Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Seventh Stream (#51.2)

In order to fully enjoy this movie, you will need to abandon 21st century skepticism. If you have a healthy imagination - and a love of fairy tales and things hidden from the modern mind - then you will appreciate "The Seventh Stream." The cast is solid and the story enchanting. Relax and enjoy the magic.

I remember seeing this movie when I was a teenager and I'm sure I will see it many times in the future. It touches your emotions so easily. Very folkloric style. Conversations in the story is so warm and Irish culture plays big role of course. I recommend this movie to people who loves cultures tales and history. And one last thing it's not fair that soundtrack of this movie is not on anywhere we can listen. Such a Great Soundtrack but not available anywhere :( I even remember 5 or 6 years ago I contacted with Ernest Troost on email and he told me unfortunately it's possible to find this(piece of magic) soundtrack anywhere at the time. Hopefully someday they will make it happen

Scott Glenn provides the understated sense of loss & loneliness. It's his burden in life. He covers so much with his eyes and simple movements. Saffron Burrows well conveys- pardon the pun -the fish out of water but with an awareness of the lives around her. As the summary says: It's romance, folklore and rural life with it's prejudice. It's not complicated just a well presented story with good performances all around. There's a song/story called 'Peter Kagen & the Wind.' I heard it performed by Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy in Dublin years ago. It was on the album of the concert but not on the CD. This is a version of that song.

Scott Glen stars with a different character type in this mystic, romance drama set in Ireland. In a rather straightforward but touching story, this bittersweet drama lends itself to the mystery surrounding the discovery of a strange woman who has her own story to tell. The only real problem and its an important one is how the woman ends up in her own environment, it does not really track except for being a story device to make the movie more emotional compelling. Both quite satisfying in some ways and sad in other ways. This movie could have been a nine with a more perhaps conventional treatment though maybe ironically not as memorable. The grandest of all paradoxes.

For a TV movie, this is a real winner. Gorgeous scenery, touching romance, examination of the avarice and evil of human nature and our redeeming qualities are all on offer. Bring your crying towel, because this will move you, and it is a romantic tragedy. The cinematography is way above average for TV fare. If you like water scenes and boats, like I do, you're in for a treat, but don't expect lavish yachts. No, this is a tale set in a simple and beautiful Irish fishing village with men who wrest their living from the sea. It has above average acting for TV, and I disagree with some of the other reviewers who have said that Scott Glenn didn't deliver. To the contrary, I thought his portrayal of a stricken widower deprived of his raison d'etre who we first see as a near recluse from society and then emerging from his hard shell of pain was very effective. I own this on VHS, and I love it more every time I watch it. It's a rare find, but if you do run across it, do yourself a favor and give it a watch if you go in for romantic tragedies.

The plot, characters and location really made me sit through the movie. The scenes of Ireland's landscape, cottages, ocean and people were depicted wonderfully. The harness of their work as a fishing town opened the movie as the minister prayed for the return of the fish. There was definitely chemistry. And guess what, though there were underlying hints of more it was never revealed and did not take away from the movie. It is a love story bundled with grief, pain, hurt, magic, betrayal and then unselfish sacrifice. It pulls at the heart strings. When I speak of magic or legend this is what makes the movie interesting as we all learn the story of how, when and consequences of returning or not...cannot give away too much. So watch the movie.

"The Seventh Stream" is beautifully filmed with a deeply romantic score and a story comes from the same vein of Irish folklore that inspired 1994's "Secret of Roan Inish," another good family movie but not, I think, quite as atmospheric or nearly as moving as "The Seventh Stream." Both films are based on the legend of the selkies - gray seals who sometimes take human form, come ashore and interact with humans. The production values are very superior for a made-for-cable flick. Saffron Burrows is nothing short of remarkable as the seal-woman. Viewers drugged by the over-the-top acting styles of so many movies may find her performance too subdued, too quiet, but that's their problem. Some kind of emotion is constantly flickering across her face, which is amazingly expressive. She's by turns mysterious, cold, curious, sultry, beautiful, vulnerable, weird - everything you'd expect to see in a seal-girl. In a less fascinating role, Scott Glenn too is convincing and sympathetic as the hardscrabble middle-aged fisherman to whom the selkie turns for help. There's a lot of talk about the human heart, none of it sappy. Aside from one or two minor cultural goofs that few will care about, the film depicts pretty plausibly life in an Irish fishing village a hundred years ago. There are also one or two minor directorial lapses. When fate deals unkindly with one of the characters, he cries out "Nooooooooooooooo!" in ultra slow-mo. Just like in The Simpsons and elsewhere. But the embarrassing moments take up about two minutes in total, and none is as bad as that.The rest of the film could hardly be improved on as a serious fairy tale for the whole family, unless your family is deeply into pro wrestling and stuff like that. One of the most moving fantasy films I've seen, definitely not sugary or maudlin, and not oozing with CGI. Check it out! I bet they were going to call it originally "The Seventh Seal," but found out that title was taken.

If you are looking for another Hollywood action film with a fast-paced plot, wild characters and a big bang at the end, this isn't that movie. If you want something different, a little slower paced with a thoughtful plot, a wee bit of mystery and a beautiful seaside setting, this may be for you. I found it interesting that the majority of the cast consisted of the residents of this fishing village by the sea. It's a tale of lost love, redemption and belief in a legend that ultimately leads to belief in the human heart and spirit. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 9/10/21.

This movie is the epitome of romance. Scott Glenn and Saffron Burrows have a chemistry that is undeniable. The Seventh Stream is much like The Legend of Roane Eilish. The scenery, the sounds, the lighting, just like a day by the beach. I was totally mesmerized by the cinematography. I am not professional reviewer and I don't write often about photography etc but this was one time that it needed mentioned. I do know what I like and I really liked this movie. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. It touched my heart and I will be forever grateful for that touch.