This is a slow-moving and gently philosophical film (see Plot Synopsis) about the subject of marriage, suitable chiefly for adults. It's a bit sad, but not really a tear-jerker, in my opinion. For its day, I think it has quite a bit of depth regarding commentary on marriage and sexual temptation. In the old-fashioned style of movies, nothing overtly sexual is shown, but those scenes are very striking and tenderly suggestive. I liked it quite a bit, and it also taught me something about fidelity, too (as another poster said). Its ending is not predictable but consonant with the characters' struggles and the film's attempt to address the underlying issues.
11 Reviews
Drama of marriage conflicts set during the Holidays
SimonJack23 December 2018
"Silent Night, Lonely Night" is another drama that takes place at Christmas time. The holiday setting is what brings one of the principal characters to the story. That, and the dour doldrums some people have when they are alone at such times, are the main aspects that fit this into the genre of Christmas films. Otherwise, it's not one that most people would want to replay over the holiday season.
That's not to say this isn't a good film. Indeed, it is a very good drama about a very likely real life situation similar to what any number of people may have experienced. For that reason, it is a very good study in human emotions. It's a good drama about family tragedy, illness, fidelity and infidelity. It's a story about betrayal, loyalty, loneliness, guilt, forgiveness and temptation. Lloyd Bridges and Shirley Jones play the leads very well.
Being a heavy drama, the film's pace may put many people off. Especially younger, modern audiences who have been weened mostly on non-stop action movies. But, for those willing to sit through it, this movie will present a good picture of personal conflict in trying times of marriage. It really strikes at the meaning of the traditional marriage vow of fidelity in sickness and health, good times and bad, and for better or worse.
That's not to say this isn't a good film. Indeed, it is a very good drama about a very likely real life situation similar to what any number of people may have experienced. For that reason, it is a very good study in human emotions. It's a good drama about family tragedy, illness, fidelity and infidelity. It's a story about betrayal, loyalty, loneliness, guilt, forgiveness and temptation. Lloyd Bridges and Shirley Jones play the leads very well.
Being a heavy drama, the film's pace may put many people off. Especially younger, modern audiences who have been weened mostly on non-stop action movies. But, for those willing to sit through it, this movie will present a good picture of personal conflict in trying times of marriage. It really strikes at the meaning of the traditional marriage vow of fidelity in sickness and health, good times and bad, and for better or worse.
Holds up quite well after 50 years
psp111923 May 2021
For a TV movie from over 50 years ago, it holds up remarkably well. A quiet, intelligent film, with some beautiful (and REAL) snow scenes shot in Amherst, MA, where the story is set. The most unrealistic scene was where they tear around on a snowmobile amidst numerous x-c skiers, barely missing hitting some of them. In real life, the skiers would be ANGRY at that, and for good reason! And there is no explanation given why Sparrow is suddenly an expert at guiding a horse-drawn sleigh on a long afternoon ride through the snow (and manages to bring it right into town, as well, lol). But those are minor things, overall the movie is well worth a view.
Charming, although so very little actually happens
billteas28 December 2000
The film is watchable, especially if you have a soft spot for homey New England countryside in wintertime, or for Lloyd Bridges or Shirley Jones in fairly small roles. They circle each other, she: self-depriving and disciplined by principle, stunted socially; he: rougish in a restrained and admirable sort of way, but refusing to divulge a lie to her.
There is a hilarious scene in which John Sparrow (Lloyd Bridges) takes an afternoon jaunt on a Ski-Doo snowmobile, tearing around, laughing out loud and bailing out. This fad must have been in full swing in 1969 but looks bizarre and forced as an 'amusement' activity now! Later they take a picture perfect sleighride through Robert Frost country and you wish you were along.
Post-Airplane, it's indeed hard to see Lloyd Bridges open a bottle of scotch whiskey without saying aloud "Looks like I picked the wrong week to give up drinking!" Seeing son Jeff Bridges play Lloyd in a flashback to his college days (scene is shot inside the old Amherst College "Cage" basketball gymnasium) is fun. Carrie Snodgress appears as a student with her boyfriend, who admonish John and Katherine as the "establishment types" for their old tired ethics, and all share in the merriment of the season....
Cloris Leachman is wonderful in a cameo as the townie whom John may or may not recall from his past.
Nice film to watch at Christmastime -- the action all unfolds in the day or two before Christmas, and resolves on Christmas morning.
There is a hilarious scene in which John Sparrow (Lloyd Bridges) takes an afternoon jaunt on a Ski-Doo snowmobile, tearing around, laughing out loud and bailing out. This fad must have been in full swing in 1969 but looks bizarre and forced as an 'amusement' activity now! Later they take a picture perfect sleighride through Robert Frost country and you wish you were along.
Post-Airplane, it's indeed hard to see Lloyd Bridges open a bottle of scotch whiskey without saying aloud "Looks like I picked the wrong week to give up drinking!" Seeing son Jeff Bridges play Lloyd in a flashback to his college days (scene is shot inside the old Amherst College "Cage" basketball gymnasium) is fun. Carrie Snodgress appears as a student with her boyfriend, who admonish John and Katherine as the "establishment types" for their old tired ethics, and all share in the merriment of the season....
Cloris Leachman is wonderful in a cameo as the townie whom John may or may not recall from his past.
Nice film to watch at Christmastime -- the action all unfolds in the day or two before Christmas, and resolves on Christmas morning.
One special holiday.
mark.waltz29 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
For those who have seen the 1999 James Garner/Julie Andrews TV movie "One Special Night", they will be reminded of that when they see this earlier TV movie from 30 years before starring Lloyd Bridges and Shirley Jones. They are heading by bus to the same New England town at the holiday season, with Bridges visiting institutionalized wife Lynn Carlin and Jones visiting her son who was in the hospital. While there, Jones gets the best Christmas present, a husband who wants a divorce, and Carlin becomes suicidal, leaving both Bridges and Jones to become very vulnerable. Conversations over affairs makes it clear that Jones doesn't want to have one, and Bridges is far too confused by his feelings to pursue one. They begin a friendly holiday encounter similar minus anything sexual, so this becomes much more romantic as they really begin to care about each other. But is it as friends who can really communicate or something more?
Both this and "One Special Night" deal with strangers whose sudden encounter surprises them, and they take place in snowy, country locations. That really adds to the feeling of the holiday. Separately, Jones and Bridges go to see a W. C. Fields movie at the local theater, and while Bridges is there, he encounters Cloris Leachman whom he knew when he was in college in the area. As much as I like Leachman, she's rather annoying in this, someone who doesn't stop talking while in the theater and then whose presents later ruins a ice cream date between Jones and Bridges. A flashback scene has Jeff Bridges playing his father's character when younger, while the actress playing the young Leachman looks really nothing like her.
The adorable Nydia Westman (a veteran character actress who was playing old ladies in the 1930's) is memorable as the inn's maid, a good natured and cheery woman whom you just want to hug. Carlin is extremely frantic as the wife, rather depressing in her few scenes. Carrie Snodgrass has a small role as a young woman staying at the end with her boyfriend whom Bridges and Jones spend some time with. This is at its best when it just has the two leads by themselves discussing real life issues and becoming close as stranger sometimes do in tender situations when they need someone to confide in. This is certainly not a traditional Christmas movie, nor is it "Same Time Next Year". The important thing is that it's about two characters you really come to like, played by two actors you most likely have always liked.
Both this and "One Special Night" deal with strangers whose sudden encounter surprises them, and they take place in snowy, country locations. That really adds to the feeling of the holiday. Separately, Jones and Bridges go to see a W. C. Fields movie at the local theater, and while Bridges is there, he encounters Cloris Leachman whom he knew when he was in college in the area. As much as I like Leachman, she's rather annoying in this, someone who doesn't stop talking while in the theater and then whose presents later ruins a ice cream date between Jones and Bridges. A flashback scene has Jeff Bridges playing his father's character when younger, while the actress playing the young Leachman looks really nothing like her.
The adorable Nydia Westman (a veteran character actress who was playing old ladies in the 1930's) is memorable as the inn's maid, a good natured and cheery woman whom you just want to hug. Carlin is extremely frantic as the wife, rather depressing in her few scenes. Carrie Snodgrass has a small role as a young woman staying at the end with her boyfriend whom Bridges and Jones spend some time with. This is at its best when it just has the two leads by themselves discussing real life issues and becoming close as stranger sometimes do in tender situations when they need someone to confide in. This is certainly not a traditional Christmas movie, nor is it "Same Time Next Year". The important thing is that it's about two characters you really come to like, played by two actors you most likely have always liked.
A guilty pleasure
SpellingAddict9 September 2001
I've loved this TV movie from the first time I saw it. The reason I now think of it as a "guilty pleasure" is that, since it was made in 1969, it's now quite dated and I think I'd be embarrassed now if I were caught watching the characters in their dated clothes, language, etc. But underneath the surface, it is a very mature, compassionate and moving story. Very touching. The sex scenes are almost hard to watch, they're so intimate and real. I think it's a timeless story. Lloyd Bridges was a hunk!!
Stunning movie: a gift for the senses, the spirit and the heart
csts123 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER ALERT:
This movie is brilliant. Sure, if you're looking for action, or fast speech, or melodrama, it's not for you. This quiet, absorbing film leads you on an emotional journey through the souls of two people that ends up touching your own. Thoughtful, not preachy, it examines the human spirit at its best and worst, in a sylvan setting that echoes many people's Christmas dreams. Essentially it celebrates our ability to rise above sadness and to remain open to others in this world while still embracing our principles. A moving, year-round movie with a sad and yet ultimately softly triumphant ending.
This movie is brilliant. Sure, if you're looking for action, or fast speech, or melodrama, it's not for you. This quiet, absorbing film leads you on an emotional journey through the souls of two people that ends up touching your own. Thoughtful, not preachy, it examines the human spirit at its best and worst, in a sylvan setting that echoes many people's Christmas dreams. Essentially it celebrates our ability to rise above sadness and to remain open to others in this world while still embracing our principles. A moving, year-round movie with a sad and yet ultimately softly triumphant ending.
A lesson in fidelity
castle120 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Something I learned in this movie has helped me avoid the temptation to have an affair. Even though Lloyd Bridges' wife is ill, (I think she was mentally ill, and would never love him again) and the alluring Shirley Jones is there for the taking; Lloyd stays with his wife. As he put it "How important it is to have someone to REMEMBER WITH. Without her, I have no past."
Each time I think about this movie, I realize that my spouse is irreplaceable...and I love her more and more. There are lots of pretty faces and pretty bodies "out there", but you'll be happier if you stay with what you have.
Each time I think about this movie, I realize that my spouse is irreplaceable...and I love her more and more. There are lots of pretty faces and pretty bodies "out there", but you'll be happier if you stay with what you have.
Very sad, but excellent movie
olphart488 December 2020
This is a very sad movie, but very realistic, well-acted, and relatable in a lot of ways. It almost forces the viewer to hope for a number of possible outcomes, and keeps you wondering right up to the very end of the movie. And then the viewer has to decide how he or she feels about the choices made.
I don't normally care for dramas like this one, but it is so well done, I can't help but love it.
It stays with you.
thebetterkc11 December 2021
I was sharing an apartment with three fellow recent college graduates when this was first telecast in 1969. I don't remember a lot about it except how it made me feel. When it was over there were four guys refusing to make eye contact with one another as we cried. It was a good movie. It was about two people who briefly find each other during a difficult time in their lives. I would have loved to have seen Henry Fonda and Barbara bel Geddes in the play.
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