I initially watched this telefilm as a fan of Lindsay Wagner. She's faded somewhat in the public's consciousness lately, but in the late 70s and early 80s she was a big star, especially on the strength of her series The Bionic Woman. She was appealing to all as both a strong, self-sufficient woman and a haunting beauty. Meg Laurel was a perfect role for her, kind of an early Dr. Quinn. The central relationship to the film (and what makes it so special) is that between Dr. Meg Laurel, the modern, fully-trained doctor, and Granny Arrowroot (Jane Wyman), the local folk healer, who was initially resistant to the doctor's science. Excellent performances from both ensured that the film was believable and entertaining. I wish it would show up again on television.
