My only complaint is that I felt that Mooney was portrayed in a much milder way than his actual personality. I believe most viewers will perceive traits in Tommy Lee's character that are indications of the real Mooney.
Beverly D'Angelo is outstanding as brash and outgoing Patsy Cline, for a time Loretta's idol, best friend and mentor in the country music world. Patsy had a lot of influence on how na•ve Loretta perceived the world and how she reacted to things. Beverly sang Patsy's songs and matched Sissy in the quality of her performance.
Also appearing in this movie were Levon Helm and Phyllis Boyens as Loretta's parents. I read that Loretta was shocked by the appearance of Levon Helm in his makeup and clothes because he looked so much like her father. This couple in role could have easily been the models for the picture "American Gothic." Another appearance worthy of note was that of Earnest Tubb as himself.
Loretta Lynn's story is such a grand story because she exemplifies the dream we all have of making our way in the world. Loretta's father was, as the title suggests, a coal miner. Coal mining is a difficult, dirty job with a lot of risk. During the time of Loretta's youth coal miners would typically get their paycheck and then go to the company store to buy food and pay their debt. In many ways working for a mine in those times was nearly like slavery or indentured servitude. Mooney and Loretta escape by first traveling to the west coast, and ultimately by capitalizing on Loretta's abilities as a singer and songwriter. Ultimately Loretta became a multi-millionaire with a wide range of business interests. This movie presents a rags-to-riches story to inspire us all.
11 Loretta Lynn's Unforgetable Story
This dvd reminds you why we all love Loretta Lynn. It is the extraordinary story of an individual who went from rags to riches and never forgot her roots. The screen version of Loretta Lynn comes to life with Sissy's portrayal. She makes you forget it is a movie and instead you feel like you are just spending some time with Loretta Lynn. This movie is a part of the tapestry of Country Music, and it is a vibrant thread. One of Tonmmy Lee Jones' first big movies, and he shines in it. Extras include an excellent interview with the first lady of country music Loretta Lynn. This is a must have for any true country fan.
12 WRONG! Response to Theodore John Illenberg to comment..
....about Gary Busey not singing in The Buddy Holly Story.
He DID sing on all of the tracks in the movie...not only that but Don Stroud & Charles Martin Smith played their own instruments. This is a well known fact. Busey even mentions this on the commentary track on the DVD. He chose not to lipsync.
13 Buy this DVD
This is an excellent DVD. As well as giving us the widescreen version, you also get interviews with Sissy Spacek and Loretta Lynn. I'm very pleased with this edition!
14 Sissy Shines as The Coal Miner's Daughter
At long last, "Coal Miner's Daughter" has come to DVD. This biopic tells the tale of country music legend Loretta Lynn, spanning her early years of poverty in Butcher Holler, Kentucky through her steady rise to fame and fortune to become the queen of country music. The film details the highs and lows of that journey with both heartfelt humor and pathos and contains incredible performances from the entire cast.
One need not be a fan of Loretta or country music to enjoy this film. Director Michael Apted has crafted a movie of depth, detail and emotion, especially in the early scenes which depict Loretta's early years growing up dirt poor in the Appalachian mountains. Apted's attention to detail allows the viewer to really understand what it was like to grow up in such an impoverished environment. Apted obviously respected the material he was working with and does it justice.
Sissy Spacek, as Loretta, is simply superb. Earning a well deserved Oscar for this performance, she is never less than captivating. Starting out as a shy, naive 14 year old, then slowly building confidence and self-awareness, to emotionally crumbling under pressures to great for her to handle, Sissy is completely believable in all stages of Lynn's life. On top of it all, Sissy does her own singing in the film! This is one talented woman. Tommy Lee Jones is equally compeling as Mooney, Lynn's husband, who's confidence in his young bride started it all. Jones does a great job displaying Mooney's determination, frustrations and insecurities. Also of note is Beverly D'Angelo's performance as Patsy Cline. Although she has very little screen time in the film, her impact in the overall film is undeniable. She too gives a pitch perfect performance and does all her own singing as well. Alas both Jones and D'Angelo were overlooked when the Oscar nominations were announced that year. (They were both robbed!!) These three powerhouse performances are backed up with an equally strong supporting cast, including Levon Helms and Phyllis Boyens (both of whom where not actors by trade) as Loretta's parents.
The DVD provides extras such as a commentary track with Apted and Spacek (not the best commentary track I've heard but worth a listen if you like that sort of thing), interviews with both Tommy Lee Jones and Loretta Lynn (worth a peek) and a totally useless clip of President Bush (Sr. that is) saluting the AFI. He mentions the title of Coal Miner's Daughter once in his speech. That warranted it's inclusion in the DVD!!?? Alas there are no deleted scenes or "making of" documentaries which I enjoy watching but I don't want to sound like "a big ol' bear a growlin" so I won't complain.
15 One of the best dat-gum movies ever!
Finally, it's on DVD!
Okay, I'm one of those folks who knows this movie up and down, back and forth, word-for-Kentucky-word, and proud of it!
I remember seeing this film on the big screen in 1980, when I barely knew who Loretta Lynn was, and I loved it dearly from that moment on.
If this film hadn't been up against my other all-time favorite movie for the Best Picture Oscar in 1980, it should have (and would have) won, hands-down.
I waited for years for this film to finally be released on DVD, and I wasn't disappointed. My VHS edition, while as wonderful as a pan&scan movie can be, was worn out from repeated viewing. The quality of the picture and sound on the DVD is superb, as are the special features, including an interview with Director Michael Apted and Miss Loretta Lynn herself, as well as a rememberance by Tommy Lee Jones. Once you've watched the whole film all the way through, you'll want to watch it again with the commentary by Sissy Spacek and Director Michael Apted.
Even if you have never heard the name "Loretta Lynn", you'll adore and treasure your "Coal Miner's Daughter" DVD.
My Jaw's-a-swellin' up - from pure happiness!
16 Often imitated, never duplicated . . .
. . . and, frankly, usually never even approached, in terms of quality. *Coal Miner's Daughter* set the bar very high indeed for the biopic. Most likely this was because the subject of the film, Loretta Lynn, was deeply involved in the project: it was based on her biography; Sissy Spacek actually lived with Lynn for almost a year prior to shooting; and Lynn basically kept a close watch on the proceedings. Loretta Lynn is a tough broad. If director Michael Apted had had any thoughts of making this a "sensational" piece, Lynn disabused him of the notion rather early, I would imagine. Hence, there's absolutely no salaciousness, no untoward intrusions of privacy, no "creative license". This is the story that Loretta Lynn wanted told, and by God, it got told. Needless to say, this way of making motion pictures, so uncharacteristic of the usual Hollywood method of cheapening everything for the sake of "entertainment", makes for a compulsively watchable experience. Story-wise, it's not terribly unique: it's the old rags-to-riches formula. But what rags, and what riches! The key to the movie's success is in the details: from the newspaper, serving as wallpaper, glued onto the walls of Loretta's home in the Kentucky "holler" . . . to the old pre-War washing-machine on the porch that Spacek kicks into gear while learning to play the guitar . . . to the baloney sandwiches consumed during Spacek's and Jones' journey from one radio station to the next in Tennessee . . . to the first nervous performance at the Grand Old Opry . . . to the luxuriantly appointed tour bus replete with "LORETTA LYNN" in elegant cursive writing on the side. Most impressively, Spacek does her own singing in the movie, echoing Lynn's style while avoiding overt mimicry. And Beverly D'Angelo is a revelation as Patsy Cline. A noted singer in her own right, D'Angelo arguably out-sings the real Cline in the numbers featured here. While this MIGHT be both Spacek's and D'Angelo's finest hours, it is almost CERTAINLY Tommy Lee Jones' finest hour. He plays Lynn's husband "Doo" with not only utter conviction, but with complete familiarity, as well. All in all, *Coal Miner's Daughter* remains the gold standard in the biopic genre.
17 GREAT MOVIE! TERRIBLE DVD!
Coal Miner's Daughter is my favorite movie of all time. I was so thrilled to finally see it coming out on DVD. However I was very dissapointed to see that it was not in Dolby surround sound. Also, every time I stop the movie and turn off my DVD player, when I turn it on again, it will only play with the commentary turned on, and with some foreign language CC turned on! I have to actually eject the DVD, and turn off the player and turn it back on to get it back to normal. Using the Language option on the menu doesn't work. Including deleted scenes would have been great too! ...
18 I didn't want to like it, but danged if I didn't.
I was about 13, my friend asked if i wanted to go and see a drive in movie, his parents were taking him, a movie i thought, coool. I still remember we had to lay under a blanket and appear younger for a discount. But as for the movie, when i saw the title. as a teen, i was just oh god, my parents country fantasies all wrapped up on film. But By the end of this movie, i must say, i found a true classic. I don't want to give story details, for those are best left untold, and seen for yourselves. But Please do watch, i think this is a film well worth seeing.
19 AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My whole family thinks that I'am crazy,but this is one of the greatest movies ever made. I love this movie! I was only 10 when it came out and never saw it in the theater. Through the magic of cable my love affair began. I truely began to belive that Sissy Spacek was Loretta Lynn, her signing was wonderful.I don't like country but i love Coal Minners Daughter!!!
20 Coal Miner's Daugther DVD
The picture is beautiful, the interview with Loretta and Tommy Lee Jones is great, the commentary with Michael Apted and Sissy Spacek is funny and informative, the thing with Bush Sr. is STUPID, it's a small mention of CMD at an AFI gathering. I gave the DVD 4 stars because I thought there's a couple more things they could have done with this DVD. They could have included some deleted scenes. They could have included all the songs left off of the original soundtrack and maybe some words from Beverly D'Angelo would have been cool too. I buy DVDs because of the extras and that's what I expect from them.
However, this is one of the best movies of all time in my opinion and it should have gotten a little more hoopla for it's release on DVD and Tommy Lee Jones should have gotten every award that Sissy Spacek did.
Now, let's have a brand new soundtrack reissued with all the songs that Sissy recorded while filming this movie.
Thanks for a great DVD!
Bobby in Portland, TN
21 Incredible Movie
This is one of my favorite movies of all time...thank goodness FINALLY its on DVD and WIDESCREEN so we can finally see the whole movie as it was in the theaters.
22 It's Something Special...
It really is a special movie... one of my favorites!*
Great movie- great acting- great over all!*
(& not only for "country western" lovers...but for everyone*)
23 Stands alone
As far as musical biographies are concern, coal miner's daughter stands alone. It is about the life and career of country legend Loretta Lynn, based on the autobiography of the same name. The music is fantasic, Sissy Spacek did her own singing and look and sounded amazingly like Loretta Lynn. Some say The Buddy Holly Story is just as good. It is also a fantastic movie with great music. But, unlike Sissy Spacek, Gary Busey is not doing his own singing. The movie mainly concentrates on Buddy Holly's career. Coal Miner's Daughter accurately portrays Loretta Lynn's early impoverished life in Butcher Holler, Kentucky. The movie is a good ethnographic portrayal of life in Applachia. Plus the movie does a good job in portraying the world of country music and life on the road. Coal Miner's Daughter is a great story of a person who was married at age 13 and had for kids by age 20 and ended up being one of the major country music and entertainment figure throughout the world.
24 FINALLY COALMINERS DAUGHTER ON DVD!
COAL MINERS DAUGHTER IS MY MOST FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME . I WATCH OVER AND OVER, YOU CAN BE HAVING A BAD DAY AND THEN WATCH THAT MOVIE AND EVERY THING FEELS BETTER.MY WHOLE FAMILY ENJOYS IT .A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN STORY OF THE QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC . A DYNAMITE CAST. NO ONE ELSE COULD HAVE PLAYED THEM.IM SO GLAD TO HERE IT'S BEING RELEASED ON DVD , I'M WEARING OUT MY TAPES.IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT , YOU NEED TO.YOU'LL REALLY ENJOY IT .IT'S SUCH A GREAT MOVIE , YOU WONT WANT IT TO END.!
25 Wonderful Film!!!
I am not a fan of country music at all, but I have to say that "Coal Miner's Daughter" is one of the most interesting films I have ever seen! "Coal Miner's Daughter" is a film chronicaling the life of country singer, Loretta Lynn. It was amazing to see her rise from a poor girl in Kentucky to one of the most famous country singers in the world!
This film is definitely worth watching! Sissy Spacek's and Tommy Lee Jones' performance were fantastic in this film. This is one film that you do not want to miss!
26 DVD RELEASE DATE SET
May 6, 2003 is the date "CMD" will FINALLY be released on DVD. Twenty-three years (!) after it's initial release, one of my favorite films will be given the Collector's Edition treatment. : )
"The more I laugh, the hornier I get"
27 A Good Classic
I can't watch this enough. When there is nothing good on t.v I put this in and watch it, as I love Sissy Spacek and Tommy Jones, and they both are outstanding in it. Anyone who likes country, and these people wont be disappointed. Well worth the money
28 Diamonds From Coal.
I LOVE this movie. This heartwarming, true rag-to-riches film about the life of Loretta Lynn took even the most sophisticated audiences by surprise when it was first released. Sissy Spacek is wonderfully accurate in her portrayal of the legendary but still humble and approachable country music star. This film made people who HATED country music take a second look. The story of the backwards, backwoods, painfully shy little girl whose simple, self-penned, biographical songs made her a huge star with almost unequaled # 1 country hits, is just as touching and great as when it was released. Tommy Lee Jones is perfect as "Doo", the man who stood by his woman, and Beverly D'Angelo gives a memorable performance as the legendary Patsy Cline. The fact that Spacek and D'Angelo so effectively do all their own singing, considering the shoes they had to fill, just makes this film all that much of a wonder. Levon Helm, of The Band, is also very good as "Lorettys" daddy. Just an all- around terrific film, with many touching moments from a by-gone time, when a little girl with a record could tap on the radio station window one day, and be a star a week later. Sissy Spacek's Oscar winning performance makes for a total class production about a total class lady. Loretta Lynn became one of this city boys favorites since seeing this film, and she remains so... a true, greatly admired, humanitarian *star*, who could teach most other celebrities a thing or two about "stardom". A perfect film for the whole family, the ultimate "feel good" movie. Thanks Loretty !! (And Sissy, too.) Just GREAT!!
29 OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!
What an insightful movie. I can not say enough about this movie. The portrait of the poor mountain girl with the minor father and the area in which they live. The home environment of music and the love of their parents, who gave everything (which was almost nothing) that they ahve in order to provide for their children.
Tommy Lee Jones is very good and Sissy Spacek is fabulous. Their performances were ground breaking and the center point of this movie. Following Loretta Lynn's path to stardom from being married at 14 and being moved across the country to her barnstorming ride from radio station to radio station across the country to work on her career (that she was reluctant to persue in the beginning).
This story of Loretta Lynn's rise to stardom is a classic - well worth viewing by people of any age.
30 The movie that made me love country music
I was 20 years old and listening heavily Bruce Springsteen and many new wave acts when I saw this movie and I realized I loved country music. I wasn't the same again. Loretta Lynn is still one of my favorite country singers.
31 MY VERY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME!
This movie will make you laugh and make you cry. Music, memories, hardtimes as well as goodtimes. That's what this movie is about. A true and fascinating story about life of one of country's most talented legends. The movie is so incredibly real and down to earth, you'll feel as if you are watching her life through a hidden video camera that followed her around rather than a hollywood camera crew. Words can not describe what an incredible movie this is. You must see it for yourself! It is the only movie I have actually payed money out to own on video and I watch it year after year and never tire of it. There is no other movie that even comes close to comparing.
32 the best movie ever made!
This is my favorite movie because it captures the essence of Loretta Lynn. Sissy Spacek was awesome.
33 well-told story, glossed over marriage
strong points: a movie worth watching, powerfully told story, but...
weak points: i think the scenes they chose to portray at the end about loretta and her husband had too much of a "hollywood-everybody's-happy-and-let's-all-hold-hands-and-be-best-friends" feel. something led me to question whether or not loretta and her husband really ever had matured to the point of being able to have a healthy, stable relationship. as long as loretta was seeking the fame, i think it would come at the expense of such a relationship, and while the movie did suggest that she was willing to forgo some fame and be more emotionally honest...i'm still left questioning if it was reality...or just a figment of hollywood... (i bet the latter.)
that said, still a powerful movie!
34 Stellar performances from all.
This movie was wonderful from all aspects. Not only did it tell the story of one of Country Music's greatest stars, but it did it honestly. Sissy Spacek and Tommy Jee Jones were perfectly casted in this movie as Loretta and her husband Doolittle. Beverly D'Angelo was good as Patsy Cline as well. It was refreshing that she and Sissy sang their own songs on this film, and that there weren't dubbed over voices. Sissy Spacek is one of the best actresses to come along in my lifetime and certainly Coal Miner's Daughter was one of her finest performances. A must have for any serious film collector.
35 True Country Legend
After reading the book about 4 times I can say with a reasonable amount of certainty that it is a little better than the movie, but not by much. They are both excellent. Following her life from Butcher Holler all the way to international stardom, this is a compelling look at an interesting woman, not just a country star. In other words, it is very much worth watching even if you are not a country fan. Long live Loretta!
36 Good biography of Loretta Lynn
My aunt and cousin were watching "The Coal Miner's Daughter" and I wasn't really wanting to watch it. There wasn't anything else to do, so I watched it. It was actually a pretty good movie. It tells the biography of Loretta Lynn all the way from how she struggled becoming a mother at the age of 14 all the way to when she forgot the lyrics on stage one night. It also has everything in between such as her becoming friends with Patsy Cline and how she achieved superstardom and became the queen of country music.
Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones put on great performances as do the others in the movie. Sissy Spacek sings all the songs herself and does a great job as Loretta Lynn. If you like biographical movies, you need to see "The Coal Miner's Daughter."
37 Entertaining Biography of Country Legend Loretta Lynn
Sissy Spacek gives a stellar performance in the role of one of Country Music's Grand Ladies, Loretta Lynn. -- The story begins when Loretta was still a teenager and is about to marry. The scene where Loretta's suiter asks her father for the girl's hand in marriage is simply beautiful! With her humble childhood as 'a coal miner's daughter', Loretta Lynn never forgot her roots, as the on-going saga continues well into her adult-life of stardom in Country Music. -- Sissy Spacek did all of her own singing! Tommy Lee Jones did a wonderful job in the role of Loretta's husband. This film shows how common sense and the good within all human beings makes for a successful and fulfilled life; whether we are born as princes or paupers!
38 Five stars PLUS!
I went out and bought this movie because I enjoyed it so much. And more recently, I found and read Loretta's biography because I loved the movie so much. The movie is surprisingly true to the book.
I love Loretta's story because she was a real underdog. Raised in abject poverty in the Kentucky Mountains, she rises above it all, bit by bit, with her husband's love and support.
Doolittle (husband) bought her a guitar one year because he told her, "I like the way you sing." I've heard that the best marriages are ones where the spouse is our number one cheerleader and that's what Doolittle Lynn did for Loretta. He cheered her on. He supported her, loved her and believed in her.
The movie also touches on his shortcomings, but in the book, Loretta makes it clear that the good he did outweighed the bad and their marriage and relationship can not possibly be judged by anyone outside of the relationship.
Loretta is a strong woman - even as a 14 year old she speaks her mind and isn't afraid of much.
What do I love about this movie? It shows the infinite possibilities of life and that any obstacle can be overcome through persistence.
The acting by Spacek, Jones, D'Angelo, Helm and the entire cast is superior. The characters are very real - not Hollywood mock-ups, but real people.
It is probably one of my top three favorite movies of all time. It is a treasure.
39 Very Uplifting
Sissy Spacek was Incredible as Loretta Lynn.&Tommy Lee Jones was also very convincing.Beverly D'angelo was also very solid in this film.To Bad Todays Country Artists Aren't Made to watch Real COuntry Music being Made&done.cuz the music now is so Watered down.Loretta Lynn&Patsy Cline are Pioneers of Country Music.You Respect their Battle&Success even more after Viewing this film.
40 Superb Musical Biography!
This brilliant character study features two astounding performances by Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones. Spacek is Brilliant as the 'first lady of country music' Loretta Lynn, she is very convincing, she even did her own singing. Tommy Lee Jones also shines as Loretta's husband who pushed her into making a career out of her singing. Great insights into the country music industry. Great performances, attention to detail and a real life rags-to-riches story make it interesting and entertaining. The pace kind of drags in the second half, but ultimately a satisfying experience. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film an 8!
41 I bought this for my mother!
She loved this movie! It is amazing how well the actors and actresses did in this! I really like this movie! It is a great investment, please believe me!
42 Best Country Bio Picture Ever Made .Loretta is the QUEEN !
I never grow tired of this movie. I have seen it over 100 times since it was released in 1980.I own it on laser disc,VHS and hope to find it on DVD. Sissy Spacek did a outstanding job playing the "Queen Of Country Music," Loretta Lynn. She more than earned the Oscar & golden globe awards show won. The soundtrack album is also a winner ! Everyone cast in this film was perfect. This film received 7 Academy Award nominations includeing BEST PICTURE. Loretta Lynn is still going strong 20 years after this movie was released. I seen her in concert recently and she still rules as the "QUEEN." I look foward to a sequal to this all time favorite film.
43 I agree with the others here!
Great Movie!! One of my all time faves! And to think that Sissy S. did all that singing, unbelievable!! She is one of the best actresses I have ever seen. I guess I have seen this move a dozen times.
44 GREAT, GREAT MOVIE. WHO HATES THIS MOVIE?
Loretta Lynn is one of the most beautiful voices that is out there. I may not agree with her seemingly uniformed political opinions but she is not a bad person. In fact my love for her increases every time she sings. She is what country should be. A strong woman not afraid to address issues and with real emotion that severely lacks today. The music also has emotion, not like a country star today who wants to sound rock and roll or so concerned with image singing about car parts and thinking if they sing about "simple" things that people will view them that way. No, Loretta is stronger than that and you can see why. Beautiful locations were picked by director Micheal Apted who really seems to love the mountain land as a character just as he did in Nell. I grew up in those mountains and they affect your life profoundly. Sissy is so great as is the tragically underrated Beverly D'Angelo who should have at least been nominated!!
45 Best Love Story Ever Told!
Sissy Spacek won a much-deserved Oscar for her lead in this wonderful biography of Loretta Lynn - the one and only queen of country music. I first saw this movie on the big screen in 1980 at the age of 20. I loved it THEN and I love it even more (if that's possible) NOW. I finally got my own copy last year and watch it over & over. Not only is Sissy Spacek fantastic in this movie so is Tommy Lee Jones and Beverly D'Angelo. It is a feel good movie with wonderful soundtrack. If you like the movie the soundtrack is simply a must. The only drawback is that it only comes in a cassette version, which is such a shame. The soundtrack also does something simply amazing. It does NOT star the music sung by Loretta Lynn & Patsy Cline but features the original stars from the movie: Sissy Spacek and Beverly D'Angelo. They sing all the songs on the soundtrack, which is unbelievable, since the music is simply fantastic! I own several Loretta Lynn & Patsy Cline CD's but this one should be in your collection as well.... Hold on, you're in for a treat. If they ever make this soundtrack in a CD version - rest assured I'd be the first in line at the checkout counter!
46 Sissy Specek does it again
Coal Miner's Daughter is a well written story. For a person who really doesn't listen to country music at all. Will enjoy this movie with its down home country feeling.
47 A MUST, A DEFINATE MUST!!!
I first saw this movie on the Big Screen, back in 1980. I was 8 years old, and a definate music lover, but was not much into country music at that time. If anything opened my eyes to country music, this movie is the reason. I have found a deep love for country music since then. I never realized how good Patsy cline, and Loretta Lynn sang untill this. I am now 27 years ols, and even 20 years later, it is still in my top 5 all time favorites. I watch my own Video of this movie, at least 4 times a year STILL!! I reccomend this movie to anyone, even if you dont like Country music, you may look at it differently after you see this!! If you like this movie, try to get your hands on "THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA",starring Kristy Mcnichol, and Dennis Quaid, filmed in 1981.
48 Outstanding, one of a kind, I love this movie.
Hi My name is WendyWoo29 from West Virginia. This was the very best movie ever made. Many others are so boring. I recommend every one in the world to watch it. I have seen it about 32 times and each time enjoy it even more.. If there is anyone out there to portray Loretta Lynn they hit right on the head with (Sissy Spacek), of course Loretta herself woould have been unbelievable.
49 Best country biopic ever
Based upon Loretta Lynn's fascinating autobiography, this film features an outstanding cast and excellent script. Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones are superb, and Beverly D'Angelo nearly steals the show with her portryal of the legendary Patsy Cline. An added treat is rocker Levon Helm (of the Band) as Loretta's father, Ted Webb. Even Loretta Lynn loved this film, and had great praise for Spacek's performance. One need not be a fan of country music to enjoy this superb film.
50 This movie portrayed the good and bad times of fame
This movie is my favorite. It shows the struggles stars go through. Especially the ones that had a hard time coming up. This movie is great. I would recommend it to anyone. I love the story of Loretta Lynn's life.
51 Incomplete Story
I don't know what happened, but the VHS had an incomplete story. Loretta was confiding with Patsy Cline, when the tape all of a sudden ended and rewound.
52 IT IS THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SAW
IT IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MR AND MRS LYNN.
53 It was a beautiful portray of the "First Lady of Country".
I truly loved this movie I saw it for the first time over Christmas and I couldn't believe what a beautiful job Sissy Spacek did in portraying Loretta Lynn. I have been to Loretta's ranch in Tennessee and I knew then I had to see this movie.Tommie Lee Jones was also excellent as "Doolittle". I would recommend CoalMiner's Daughter for anyone who enjoys the old country music and likes to find out how hard a star's life can really be. I am 18 years old and I enjoyed watching the life of Loretta Lynn. I give it 10 ********** stars and a thumbs up!
