I watched the series Christy when it aired on the INSP channel a few years ago. It was a VERY WONDERFUL series! I watched each episode. (Except the movies tho-never saw them). Too bad it was short lived. I love Kellie Martin. She was so good in it! It is a feel good programming that I like and enjoy. If it had lasted another season or two longer it would've been great to have aired on Hallmark Channel USA as well. I give this series 5 stars. Would love to re-watch the series again.
... View MoreAt least that's how much it was at Target in the TV series section. I took a chance on it, and wasn't too disappointed. After all, the price break down would make it less than a dollar an episode. Okay, that's not free, but it's about as close to being free as broadcast television is going to get on TV. It's well shot. Decent enough production values. Not a bad watch, but it's chick-TV. Okay, a sexist comment, but it's the truth. That, and it's religious chick TV. The character Christy herself reminds me of some of the young women I grew up with; just as sugary and naive in a variety of ways, and also intellectually vapid on a certain level.But, it is the Appalachians around the turn of the century, and things being what they were back then the series sticks close to the gist of what those times were like. Although I must say that the production values almost seemed over worked. The props, the color saturation, the accents, and acting itself seemed fairly overworked and almost exaggerated. But, the show is what it is, and if you're the target demographic for this thing (which admittedly I'm not), then it should entertain.Overall a decent watch, but it's clear why this series was never picked up for a second season. An "A" for effort. The historical aspect alone makes almost worth seeing, but the series has a very saccharine flavor about it in spite of its thrust at historic accuracy.Take it for what it is. Overworked religious pablum, but okay entertainment. Nothing more.
... View MoreChristy was a wonderful, suitable entertainment that everyone could enjoy, and if you crave drama and romance...you would not be disappointed in Christy. The struggles Christy endures to love and understand her schoolchildren and make a life for herself in the backwoods mission and not as a sheltered city girl are amazing. Christy also has two men deeply in love with her, and she with them for different reasons. In one corner is the earnest young minister David, and the stubborn, brooding, but lovable Dr. MacNeill. I hope that a miniseries will air to conclude the story on-screen. But if that never comes to pass, choose an ending for yourself and be happy!
... View MoreThis show was my daily dose of inspiration when it used to be shown on our Cable TV. Needless to say I miss seeing it again thoroughly but its effect is still fresh in my mind. 'Christy' is an adaptation of Catherine Marshall's famous novel by the same name. What Patricia Green, Michael Rhodes and the rest of the 'Christy' team have done is to not only adapt the novel, but also add their own input and ingenuity without reverting from Marshall's basic conception of story and moral point of view. The character Christy was inspired by the experiences of Marshall's own mother as a teacher in the rural Smokey mountains of Tennessee at the start of the 20th century. Marshall's novel, as such, is tackled in the first two episodes of the series itself and all the rest of the episodes are imaginatively built up by the show's team. 'Christy' is basically about a young conscientious girl who leaves the comforts of her city life to teach in the far-off rural village of Cutter Gap surrounded by the ethereal Smokey Mountains. More than anything, this series is about a girl growing up, maturing through her bitter-sweet interaction with the people of Cutter Gap. Christy's initial shock at the stark hand-to-mouth existence of the villagers, her sense of moral justice, wanting to do something but not knowing the right way, her emotional conflict and the comfort and friendship she finally establishes with the kind Miss Alice at the backwood's Mission, Fairlight Spencer and most of all, "her children", are all beautifully brought out making this series a kind of a growing inspirational experience. Kellie Martin is excellent as Christy! They couldn't have found anyone better! More than just enacting a character, she comes alive as a person, an individual and helps the audience empathize with her situation which is so important when playing such a character. Adding to the story and drama are of course the two men in Christy's life - the opinionated and rather sullen Scottish doctor McNeill and the handsome and equally opinionated preacher David Grantland. Christy's interaction with these two men eventually develops into a rather humorous love-triangle with frequent debates and arguments between the two opinionated men on God and science and the object of their mutual affection, Christy!What 'Christy' also beautifully portrays is rural life - from the outbreak of scarlet fever, unavailability of good medicine to superstitions ingrained in the minds of the rural folk and their constant vulnerability to corrupt rich city men promising them money for their land... All these various aspects of rural life at the start of the century are effectively mingled with Christy's story and her character is strengthened by her involvement in all these issues. What drew me to this series is a sense of identification with Christy and her life... especially her conversations with Miss Alice, with the latter always providing a kind word and advice when needed. Also Christy's friendship with Fairlight is beautifully etched. I can't forget their "secret" place - a clearing at the edge of the woods facing an enormous valley and the colossal, vibrant Smokey Mountains in all their glory... Tyne Daly and Tess Harper, both have given one of the best, most endearing performances of their respective careers and the same can be said of Kellie Martin. Last but not the least, Christy's relationship with her children, her students is also well established, from making an otherwise quiet girl little girl to express herself, to winning over the roguish Lundy Taylor, all the student characters especially Rob Allen become familiar as the series advances. All in all, watching this show is an altogether enriching experience in the company of the idyllic Smokey Mountains. I especially used to love Christy's narration at the start of each episode about her arrival in Cutter Gap, starting with 'When I left my city home to be a school teacher at the Backwood's mission, I dreamt of adventure...' MEMORABLE!
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