Songcatcher

Songcatcher

Year: 2001

Runtime: 109 min

Language: English

Director: Maggie Greenwald

DramaMusic

In 1907, Doctor Lily Penleric, a musicologist facing rejection from the academic world, travels to Appalachia. Determined to preserve the region's unique musical heritage, she begins recording the songs and stories of its people. This journey of self-discovery leads her through the rustic beauty of the mountains, offering her a chance to find validation, purpose, and ultimately, a sense of redemption in this poignant drama.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Songcatcher (2001)

Trace every key event in Songcatcher (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Lily Denied Promotion

In the year 1907, Dr. Lily Penleric, a passionate musicology professor, faces disappointment when she is denied a much-deserved promotion at her university. This setback leaves her feeling discouraged and questioning her path in life.

1907
2

Visit to Eleanor

Feeling disheartened, Lily makes an impulsive decision to visit her sister Eleanor, who is struggling to keep her rural school running in the remote mountains of Appalachia. This visit marks a turning point for Lily as she looks for solace and a new purpose.

Appalachia
3

Discovery of Ballads

Upon her arrival, Lily uncovers a rich repository of traditional English and Scotch-Irish ballads preserved by the local, isolated communities since the colonial era. This discovery ignites Lily's passion to document and share these musical treasures with the wider world.

Appalachia
4

Adventures with Deladis

With the help of Deladis Slocumb, a gifted orphan in the community, Lily embarks on numerous adventures throughout the rugged mountainous regions to gather the enchanting tunes. Together, they face challenges but grow closer while discovering the beauty of the local culture.

Appalachia
5

Encountering Community Struggles

As Lily delves deeper into the local music, she becomes aware of the resilience and spirit of the community amid their struggles. She learns about their fight against Earl Giddens, a representative from a coal mining operation that threatens to destroy their land.

Appalachia
6

Sister's Romantic Relationship

Compounding Lily's emotional turmoil, she discovers that Eleanor is in a romantic relationship with her co-teacher, Harriet. This revelation forces Lily to confront her perceptions of her sister's choices and their implications on their family dynamics.

7

Meeting Tom Bledsoe

Lily's journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets Tom Bledsoe, a handsome war veteran with a love for music. Initially skeptical of Lily's motives, Tom slowly begins to see her in a new light as they bond over their shared passion.

Appalachia
8

Developing Connection

As their relationship flourishes, Lily starts to reassess her prejudices about the mountain folk. Her interactions with Tom help her appreciate their culture and understand the complexities of her sister's life choices.

9

Schoolhouse Fire Incident

Conflict escalates when a local young man spots Eleanor and Harriet sharing a kiss in the woods. Fueled by anger, two men retaliate that night by setting fire to the schoolhouse, resulting in devastating consequences for the community.

Appalachia
10

Loss of Ballads

The fire destroys not only the schoolhouse but also Lily's painstaking transcriptions and recordings of the precious ballads. This loss compels Lily to re-evaluate her future in the mountains and consider leaving.

Appalachia
11

Decision to Leave

Faced with the destruction around her, Lily decides it’s time to leave the mountains behind. However, she persuades Tom and Deladis to join her in pursuing a new venture to make and sell phonograph recordings of the local music.

Appalachia
12

Encounter with Cyrus Whittle

As they make their way out of the valley, they encounter Cyrus Whittle, a distinguished professor from England. His arrival signifies a shared mission to collect and preserve the mountain music, aligning with Lily's original vision.

Appalachia

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:59

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Songcatcher Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Songcatcher, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Songcatcher Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Songcatcher

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Songcatcher

More About Songcatcher

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More About Songcatcher

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