I'm writing this 40 years after first seeing this movie, so that should tell you how tremendously this film impressed me. It was released so close to Vietnam that almost any war movie made one think of Vietnam even when not about that war.Richard Thomas was the perfect actor for the lead. His sensitive interpretation of a boy becoming the man of the house through less than typical circumstances should have won awards.But this movie wasn't as funny of Summer of 42 and wasn't as heart-braking as the Last Picture Show, so it failed to grab the attention it deserved.

Too bad this movie is not playing in an era where it could probably do the most good. In an era where the 'me first and to heck with everyone else',is prevalent and even encouraged. This was the most moving movie I have ever seen.I saw it when it came out and never forgot it.I am 49 and saw it on a cable channel three weeks ago. I believe people of all ages should see it but people today probably could not relate to the story line because most of the films that come out during this era are mindless violence, sex and crime ridden 'action' movies with very little to no thought provocation. This movie was very underrated then and it is now.

A conversation over dinner tonight prompted my looking up Red Sky At Morning. My husband and I were talking about the old saying Red Sky at Morning which led to the discovery we had both seeing the film in our teens long before we ever met.One of the funniest lines in the whole film is during a make out scene in the truck and the girl saying "hey that's not a radio knob". I remember my friends laughing over that for weeks. 30 years later - my husband remembers the same line.Neither one of us could remember much of the plot except, we remember LOVING the movie and wishing we could see it again. It must have made quite an impression.I had forgotten Desi Arnaz, Jr was even in the film. This must have been about the time he was in Tiger Beat and dating Patty Duke. I am really old to remember that. I can still remember a voice-over with Richard Thomas reciting "Red Sky at Morning - Sailors Take Warning. Red Sky at Night - Sailors Delight." I think it had a sunrise scene right out of Gone With The Wind. In my youthful ignorance - I thought he was quoting scripture.Not a great movie but certainly it tried and for horndog hormonal teenagers - memorable.Wish it was on DVD!

Released in 1971, the same year as two other nostalgic hit movies, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW and SUMMER OF '42, this film has been undeservedly forgotten. A simple story of a Southwest family during World War II, with excellent acting (let me put it this way... even Desi Arnaz, Jr. does a good job), nice dialogue and an attention to period detail. This ain't available on DVD or even VHS, so if you catch it on TV, do yourself a favor and check it out.