Wow! Such a good movie.

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

There is no over arching plot in Sometimes a Great Notion yet I was still engaged with the life of this family with their ongoing effort to try and make a living and their own family dilemmas all occurring among the beautiful forest scenery of Oregon. This is a man's movie reminiscent of the male bonding films from Howard Hawks such as Only Angels Have Wings and Tiger Shark.Henry Fonda plays a character called Henry so I like to imagine his interactions on set with Paul Newman occur just like they do in the movie. I've also often championed Henry Fonda's unsung abilities as a comedic actor and here he provides the film with some great moments of comic relief. Michael Sarrazin gives the most interesting performance though as the girly man Leeland Stamper who doesn't fit in with the rest of the men largely due to his long hair. There's a quiet confidence to his character though as he is unbothered by the remarks of the other men and eventfully wins their respect, by how? Winning a game of the ever manly sport of football.The logging scenes themselves are actually quite suspenseful, seeing men who are putting their lives in danger in order to make a living, you're expecting someone to get injured or killed at any time and that beings me to scene in the film which left the greatest impression on me. There are two death scenes towards the end of the film. First there's Henry Fonda's death which is sad, itself but that is but nothing compared to the death of Richard Jaeckel; I was thinking about this scene for days after watching the film and it's even more powerful watching it a second time as I'm waiting in dread for the scene to arrive. For starters the character is trapped under a log while the tide is slowly rising and he spends the whole time joking about it and when he is eventually submerged in water he can only stay alive thorough constant mouth to mouth resuscitation until help shows up to move the giant log. I can't imagine a more terrifying situation a person could be in; you can possibly get rescued and live but in order to do so you must remain completely calm; one mistake and you're a goner. This one of the most harrowing things I've ever seen in a film. I doubt I will ever see a more intense death scene or one so difficult to watch.

The date i don't remember, but the day I do. what i did that day i should say. and the movie is still vividly in my mind. I can see the family interplay pretty clearly, but there is 1 scene clearer then all the others. And more worried about creating a spoiler, i will only describe it in general terms. And that is the Death Scene in the picture, I don't want to mention the players in the scene for fear of spoiling it for others. it isn't a short scene, it felt like an eternity, for me anyway.It is heart wrenching, and has haunted me all these years. I would like to see this picture again to feel that emotion again.even now just talking around it i feel emotions welling up in me. worthwhile movie I would recommend it for anyone.

I also vividly remember this movie, and would love to see it again. The scene with Richard Jaekel and the logging accident is unbelievable. There are many other memorable scenes. I wonder why it is not on DVD? I searched Netflix, and it isn't there. I guess I will just have to wait for it to come around on cable! Or do they only show movies that have made it to DVD on cable? With so many great actors, an excellent story (Ken Kesey) and memorable performances, there's no reason for this to languish in obscurity. I would like to hear some other opinions. It's the kind of movie (at least for me) that you remember forever, so I'm hoping some others remember it as well and can give their opinions.

Leadbelly, Goodnight Irene. Learn something new every day.I agree with another comment posted here that the book is in the top 10 reads of classic American literature. Right up there with Steinbeck. I loved the book and the movie. Haunting, incredible story. Gives me chills just thinking about how good it is."Rise & Shine Stampers", "We're gonna whup her". Beautiful.I lived near Kesey's place 15 years ago.I recently returned to the area and it still is a special place.Dripping ferns, 200 foot tall Doug Fir giants.Golden eagles, piliated woodpeckers, cougars, bears, lions... OK, well not lions but lots of other wildlife not seen elsewhere.