15 reviews
Don't even try. Since when is an LMN movie believable in the first place? All a viewer needs to do is insert tongue in cheek and try to have a few laughs. Besides, the best part of these schtick flick movies are the last 10 minutes. That's where you get all the laughs.
- Wizardone55-183-253464
- Jul 24, 2020
- Permalink
I guess I am at a disadvantage, since I live in the area where this movie is supposed to take place. Plus, I'm surrounded by Amish farms on three sides of my house, and I know a fair amount about their culture.
This movie shows caricatures of what Amish people are like, not the reality. They don't dress right, the buggies are all wrong, the accents are wrong, and more. I could go on and on about all the things misrepresented here. Heck, they couldn't even pronounce the name of the city "Lancaster" correctly; they used the west coast version, not the pronunciation used in Pennsylvania.
I could probably get past all that if the plot were better. But the part with the guy providing whiskey to two of the Amish was unnecessary. It was a way to hide the rest of the bad writing. As for the main plot, eh, boring, and a variation on a theme we've seen too many times.
I'm shocked at the overall rating this movie got. Even without the cultural errors, this is by far one of the lesser Lifetime efforts.
This movie shows caricatures of what Amish people are like, not the reality. They don't dress right, the buggies are all wrong, the accents are wrong, and more. I could go on and on about all the things misrepresented here. Heck, they couldn't even pronounce the name of the city "Lancaster" correctly; they used the west coast version, not the pronunciation used in Pennsylvania.
I could probably get past all that if the plot were better. But the part with the guy providing whiskey to two of the Amish was unnecessary. It was a way to hide the rest of the bad writing. As for the main plot, eh, boring, and a variation on a theme we've seen too many times.
I'm shocked at the overall rating this movie got. Even without the cultural errors, this is by far one of the lesser Lifetime efforts.
I'm giving this a 1 star, because I can't go any higher, but I am AMAZED at how ridiculously entertaining this was. I felt like I was watching an Amish soap opera.
- zachsnyderproductions
- Jan 4, 2021
- Permalink
It's a drama about abusive family violence in a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Amish community. It follows the story of a young Amish mother trying to recover her son after her husband takes the son to Philadelphia to go "English."
Annie (Sara Canning) is married to Jacob (Steve Byers). They have one young son, Caleb (Liam Hughes); a later pregnancy ended with the death of the fetus. Annie's parents, John (Andrew McIlroy) and Betty (Gabrielle Rose), live next door; John appears to be the Amish community's leader. Jacob's brother, Thomas (Ryan Bruce), also figures in the story, as does a younger Amish boy named Samuel (Iain Belcher).
We learn early on that Jacob is dissatisfied with the restrictive Amish life and wants to explore the outside world. He wants Annie to join him, but she refuses. Meanwhile, we also learn that Jacob has issues both with alcohol and a quick temper. An encounter by Jacob and Samuel with an outsider ends badly. Nonetheless, John and Betty encourage Annie to be loyal to her husband. Then Jacob takes Caleb with him to Philadelphia and applies for legal custody of Caleb. Annie goes to Philadelphia, with Thomas as protection, and meets Jacob again in court. The judge's decision makes Jacob very angry, resulting in several acts of violence, including a climax in the family barn.
"Amish Abduction" is easily one of the worst "Amish" movies I've ever seen. The isolated Amish "village" is presumably in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but the Amish don't live in villages. The Amish characters look like a bad version of some branch of the Beachy Amish but still use horses and buggies. Their schoolhouse has a steeple, which no Amish building would do. The account does not follow basic child custody laws, and an early act of extreme violence simply disappears from the story. Finally, the ending implies a new relationship for Annie, which the Amish wouldn't allow as long as Jacob was alive, regardless of his evil nature.
Annie (Sara Canning) is married to Jacob (Steve Byers). They have one young son, Caleb (Liam Hughes); a later pregnancy ended with the death of the fetus. Annie's parents, John (Andrew McIlroy) and Betty (Gabrielle Rose), live next door; John appears to be the Amish community's leader. Jacob's brother, Thomas (Ryan Bruce), also figures in the story, as does a younger Amish boy named Samuel (Iain Belcher).
We learn early on that Jacob is dissatisfied with the restrictive Amish life and wants to explore the outside world. He wants Annie to join him, but she refuses. Meanwhile, we also learn that Jacob has issues both with alcohol and a quick temper. An encounter by Jacob and Samuel with an outsider ends badly. Nonetheless, John and Betty encourage Annie to be loyal to her husband. Then Jacob takes Caleb with him to Philadelphia and applies for legal custody of Caleb. Annie goes to Philadelphia, with Thomas as protection, and meets Jacob again in court. The judge's decision makes Jacob very angry, resulting in several acts of violence, including a climax in the family barn.
"Amish Abduction" is easily one of the worst "Amish" movies I've ever seen. The isolated Amish "village" is presumably in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but the Amish don't live in villages. The Amish characters look like a bad version of some branch of the Beachy Amish but still use horses and buggies. Their schoolhouse has a steeple, which no Amish building would do. The account does not follow basic child custody laws, and an early act of extreme violence simply disappears from the story. Finally, the ending implies a new relationship for Annie, which the Amish wouldn't allow as long as Jacob was alive, regardless of his evil nature.
- steiner-sam
- Mar 3, 2023
- Permalink
This show was absolutely amazing. I kept wanting to whip that terrible daddy myself. You won't regret watching this movie. Heck yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 8/4/2022.
Couldn't get past the first half hour Annie the Amish mom lack of Dutch accents, plucked eyebrows and poor makeup. Not to mention clothes not hand seen made it fake. Poor research truly prevails over storyline.
- raronhiarakwas
- Nov 9, 2019
- Permalink
The story line was so so. Those reviewing who questioned the portrayal
of the Amish..get over it. It's a movie. It was respectful of their community and educational about their ways. Sara Canning is a fantastic underrated talent who I thoroughly enjoy watching anytime. I would like to know why a name such as Kimberly Sustad doesn't even get a mention in the cast credits...strange.
- tomc-14973
- Mar 24, 2021
- Permalink
We attempted watching this but initially could not finish it due to the obvious errors in portraying the Amish. I could not get past the full face of makeup used on the main character, lack of accent, mannerisms, cultural
adherence of an Amish woman. Her over assertiveness for an Amish woman in the beginning was too much. We turned it off. However, I decided I would finish it today. Again storyline was interesting but lacked the authenticity it needed. Especially again, when the main character wore a red dress, an untied bonnet and her mascara smeared when crying after waking up from a nightmare. Speaking as a mother her assertiveness later in the movie depicted how she changed to protect herself and son is understandable but the actress made her too strong in the beginning where her whole character was unbelievable. I have finished it but have reservations about any research being done regarding the Amish, the roles and personas of the females and males both were inaccurate and embarrassingly ignorant of the culture.
- togetherblessed
- Jul 29, 2020
- Permalink
- phd_travel
- Jan 21, 2020
- Permalink
After the assault outside the court, why wasn't the exact husband arrested for assault? Then he shows up at the hospital?
That's when I turned it off.
That's when I turned it off.
- mangreene-13233
- Apr 16, 2021
- Permalink
- cockadoody73
- Feb 22, 2021
- Permalink
Riveting! So interesting. respectful of the Amish world, but still a story anyone can relate to. Loved it!
- ericweinstock-21341
- Apr 4, 2020
- Permalink
This movie was honestly the best movie I've watched in awhile. The plot and acting really sealed the deal for how great this movie was. It really opened my eyes to the Amish lifestyle- and WOW! The main woman character, Annie, and the male antagonist, Jacob, were amazing in their roles! The foreshadowing was superb, and I was on the edge of my seat during every moment of the film. This movie made me really recognize the effects and signs of spousal abuse, and I definitely think this movie accurately potrayed this injustice, though maybe a little exaggerated. The relationships, both familial and romantic, were developed very well and the tension between the characters were very realistic. My favorite quote is definitely, "I imagine you in english clothes..." said by the character Jacob, to Annie. Definitely a movie to watch on a Saturday night for fun.
- gthewolf-50545
- Feb 4, 2023
- Permalink