Top 10 Farm Films to Watch

Description: This classic film adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel follows the Joad family as they leave their Oklahoma farm during the Dust Bowl for the promised land of California, showcasing the harsh realities of farm life during the Great Depression.

Fact: The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Director for John Ford. It was one of the first films to address the plight of migrant workers.

Description: While not exclusively about farm life, this thriller involves a young Amish boy who witnesses a murder, and the subsequent protection offered by his community on their farm.

Fact: Harrison Ford was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role. The film was shot in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known for its large Amish population.

Description: Although centered around fly fishing, this film captures the essence of rural Montana life, including scenes of farm work and the close-knit community.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Montana, and the river scenes were filmed on the Blackfoot River. Brad Pitt learned to fly fish for his role.

Description: This enchanting tale follows a pig named Babe who aspires to be a sheepdog. The film captures the essence of farm life with its portrayal of animal relationships and the daily chores that come with managing a farm.

Fact: The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning for Best Visual Effects. The pig who played Babe was actually named "Pig" on set.

Description: This film explores the healing power of nature and animals as a mother and daughter travel to a Montana ranch to help their injured horse, showcasing the serene and challenging aspects of farm life.

Fact: Robert Redford, who directed and starred in the film, also trained horses for the movie. The film was shot in Montana, capturing the vast landscapes of the American West.

Description: While primarily a drama about a death row prison guard, the film includes scenes on a farm where one of the inmates, John Coffey, was raised, providing a backdrop of rural life.

Fact: The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel. The farm scenes were shot in Tennessee.

Description: Set on an apple farm in Maine, this film delves into themes of choice, responsibility, and the complexities of farm labor, particularly through the lives of migrant workers.

Fact: The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Michael Caine. The apple orchard scenes were filmed in Vermont.

Description: Directed by David Lynch, this film is about Alvin Straight, an elderly farmer who travels across Iowa on a lawnmower to reconcile with his estranged brother. It's a poignant look at rural America and the bonds of family.

Fact: This is one of the few G-rated films directed by David Lynch. The film was shot in chronological order to help the elderly cast and crew.

Description: Based on E.B. White's beloved children's book, this film tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte, set against the backdrop of a quaint farm.

Fact: The film features voice acting by Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, and Oprah Winfrey. The real-life farm used for filming was in Australia.

Description: A light-hearted comedy-drama about a Swedish-American farm girl who becomes a maid in Washington D.C. and ends up running for Congress, highlighting the contrast between rural and urban life.

Fact: Loretta Young won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. The film was one of the first to show a woman in politics in a positive light.