Love's Enduring Promise is an adaptation of a series of novels written by Janette Oke. The film stars Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff as a pioneer couple who began their relationship out of necessity but see it develop into true love. They must struggle against the elements to keep their farm solvent. His daughter, Missie (January Jones), is a 19-year-old schoolteacher who has two different young men -- Grant Thomas (Mackenzie Astin), a hardworking young man who works for the railroad, and Nate (Logan Bartholomew), a mysterious man who helps out at the family farm -- vying for her affections. A secret from Missie's father's past comes back to haunt the family. The film was directed by Michael Landon Jr., the son of someone with a history of directing family-friendly television about pioneers. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Michael Landon, Jr. - Director, Colleen Halsey - Editor, Larry Levinson - Executive Producer, Robert Halmi, Jr. - Executive Producer, William Spencer Reilly - Executive Producer, Kevin Kiner - Composer (Music Score), Simona Ennas - Production Designer, Maximo Munzi - Cinematographer, Randy Pope - Producer, Lincoln Lageson - Producer, Michael Landon, Jr. - Screenwriter, Cindy Kelley - Screenwriter, H. Daniel Gross - Co-Executive Producer, Michael Landon, Jr. - Co-Executive Producer, Nick Lombardo - Co-Executive Producer, Michael Moran - Co-Executive Producer, Janette Oke - Book Author
Missie Davis (January Jones) is a hard-working woman who is devoted to both her teaching profession and agricultural labor. She almost fell deeply in love with Grant Thomas (Mackenzie Astin), a railroad heir who begins to court her. However, Willie Nathan LaHaye, an odd stranger with a troubled past, appears. Willie helps Clark Davis when he injures his leg while chopping wood. Positioned in a dilemma between two distinct men, Missie learns what is truly important.
This book picks up 3 years after Love Comes Softly, with Missie being 5 years old, Clare(Aaron in the film) being 3, and Arnie being born in the third chapter of the book. The book expands through to Missie's teen years. Missie and Clare are closer together in age than they are depicted in the film.
Zeke LaHaye and his wife have 3 children in the novel; Tessie, Nathan, and Willie. Tessie and Nathan are not mentioned in the film. Willie's full name in the film is Willie Nathan LaHaye, as mentioned in the novel Love's Long Journey. Willie did not have a younger brother named Mattie in the novel. His Mother also dies in this novel.
Clark and Marty have a daughter, Elvira "Ellie", and another son, Luke, who are not shown in the film. Many other characters mentioned in the book are not mentioned in the film, such as Nandry and Clae Larson.
Some of the situations in the film were not directly from the book.
Awards
The following people won a Camie Award in 2005 for their part in making the film:
