New on DVD: "When Calls the Heart," a Hallmark Channel Movie and Upcoming TV Series!

When I was asked to review the new DVD, When Calls the Heart, which originally appeared on the Hallmark Channel, I jumped at the chance because the story is based on a novel by one of my favorite Christian authors, Janette Oke. Directed by Michael Landon Jr., this film is really two stories in one -- both about women named Elizabeth Thatcher. The first Elizabeth Thatcher featured is a privileged young woman who, in the year 1910, is given the opportunity to become a teacher in a Western coal-mining town. Despite her family’s fears for her safety and lack of confidence in her ability to handle the rough conditions, Elizabeth becomes more determined than ever to accept the position when she discovers the diary of her aunt -- also named Elizabeth Thatcher -- who also embarked on her own adventure many years earlier to teach in a frontier school. The movie alternates between the two women’s stories and the parallels between their lives.
Watch the movie trailer below:

I loved the characters, history, adventure, humor and, yes, romance in When Calls the Heart. Both storylines were fascinating and expertly woven together. My only complaint was that I felt the movie ended rather abruptly, but then I read that it will become a TV series in 2014, which completely explains why all the issues weren’t played out in the movie. I will definitely be watching the series when it comes out next year. You can follow the series’ news on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/whencallstheheart.
When this movie debuted on the Hallmark Channel, it garnered 3.2 million viewers, making it the #1 movie of the week on ad-support cable channels. Since I missed it then, I’m so glad I got the opportunity to see When Calls the Heart. It’s a highly entertaining story that’s suitable for the whole family. Learn more about When Calls the Heart at www.hallmarkchannel.com/whencallstheheart.
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