Keeping the Promise
Encyclopedia
Keeping the Promise is a 1997 historical drama
television film
based on the children's novel The Sign of the Beaver
by Elizabeth George Speare
. The film was released to DVD
and VHS
on July 25, 2000.
) and his father, (Keith Carradine
) who, as early settlers, together build a wooden cabin in Maine in 1768. However, Matt's father must head back to Quincy, Massachusetts, to get Matt's mother, sister, and newborn sibling who were all left behind so Matt and his father could build shelter for them. Matt's father promises to return in seven weeks and Matt is left alone with his father's old watch (a family heirloom) and a hunting rifle to guard the family's newly-built homestead and field crops. Unfortunately, Matt finds himself enduring many hardships for which he is unprepared. His hunting rifle is stolen by a stranger named Ben, his crop is picked over by the wildlife, and his food supplies are pillaged by a hungry bear.
Wanting to sweeten his hunger urge, Matt raids a honeybee hive for honey and is attacked by the furry and very harmful bees. Attempting to escape the swarm, he jumps into a pond, losing a shoe and hurting his ankle in the process. Luckily, Matt's foolhardy adventure has not gone unnoticed and he is pulled from the water. Ironically, the Indians he has learned to fear, through tales that his father had told him, save his life in this part of the story.
His numerous stings are treated by the Indian chief named Saknis. After recovering, the thankful Matt offers one of his books, Robinson Crusoe, as a gift to Saknis, and his grandson Attean. However, they both are unable read English. Saknis commands that Matt is to teach his grandson to read. Although uncertain of how to teach anyone, especially the unwilling Attean, Matt accepts the task out of gratitude and courtesy, as he owes his life to the man.
Matt does not immediately befriend Attean, although the two young boys eventually form a strong friendship as they help each other through difficult circumstances. When Matt's family has not yet returned after many months Attean invites Matt to join his tribe, who are moving west to new hunting grounds. Although Matt is good friends with Attean and enjoys Indian culture, he has not forgotten his family. Matt has to decide whether to join the Indian tribe, or return to his cabin and wait for his family to return.
Near the end of the story, Attean goes off to find his manitou which Matt calls a spirit, and Attean is afraid because it will take him a very long time. Although Matt longs for Attean to stay he is happy for his great friend. Matt asks the question of what if Attean's manitou doesn't come. Although this offends Attean because without it in their culture he can't be a man, he answers "even if I have to wait many winters I get manitou to become a man". So Matt waits for Attean to get his manitou. He decides to wait, although parting from his new friend, Attean, is difficult. The two boys trade gifts, Matt gives Attean his treasured watch that his father gave him before he left and Attean leaving his dog behind with Matt. Attean's grandmother gives Matt some maple sugar, and Saknis gives Matt a pair of snowshoes. Sure enough, Matt's family returns in the winter, just as the first small snow of the season arrives
There is nothing in the movie about Matt getting chased by bees or him looking for honey. He falls in the water while chasing Loomis to get his father's rifle back.
Historical fiction
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional...
television film
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
based on the children's novel The Sign of the Beaver
The Sign of the Beaver
The Sign of the Beaver is a historical fiction children's novel by author Elizabeth George Speare, which has merited numerous literary awards. It was published in February 1983, and has become one of her most popular works...
by Elizabeth George Speare
Elizabeth George Speare
Elizabeth George Speare was an American children's author who won many awards for her historical fiction novels, including two Newbery Medals. She has been called one of America’s 100 most popular children’s authors and much of her work has become mandatory reading in many schools throughout the...
. The film was released to DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
and VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
on July 25, 2000.
Plot
Keeping The Promise, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy, Matt (Brendan FletcherBrendan Fletcher
Brendan Fletcher is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:Fletcher was born in Comox Valley, British Columbia and went to junior high school at Lake Trail in Courtenay, British Columbia....
) and his father, (Keith Carradine
Keith Carradine
Keith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
) who, as early settlers, together build a wooden cabin in Maine in 1768. However, Matt's father must head back to Quincy, Massachusetts, to get Matt's mother, sister, and newborn sibling who were all left behind so Matt and his father could build shelter for them. Matt's father promises to return in seven weeks and Matt is left alone with his father's old watch (a family heirloom) and a hunting rifle to guard the family's newly-built homestead and field crops. Unfortunately, Matt finds himself enduring many hardships for which he is unprepared. His hunting rifle is stolen by a stranger named Ben, his crop is picked over by the wildlife, and his food supplies are pillaged by a hungry bear.
Wanting to sweeten his hunger urge, Matt raids a honeybee hive for honey and is attacked by the furry and very harmful bees. Attempting to escape the swarm, he jumps into a pond, losing a shoe and hurting his ankle in the process. Luckily, Matt's foolhardy adventure has not gone unnoticed and he is pulled from the water. Ironically, the Indians he has learned to fear, through tales that his father had told him, save his life in this part of the story.
His numerous stings are treated by the Indian chief named Saknis. After recovering, the thankful Matt offers one of his books, Robinson Crusoe, as a gift to Saknis, and his grandson Attean. However, they both are unable read English. Saknis commands that Matt is to teach his grandson to read. Although uncertain of how to teach anyone, especially the unwilling Attean, Matt accepts the task out of gratitude and courtesy, as he owes his life to the man.
Matt does not immediately befriend Attean, although the two young boys eventually form a strong friendship as they help each other through difficult circumstances. When Matt's family has not yet returned after many months Attean invites Matt to join his tribe, who are moving west to new hunting grounds. Although Matt is good friends with Attean and enjoys Indian culture, he has not forgotten his family. Matt has to decide whether to join the Indian tribe, or return to his cabin and wait for his family to return.
Near the end of the story, Attean goes off to find his manitou which Matt calls a spirit, and Attean is afraid because it will take him a very long time. Although Matt longs for Attean to stay he is happy for his great friend. Matt asks the question of what if Attean's manitou doesn't come. Although this offends Attean because without it in their culture he can't be a man, he answers "even if I have to wait many winters I get manitou to become a man". So Matt waits for Attean to get his manitou. He decides to wait, although parting from his new friend, Attean, is difficult. The two boys trade gifts, Matt gives Attean his treasured watch that his father gave him before he left and Attean leaving his dog behind with Matt. Attean's grandmother gives Matt some maple sugar, and Saknis gives Matt a pair of snowshoes. Sure enough, Matt's family returns in the winter, just as the first small snow of the season arrives
Characters
- Brendan FletcherBrendan FletcherBrendan Fletcher is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:Fletcher was born in Comox Valley, British Columbia and went to junior high school at Lake Trail in Courtenay, British Columbia....
as Matt Hallowell - Keith CarradineKeith CarradineKeith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
as William "Will" Hallowell (Matt's Father) - Annette O'TooleAnnette O'TooleAnnette O'Toole is an American actress, dancer, and singer-songwriter. She is most recently known for portraying Martha Kent, the mother of Clark Kent on the television series Smallville.-Early life and career:...
as Anne Hallowell (Matt's mother) - Allegra DentonAllegra DentonAllegra Denton is a Canadian former child actress most notable for her role in the TV movie Hidden in America.-Filmography:- External links :...
as Sarah Hallowell (Matt's sister) - Gordon Tootoosis as Chief Saknis (Attean's Grandfather)
- William Lightning as Attean
- Maury ChaykinMaury ChaykinMaury Alan Chaykin was an American-born Canadian actor. Best known for his portrayal of detective Nero Wolfe, he was also known for his work as a character actor in many films and on television programs.-Personal life:...
as Ben Loomis - David CubittDavid CubittDavid Cubitt is a Canadian television actor.Born in England in 1965 to a Dutch mother and a British father, he moved with his parents to Vancouver, British Columbia when he was six months old. He studied at Studio 58 there. He has starred in the Canadian series Traders and the American series...
as Boat Agent
There is nothing in the movie about Matt getting chased by bees or him looking for honey. He falls in the water while chasing Loomis to get his father's rifle back.