

Heartland
“Heartland is about roots and origins. Heartland is about love and survival.”
Synopsis
Widowed Elinor Randall and her young daughter Jerrine arrive in a barren stretch of Wyoming in 1910 after Elinor's application for work as a housekeeper is accepted by Clyde Stewart, a rancher. The work is back-breaking and the isolation is brutal, particularly as winter arrives. Elinor begins to think about homesteading her own property near Stewart's ranch, but Stewart tries to dissuade her with explanations about the killing conditions and poor rewards, especially for a woman with no man to help her ranch. Although their temperaments are different and little affection exists, Elinor and Stewart agree to marry and combine homesteads. What lies ahead is the severest test of all.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Release History & Theatrical Window
Festival of American Independent Feature Films
Festival / Special Debut
August 23, 1981
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Richard Pearce
- Screenplay & Story
- Beth Ferris
- Original Score
- Charles Gross
- Original Title
- Heartland
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Production Studios
- Filmhaus, The National Endowment for the Humanities
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Richard Pearce
Beth Ferris
Charles Gross
Fred Murphy
Bill Yahraus
Beth Ferris, Annick Smith, Michael Hausman
Department Leadership Roster
Beth Ferris
Screenplay
Charles Gross
Original Music Composer
Richard Pearce
Director
Patrizia von Brandenstein
Production Design
Bill Yahraus
Editor
Fred Murphy
Director of Photography
Beth Ferris
Producer
Michael Hausman
Producer
Hilary Rosenfeld
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Heartland.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Heartland.
柏林电影节金熊奖
Berlinale Film Festival Golden Bear 柏林国际电影节历届金熊奖获奖影片。 *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-19 07:39:20 UTC+8)*
North American Cinema
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Winners of the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Heartland
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Heartland about?
Widowed Elinor Randall and her young daughter Jerrine arrive in a barren stretch of Wyoming in 1910 after Elinor's application for work as a housekeeper is accepted by Clyde Stewart, a rancher. The work is back-breaking and the isolation is brutal, particularly as winter arrives. Elinor begins to think about homesteading her own property near Stewart's ranch, but Stewart tries to dissuade her with explanations about the killing conditions and poor rewards, especially for a woman with no man to help her ranch. Although their temperaments are different and little affection exists, Elinor and Stewart agree to marry and combine homesteads. What lies ahead is the severest test of all.
Who directed Heartland?
Heartland was directed by Richard Pearce.
Who stars in Heartland?
The principal cast of Heartland includes Rip Torn, Conchata Ferrell, Barry Primus, Megan Folsom, Lilia Skala.
When was Heartland released and how long is it?
Heartland was released in 1981 with a total runtime of 1h 36m.
Who composed the musical score for Heartland?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Heartland was composed by Charles Gross.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Heartland?
Heartland holds official age classifications: US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).

















