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The Journey of Natty Gann

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The Journey of Natty Gann

PG

Released Sep 27, 1985

1h 41m

Kids & Family

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

91%

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32 Reviews

77%

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5,000+ Ratings

Warm-hearted family tale of a girl's cross-country trek to find her father, set during the bleak days of the Depression in America. When her father goes to work in the Pacific Northwest, the brave youngster sets out on the long journey from Chicago to join him. En route she is befriended by a wolf, which becomes a protective traveling companion.

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Rita Kempley

Washington Post

It's a typical animal adventure, stripped of its guts by an enfeebling if commendable effort to shield young viewers from violence and death.

Mar 31, 2020

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

The real missing element is heart.

Mar 31, 2020

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Of course we all know what ''Natty Gann'' is leading up to, but it`s a testament to the landscape and to the freshness of Salenger that getting there is such a joy.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 31, 2020

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Steve Warren

Bay Area Reporter

The Journey of Natty Gann has an excellent sense of time and place in its multiple settings.

Apr 30, 2020

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Candice Russell

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

It's disheartening to contemplate what Disney Pictures deems necessary in order to woo an audience these days.

Mar 31, 2020

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David Sterritt

Christian Science Monitor

The performances are uneven, the story is rigged, and the ending -- which tries sincerely to be inspirational -- is just corny.

Mar 30, 2020

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Jacob H

Very adventurous movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

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Bobby B

My father saw this in the cinema with my Nana all thise years ago, and it was him who showed me this hidden gem. Its a brilliant picture, and a must watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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Daniel G

Really charming Disney movie from the 1980s, with a lead character whom I don't recall ever seeing in later movies. A road movie that shows off the beauty of the northern US and the solidarity of people Natty finds along the way - not to mention the "wolf". However, a bit risqué for that period to show a kiss between a young teen and a young man of indeterminate age. Understandable in the context, but I wonder if it would cause a bit of commotion in today's tense period?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

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Kathryn V

A very lovely movie. They should make movies like this now.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

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Dale R

The story of a girl who crosses the country during the Great Depression to find her father. I am not a historian, but I think this movie does a great job of depicting the Great Depression era. Meredith Salenger plays the titular character, and does a good job. John Cusack plays a love interest, but all you really see is the beginning of what might be a relationship. The other name I knew was James Horner, who was the composer. I really didn’t notice his work until the end credits, which may be a compliment to the score. Not sure what else to say about this movie other than I think it is worth your time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

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Joel H

It's been a very long time since I've seen The Journey of Natty Gann. I remember watching it multiple times as a kid and I remember seeing the preview on almost every Disney VHS tape we owned. I'm happy to say that it still holds up watching it as an adult. The story is simple: a girl is trying to find her father. However, Meredith Salenger gives a strong performance as the titular character, and she and Ray Wise seem to have a real bond with each other. It is slow going, though. They could have easily trimmed off ten minutes or so. Nevertheless, I'm glad I was able to take this journey again.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

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Jeremy Kagan

Director

Meredith Salenger

Natty Gann

John Cusack

Harry

Ray Wise

Sol Gann

Lainie Kazan

Connie

Barry Miller

Parker

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Synopsis

Warm-hearted family tale of a girl's cross-country trek to find her father, set during the bleak days of the Depression in America. When her father goes to work in the Pacific Northwest, the brave youngster sets out on the long journey from Chicago to join him. En route she is befriended by a wolf, which becomes a protective traveling companion.

Director: Jeremy Kagan
Producer: Mike Lobell
Screenwriter: Jeanne Rosenberg
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 11, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.5M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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