LDS Movie Review: ****The Last Leaf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bscMNNbDNk

This is a 1983 version of the O'Henry story produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This a very well done movie in terms of cinematography as well as the telling of the story and the acting.  This story is a classic story of an artist, who has struggled all his life to paint his master piece.  It is only late in life that he finally is able to do this.  In doing so he sacrifices himself for the life of another.  This version is subtitled: A Parable of Easter or of the Atonement.  As Jesus sacrificed himself for all of us, this man sacrificed himself to paint that masterpiece, and save another.  Is their greater love.

Movie Night: ***A Gift of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bixV4l0NeTA
one of the songs
This is a 1978 made for TV movie.  It is available through Netflix DVD.  This movie stars Marie Osmond.  I ordered it well before Christmas, but it was put on back order.  It is a cute story based on  “The Gift of the Magi.” It does not follow faithfully the O’Henry story.  It actually starts sometime before and present exchange which makes the story famous, but is the love story of the young woman (Osmond) who has two suitors, the rich man she does not love, and the common laborer she does.  The story is familiar to everyone, of the gift exchange, he selling his watch to buy her combs for her hair, and she cutting her hair to buy him a chain for his watch, it is still moving.  To love such that you would give up your most prized possession is love indeed. 
Marie Osmond sings a couple songs.  However the songs to not sound period and don’t really add to the story.  The ice skating of the couple is cute.  Also the bird hunting of her first fiancé is also very funny.  It was actually the first fiancé, who realized they would not be happy, and suggested breaking off the wedding.  He, in the end, had more courage than he was given credit for.
And so she displeases her uncle, and goes after the man she loves.  It is Christmas Eve they are married, and Christmas day the gifts are presented.  I enjoyed this show, and feel others might as well.