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Sod & Stubble

Play trailer 0:30 Poster for Sod & Stubble Now Playing 1h 42m Drama Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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The adventures and adversities of a family pioneering on the plains of Kansas. Based on the best-selling biography by John Ise.
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Critics Reviews

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Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Tender and engrossing, but it's somewhat clunky, sugar-coated and undercooked. Apr 18, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member The cinematography of the Kansas landscape sets the the framing of this heartfelt, cinematic retelling of John Ise's Sod and Stubble. Told through the memories of a mother to her son, she recounts her journey and her family's journey from Holton, Kansas to the wide open prairie of Downs, Kansas. It is through her eyes we learn about infant loss, the starvation of the displaced indigenous people, and the struggle to make a place on the often unforgiving open prairie. Fantastic job by the director, cast and crew putting the Ise's family story to life.  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Anne T Loved this film! A star studded cast, plus absolutely beautiful realistic storytelling. I cried more than once, laughed at the cute moments and really felt for these people. Life was so hard back then, but also good and these people were so strong. It shows a wide range of real situations in the early days of western settlement. From all too common infant loss, doctors unskilled by modern standards as well as unethical doctors, basically no effective health care for the most serious diseases, the rabid boy, few resources and citizens having to wear many hats of responsibility in a growing community. The encounters with travelers and with indigenous people and sharing their meager food with them, how the wives had to take on most of the responsibility of the farm work after the husband died pretty young. Happy to see the story of a loving family who would not give up in the face of poverty and hardships. I'm interested in reading the book after seeing this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Lauren P Sod and Stubble is a heartfelt and beautifully made film about life on the Kansas frontier. It does a great job showing the struggles, strength and grit of a farming couple trying to build a life from nothing. The acting is great, the scenery is stunning, and the story feels real and personal. It’s a quiet, powerful movie that really sticks with you. If you like historical dramas with heart, this one’s worth watching Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Tom P The film is about a family that settled in North Central Kansas in the late 1800's. But it is really about the oomph it took to build the foundation of our nation. It is a story of love, but not silly eye-fluttering romance, but rather purposeful, deep, sacrificial love that creates a home out of hardship, peace out of struggles, and a family in the wilderness. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Rebecca S A story told by a true midwestern about settling ‘west’ and all the struggles and hardships that come with it. This is a true story of settling west, told with heart and hardship. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Janet Exceptionally boring!!! It took everything I had to not walk out & leave. Instead I walked out, bought a greatly overpriced popcorn & went back to try to finish the movie. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO TO SOMETHING ELSE!!!!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/22/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Sod & Stubble

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Movie Info

Synopsis The adventures and adversities of a family pioneering on the plains of Kansas. Based on the best-selling biography by John Ise.
Director
Ken Spurgeon
Producer
Bailey Chase, Randy Edens, Deb Goodrich, Mark Mannette, Tom Penning
Screenwriter
Ken Spurgeon
Distributor
Purdie Distribution
Production Co
New Albany Films, Sod and Stubble Films
Genre
Drama, Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 18, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 42m