This has been a great year for rustic, folksy videos (a guilty pleasure of mine) and, in that vein, Montana Twilight offers a relaxed look at the little ferryboats that facilitate crossing the Missouri River in northern Montana. Connected to cables that span the river, the ferries (powered today by farm tractor motors, though once people-powered) are flat boats that can carry two cars or one truck per crossing. Ferry service began in 1863, and at one time some two dozen ferries were operational (some public, some private), but after 1906, bridges replaced many of the ferries, and now just three remain: the Vergelle Ferry, the Carter Ferry and the McClelland or Stafford Ferry. In the finest tradition of this sort of Americana, the interviewed ferry operators are only too happy to relate their boats' histories and a few amusing anecdotes as well (including a few mishaps, but generally these small vessels have an astounding safety record). Although the ferries have recently become something of a tourist destination (or at least a tourist pass-through), one can hardly assume they will remain in operation forever--moving traffic two cars at a time is just not digital millennium speed. For its entertaining peek at a vanishing mode of transportation, look at some fine scenery and visit with some delightful Montanans, this program is recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Tribby)
Montana Twilight: The Last of the Missouri Ferries
(1999) 30 min. $19.95. JOSH Productions. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 16, Issue 1
Montana Twilight: The Last of the Missouri Ferries
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