The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky Poster

The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky (1995)

06/15/1995 Drama, Western, TV Movie 1h 32m
57%
User
Score
6.5/10

The year is 1919 - a time when being a ranger meant forest fires were fought with guts and courage.

Overview

A young ranger in the Montana wilderness discovers the great forces of nature while learning the importance of honor, trust and integrity. Legendary veteran ranger Bill Bell educates the young man and guides him toward manhood. The year is 1919-a time when being a ranger meant more than operating expensive equipment. Forest fires were fought with guts and courage, not chemicals and airplanes. Bill Bell was the toughest ranger in an elite crew of very rugged men. A figure of heroic proportions, he was generally feared and respected by all. It was even rumored that he had at one time killed a sheep farmer, which only fueled his already enormous reputation. The young ranger does everything to remain in the good graces of Bill Bell, the senior ranger he idolizes. Their tentative rapport grows into a friendship through a hilarious and heroic rite of passage in which the younger ranger meets the test-and the woman of his dreams.

John Kent Harrison

Director

Norman Maclean

Story

Top Billed Cast

Sam Elliott

Sam Elliott

Bill Bell

Jerry O'Connell

Jerry O'Connell

Mac

Ricky Jay

Ricky Jay

Hawkes

Molly Parker

Molly Parker

Sue

Don S. Davis

Don S. Davis

Mr. Smith

Robert Wisden

Robert Wisden

Canada

Michael Tayles

Michael Tayles

Red

Tom Butler

Tom Butler

Mr. McBride

Jay Brazeau

Jay Brazeau

Doc Riley

Media

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Reviews

A review by Wuchak

Written on April 9, 2018

A young man’s experiences in the forest service in Montana in 1919

RELEASED TO TV IN 1995 and directed by John Kent Harrison, "The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky" chronicles events in the western Montana wilderness in 1919 where a cocky 17 year-old (Jerry O'Connell) in the forest service is guided by a seasoned ranger (Sam Elliott), conflicts with a card shark cook (Ricky Jay) and becomes infatuated by a cute girl (Molly Parker).

There are only a few Western Staples, like the scenic landscapes, card games, a saloon fight and saloon girls (prostitutes). Other than that, this is a Wilderness Drama wherein a teen comes of age. It’s fairly family friendly and only hints at the worldly temptation youths will eventually face. The beauty of the wilderness is emphasized with the ...

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