Christmas Comes to Willow Creek (1987 TV Movie) User Reviews

Not too bad, in fact pretty good.

[Delphian · 6/10 · 24 December 2000]

Tom Wopat and John Schneider team up again -- post-Dukes of Hazzard -- for this made-for-TV movie. This time they play feuding brothers who both work for the same trucking company.

The owner of the company is a native of the small Alaska town of Willow Creek and each year he sends a truck of presents back to the folks at home. This year he plans on making the trip himself, but his health keeps him bedridden in sunny California. Ray (Schneider) is already scheduled to make the run with him, but the owner insists that Pete (Wopat) go along too.

Along the way the two face many obstacles that force them to think over their differences. Pete is the older, dependable, sensible one (think Luke Duke), while Ray is the younger, undependable, irresponsible one (think Bo Duke). Finally they work their differences out in time to bring the Christmas spirit to Willow Creek.

Wopat and Schneider fall easily into their roles and turn out admirable performances. Schneider is at his best as his character grapples with giving up the carefree, reckless life for doting fatherhood. Notice the dramatic turnaround his character has made by the end of the movie. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the rest of the cast, especially the Willow Creek townspeople. Their characters are underdeveloped and overacted, bringing the movie down with them. The story is a good one, but the miserable performances of the supporting cast destroy the impact the movie could have achieved.

Still this movie is a must for any die-hard Dukes of Hazzard fan. It is the only project Wopat and Schneider have done together that isn't related to The Dukes. And it is a good family film. It has the nice happy ending, with the re-affirmation of the importance of family that makes everyone feel warm and fuzzy.

Has Great Moments

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 7 September 2017]

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 300 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

The film stars John Schneider and Tom Wopat[1] (reunited from The Dukes of Hazzard, and one of the few projects in which the pair didn't play the Duke cousins), with Kim Delaney, Zachary Ansley, Joy Coghill and Hoyt Axton. Music for the film includes songs written and recorded by Billy Milo.

In this film Willow Creek is a small town in Alaska. It has fallen on very hard times. The local cannery closed and the town is no suffering because there is no jobs for them anymore. Now a former Willow Creek resident still has a a soft spot in his heart for his former hometown. What he does is really what the Christmas Spirit is about.

Even though I liked this movie some of the stuff is "Silly". What is nice that film does so well is that "Forgiving is Important" "Nobody is perfect", "Help when you can" and most of all "Never give up hope".

It is worth watching.

Brotherhood and love over the long haul in this Christmas movie

[SimonJack · 6/10 · 26 December 2014]

This is one of those Christmas movies about modern day redemption and reconciliation. The plot of "Christmas Comes to Willow Creek," is good. The script, acting and direction are just fair. Improvements in any of these areas would lift the rating of the film a notch or two. John Schneider and Tom Wopat of "The Dukes of Hazzard" TV fame are two brothers on the outs over a woman. The plot jumps between the brothers in California at the trucking firm they drive for, headed by Hoyt Axton as Al; and Al's hometown, Willow Creek, Alaska.

I enjoyed the scenic shots, especially once Ray and Pete hit the road, with Pete's son, Michael, in tow. The incidents they get into on the trip add some zest to the movie. The northern end of the trip was filmed in the Yukon Territory. All in all, this is an OK movie that most will enjoy. Those who remember watching The Dukes of Hazard on TV may think they're watching scenes from that series – in some of the skirmishes Ray gets into. Minus Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco Coltrane, of course.

A great heart-warning movie.

[john-shelman · 7/10 · 13 January 2005]

This movie centers around a very dysfunctional family. One one hand, we have two brothers, Ray and Pete who had a disagreement over a girl (Jessie) years ago, and can hardly stand each other now. They lost their father when very young, and were raised by Al, the owner of the trucking firm they work for now. Pete has a teen age son (Mike) who he is struggling with, trying to raise alone, and getting nothing but resentment and trouble from the boy. Mike resents the fact that his mother is no longer with them, and that his dad has spent most of their Christmas's on the road, hauling freight. Ray brother has his own struggles, having had his wife Jessie walk out on him after finding out he did not want any children. He didn't know she was expecting at the time. Now let's bring Willow Creek into the story, way up in Alaska, Al's hometown. It seems the town is on it's last legs, having lost all hope of bringing in any industry to replace the now closed cannery. Al has a special plan, but a near heart attack keeps him from being able to go. Someone has to deliver the load, and for reasons Al won't divulge, Ray has to be there too. So we head for Alaska, two brothers who can't stand each other, with Mike hand-cuffed in the back seat of the truck. They meet up with a very pregnant Jessie on the way, and as the baby arrives, find out that there are things more important than the things they have been fighting about. They put their differences aside, and a family is restored. Al's surprise brings about not only the salvation of the town, but a new start for Ray and his new family. Pete and Mike also manage to have the heart to heart communication that they needed to have had years before, and become a father and son again. I have to watch this one every year. If you can get past seeing Pete and Ray as the "Duke Boys) you'll love it.

Still a wonderful movie

[LaBelle1979 · 10/10 · 14 November 2008]

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. This film proves that you don't have to use profanity every other word, endless scenes of meaningless violence, and that hope does still exist. Yes, it does look like a Dukes Of Hazzard reunion, but they make this film work. Hoyt Axton is excellent as Al Besinger.

The scenery is beautiful to view. The plot is wonderfully set, with a heart-warming ending. It is a perfect film to watch at Christmas time. I would not be worried about letting my young children watch this film because of the message it sends out.

I wish that movies made today would take some lessons.

This is an odd little Christmas film that is filled with Christmas spirit and reunited the Dukes of Hazard stars.

[cgvsluis · 6/10 · 22 December 2022]

This is the story about a small one industry Alaskan town named Willow Creek. Unfortunately, the cannery has been closed and this impacts everyone. It is looking like a bleak Christmas for the Willow Creek residents when many miles away in California Al, a former resident, is filling up a truck to play Santa to the Willow Creek residents. When Al's health takes a turn for the worse he convinces two of his employees to make the run in his stead. Pete and Ray are truck driving brothers who had a bit of a dispute over a girl which has put them on the outs. Pete's son ends up making the run to Alaska with them and through a series of flashbacks you learn what is at the heart of the brothers' dispute. Along the way they pick up an additional passenger, get into a few fights...both with each other and others, and in a true Christmas miracle a baby is birthed by a shepherd. The real question is will the brothers get the truckload of supplies to Willow Creek in time to save Christmas?

The brothers are played by none other than Dukes of Hazard alumnus John Schneider and Tom Wopat, who played wonderfully off each other as fighting siblings. The music was unique and one song of note that got me chuckling was "Barstools and babies don't mix, now I'm home by six."

I was happy to see Homer get his true Christmas miracle before he froze in his Santa suit!

This is an unusual Christmas movie to say the least, but it is filled with brotherly love, neighbor helping neighbor, and the spirit of Christmas. So, if you are looking for a non-mainstream Christmas film or are a huge Dukes of Hazard fan, this might be the Christmas movie for you.

For me this was a watch and delete, but I did enjoy it for it's uniqueness while it was on.

Not the Dumbest Movie I've Seen, But Competitive

[docm-32304 · 2/10 · 6 December 2020]

I have no idea what the reviewers were watching, but this movie is simply terrible. The characters are stupid and the writing is even worse. Only a bot could give this a rating over 5, but all the 8's and even 10's....come on people, the rating system is supposed to be helpful

« truck-drivers are cool » (web)

[leplatypus · 10/10 · 19 May 2016]

This is the title of a famous radio show in France and this applies to this movie. Sure it's strange to have country songs for Christmas season, Kim's character is a bit flat as well as the road trip ; the magic of the season is a bit ridiculous but at the end, no one can deny that the movie has good intentions, is full of loving feelings and just for that, it's refreshing ! for one time, no guns, no violence, no blood, no terrible villain, no gratuitous nudity, no discrimination quotas, just the simple life with simple people, happy to be together ! In addition, it offers a new meeting with faces i know from my childhood : the « gremlins » father, the « dukes of Hazzard » and the future Billy Miles from « X-files » . So it's not the movie of the century but it's worthy to be on the good side of the rating !

Charming Christmas Movie

[wwcainformation · 5 January 2020]

This was a charming Christmas movie that I believe was made for TV. It was nice to see John Schneider and Tom Wopat of Dukes of Hazard fame working together again. Just a nice feel good, family Christmas story about a trucker helping out a small town up north.

One Truck Drivers Opinion

[ehrldawg · 6/10 · 5 September 2011]

A couple of brothers hash out there differences on an annual Christmas run to a remote village in Alaska.

Bo and Luke Duke in a trucker movie!!Im normally not into sappy movies like this. But there are certain actors who make this kinda thing bearable. John Schneider and Tom Wopat are two such actors.And the wrighting also made this movie worth your time. The jackknife scene was a little intense also.

John Schneider and Tom Wopat driver the Freightliner 18 wheeler.

John Schneider and Tom Wopat are permanent A list actors.

Kim Delany,Lelani Marrell,Barbera Russell,Francis Cooper, and Joy Coghill and the two damsells in distress at the truck stop diner are hot!!

erldwgstruckermovies.com

Christmas Gift to Alaska

[tuttlerj · 8/10 · 20 December 2013]

From LA to tiny Willow Creek Alaska with a semi-load of holiday cheer! I just found this movie in my favorite Seattle video store, and loved it. On the first viewing the acting seemed a little rough, but maybe that's OK - after all it is a truckers film. And a 1987 made for TV one at that. The cinematography is especially good with nice scenes of Alaska and cool long shots of the road. The story is appropriately warmhearted, with maybe just a bit too much brawling, but that's the Hollywood and LA television world for you.

Some really nice incidental moments in this film..... the lonely harmonica solo on a quiet wintry street, the Reno cop quoting Sir Walter Scott, his swish partner wiggling out of the scene in sexy police "tights", and Homer, the town sage, sitting atop the Willow Creek water tower like a four year old in his Santa suit, 'til the spirit of Christmas returns. And it does! The music is fun too. Lots of Opera and opera bashing! Some nice bluegrass, and the Willow Creek holiday band clunking their way through "Good King something or other"..... throughout the show.

Also quite nice, is the way the writer and director portrayed the Christmas miracle/fantasy, just letting it be a part of the ongoing story without making a big deal out of it. The actors handled this very well.

I have to say, if the scene with Jessie and her newborn baby coming out of a snowbound semi with three rowdy, desperate characters doesn't remind you of a modern day Alaskan Highway Nativity.... you need to get your butt back into church this Christmas.

Well, a belated 2013 thank you to all who contributed to the making of Christmas Comes To Willow Creek, a 1987 gem.

Wonderful Chrismas Movie

[doug5358 · 8/10 · 16 December 2006]

I have watched this movie every year that I have had it at Christmas time. I feel that it really shows the true meaning of Christmas.

While I really enjoy the performances of Tom Wopat and John Schnieder, I think that the actor who plays Mike, Zachary Ansley, does the best job as he transforms from rebellious Juvenile Deliquent to a dependable, and upright young man.

There are several other good scenes, including the poetry-spouting policeman, the delivery scene, and the final scene at Al's house.

I would recommend this movie to all families, but there is some bad language and violence.

Life Is Bigger Than One Of Us

[ChopperDD · 8/10 · 21 December 2018]

I remember well when this came out. The moral of this movie depicts that there are more important things in life instead of ourselves. The filming locations are more than Canada. Definitely quite a few California locations. The oceanside scene looks to be in Ventura County, California.

Another all time favorite of mine

[adonnashay · 10/10 · 6 December 2021]

A++++ I can never get enough of this movie. I only have a few favorite movies and being a Christmas 365 person this is at least a 10 time a year movie.

If You Like Trashy Movies, You Won't Like This One

[mboland-58216 · 10/10 · 1 November 2022]

I honestly can not fathom how people could watch Christmas Comes To Willow Creek and not absolutely LOVE it! Classic charm with the 'Duke Brothers' united?? What more could you ask for?! It's sweet. It's sentimental. It's a road trip. It's Christmas. It's reconciliation. Pretty much the only thing it's missing is vulgarity. But sadly, that's what much of society seems to be looking for these days.

This will always be a favorite in our home. Our girls have loved it since they were tweens. If you're looking for wholesome, this one's pretty great. Nothing but a few very mild offenses.

Ignore the bad reviews and give it a try.