if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The Ponderosa is a prequel to Bonanza, taking place 10 years before the start of Bonanza. The Cartwrights have just acquired the land on which to build their ranch, and haven't yet acquired the wealth they have in Bonanza. But these younger versions of the Cartwrights still have the same values they have 10 years later: Courage, Integrity, Love of Family, Respect for all people, Honesty.These values are hard to find on TV today. It's wonderful to see a show on TV that the whole family can sit down together to watch. The actors portraying the younger Cartwrights (Daniel Hugh Kelly, Matt Carmody, Drew Powell, and Jared Daperis) are awesome in their roles--they stepped into shoes they knew would be very difficult to fill. But they have filled them magnificently!This show is a diamond in the rough. Throughout the first season, the writers and producers were finding what worked and what didn't work. I hope the series can be brought back again because I'm sure the second season will reveal to the country (and the world) just what a true Gem this series is!

The Ponderosa brought the whole family around the T.V. together. Each age group had their own character that they liked and the story-lines were great...with good family values. It's so hard to find that now-a-days!I, personally enjoyed all the original characters and towns-people very much. The show brought out several emotions and always left me feeling good.We miss it so much and wait for it's much needed return!The acting was excellent...whoever cast it was a genious!

The Ponderosa is a well made show, that we looked forward to watching at our house. The stories were interesting and very well acted. The hard work of all who brought it together was quite apparent. Having a younger version of the Cartwrights is such a great idea, with so many possibilities. I was able to introduce my daughter to the characters and she really loved them. After one season, this show was really coming together and I hope to see more of it in the future.

This movie brought back our beloved Cartwrights. It brought anticipation and excitement for what the future would hold for Ben Cartwright as he brought up his three sons and attempted to build what we all knew would eventually become the famous Ponderosa. The characters had many qualities the older Cartwrights had, and I felt by watching this younger version of each (Ben, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe) we could watch them as they learned the ways of the west and see them as they struggled to survive and become the family we knew. The actors were well chosen for the parts. Diehard Bonanza fans, such as myself, knew Hoss immediately as protrayed by Drew. There was just no question that it was perfect casting. Little Joe (Jared) was a puzzle in the beginning but as he watched his mother die, the beginnings of the rebellious side of his character (which we all expect) appeared,Jared carried the part well. Pa was strict, yet loving, and Daniel was excellent. I had never seen him in previous roles yet I knew of him and some of the parts he had played and was a little concerned he wouldn't be right to play Ben Cartwright. But watching him as Pa interacted with his sons, I knew he was perfect. The mystery was who would portray Adam - my favorite Bonanza character. Matt totally exceeded my expectations for Adam. He portrays a sensitive, thoughtful, exciting, quick to anger when necessary Adam and those are all of the traits I expect to see in the eldest son. I'm sure as he delves further into the character and the history of Adam's life is brought in later episodes, people are going to see what type of versatile actor he appears to be.