The Yearling

Year: 1947

Runtime: 128 min

Language: English

Director: Clarence Brown

DramaWesternFamily

A young boy growing up in the rural wilderness forms a deep and lasting bond with a fawn, bringing unexpected joy and disruption to his family's life. As he matures, the boy's connection with the wild animal tests the limits of his family's stability and challenges conventional notions of belonging. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of nature in a poignant coming-of-age tale.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Yearling yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Yearling (1947)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Yearling (1947). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:18

Main Characters – The Yearling (1947)

Meet the key characters of The Yearling (1947), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:18

Major Themes – The Yearling (1947)

Explore the central themes of The Yearling (1947), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:18

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bittersweet Countryside Coming-of-Age Movies like The Yearling

Stories of youth shaped by the harsh beauty and hard lessons of rural life.If you enjoyed The Yearling, you may like these other movies about young protagonists growing up in rural settings. These stories share a heartfelt, often melancholic tone, exploring themes of innocence lost, family bonds, and the powerful, sometimes painful, lessons learned from nature in a steady-paced, character-driven narrative.

nostalgicmelancholicheartfeltruralgrowing painsreflectivepoignant

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear, character-focused arc where a young protagonist's idyllic connection to nature or a beloved animal is challenged by the practical hardships of survival. A central moral dilemma forces a loss of innocence, culminating in a bittersweet ending that acknowledges pain but emphasizes personal growth and the enduring strength of family.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the emotional journey of adolescence within a rustic, natural setting. They consistently blend a heartfelt, nostalgic mood with a melancholic undercurrent, using a steady pace to build towards an emotionally resonant, bittersweet conclusion about the costs and rewards of growing up.

Heartfelt Family Dramas with Moral Weight like The Yearling

Intimate family stories where love is tested by difficult, necessary decisions.Find more movies like The Yearling that center on family bonds tested by hard choices. These heartfelt dramas feature medium emotional weight and a straightforward narrative, focusing on the love and conflict within a family unit when faced with a loss that strengthens their ultimate connection.

heartfeltfamily dramamoral dilemmaemotionalreflectivepoignantsteadfast

Narrative Summary

The plot is driven by a central moral dilemma that pits individual desire against collective family well-being. The story structure is straightforward, building methodically towards a pivotal decision that causes emotional pain but ultimately reinforces the family's foundation. The journey is less about external suspense and more about the internal emotional consequences of sacrifice.

Why These Movies?

These films share a cohesive emotional experience: they are heartfelt yet grounded, focusing on the resilience of family love through adversity. They possess a medium emotional weight, avoiding extreme melodrama while delivering a significant impact through relatable stakes and a bittersweet, reflective conclusion on the nature of responsibility and love.

Unlock the Full Story of The Yearling

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Yearling in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Yearling is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Yearling Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Yearling, 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.

The Yearling Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Yearling with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Yearling Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Yearling that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About The Yearling

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Yearling: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Yearling

Discover movies like The Yearling that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.