WHEN CALLS THE HEART: Year Five Brings their Movies to DVD with a Blessed Bonus

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Shout! Factory and “Hearties” everywhere is an amazing set of films that touch us all with life, love and always knowing WHEN CALLS THE HEART: Year Five.

The Heart of Homecoming shows the people of Hope Valley at their very caring best as Christmas comes to town. Wanting to make sure everyone’s holidays are special and bright, the town gets ready for a Christmas parade. Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) is volunteering to take her mind off of missing Jack (Daniel Lissing) who is still on Mountie assignment.

Hearts and Minds has Elizabeth’s sister coming to Hope Valley. Julie (Charlotte Hegele) has decided that perhaps she would follow Elizabeth into teaching and shadow’s her sister at the school house. Abigail (Lori Loughlin) believes that the railroad can be a good thing for Hope Valley but she needs the towns help. Bill (Jack Wagner) must leave on official business and with Jack gone the only other person he trusts to be the law in the town is Lee (Kavan Smith) who also gets a taste of being town sheriff.

Home is Where the Heart is finally has Jack returning home to a very happy Elizabeth. It also means that she can begin to plan their wedding and Abigail is excited to help. One of Elizabeth’s students, Hattie, is chosen to start a school newspaper. Trying to find stories to tell is more difficult that the young girl imagined but it doesn’t stop her from telling a story she didn’t check facts on first.

My Heart is Yours is the day all the ‘Hearties’ have been waiting for. Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding day is close and the plans are moving forward. A telegram arrives for Jack sending him on a Mountie assignment but Bill won’t let anything get in the way of Jack’s big day. Instead, Bill rides out of town to do a prisoner transfer but things go awry putting his best man duties in jeopardy. Elizabeth has chosen students to be part of her wedding day and while rehearsing brings danger to the school. Abigail is thrilled that Pastor Frank (Mark Humphrey) has returned for the big day but they also need to decide how to go forward with their relationship.

Weather the Storm has Abigail continues to try and find investors to keep Hope Valley’s bank afloat. Elizabeth gets the idea and the towns help to have children follow one business in the town to learn how things work. The children are excited and chose only to discover that the adults are doing everything they can to make their town successful. AJ Foster (Josie Bissett) is back and Bill must deal with what happened a year ago between them.

Close to My Heart has Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and her fluttery nature front and center. Lee’s former business partner who passed away brings his widow Eleanor to Hope Valley. Rosemary doesn’t understand all of her questions about business and success in their town. Eleanor finds Henry (Martin Cummins) and offers him a position wanting to open up a business. He is happy thinking he finally can get rid of the bad reputation he has with the townspeople. This is his chance but will he do the right thing? Finally, tragedy comes to Hope Valley and the entire town is in shock and devastated.

But life always shows us faith and hope!

Krakow as Elizabeth takes her character in a direction that is so lovely and difficult and heartbreaking for the viewer. A beloved person in Hope Valley, Elizabeth has cemented her place and when she deals with life-trials, it is those who have made her beloved that are there for her. Krakow has taken her character steps further each episode and season. That means those of us who love the show have grown right along with her and it has been an amazing journey.

Lissing as Thornton has done his role proud and with that said I’m saddened that he will no longer be Mountie Jack. That is a role that is strong, steadfast, endearing and what it means to be dedicated to one’s profession and the community where he lives. Those are characteristics some might say are lacking in our world today, yet Lissing has shown that although the series is set in another time, his actions are timeless. We will miss you Mountie Jack and we wish you well Daniel Lissing.

Loughlin as Abigail continues to be a pillar of the town taking on the role of mayor, mother to two orphaned children and run the town’s café. If that isn’t enough, she is trying to save the town’s bank by looking for investors. Loughlin is such a strong character in this series and yet hasn’t forgotten her humanity or what the word love truly means.

Wagner as Bill is the town law and has found his place in Hope Valley. He is equally dependable and has a grumpy kind of caring towards the people of the town. Wagner makes me laugh at times with how much he wants to pretend to be annoyed by something yet is the first to jump in when needed.

Hutton as Rosemary is continually delightful, thoughtful in her way, bold, flamboyant and oh so colorful. The way she thinks is a little self-serving at times but never in a hurtful or aggressive way. Instead she just wants everyone to be as happy as she is in life. Hutton is such a joy to watch as she keeps Rosemary moving forward with married life, friendship and town life.

Smith as Leland is as busy as ever with the lumber business while balancing married life. He has become such a strong part of the community and keeps the people of the town working. Smith brings charm, personality and humor to his marriage (which is cute beyond belief) and concern for the town he calls home and all his loved ones who live there.

Humphrey as Frank became important to Hope Valley but things change and Abigail knows it. This character has been embraced and emotionally necessary to balance everything that has happened to the people in town. Added to that is Greene as Carson, the town doctor, and they finally can be physically well.

Other cast include Paul Greene as Carson Shepherd, Andrea Brooks as Faith Carter, Eva Aren Bucholz as Jesse Flynn, Carter Evancic as Cody Hastings, Ava Cooper as Opal, and Max Lloyd-Jones as Tom Thornton

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty And The Beast. Also their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

The six-disc DVD includes all the movies seen during the 5^th season of WHEN THE HEART CALLS.

Inspired by the books of Janette Oke, The Hallmark Channel has been home to the series. WHEN THE HEART CALLS is brought by executive producer Michael Landon, Jr. A spin off of the series When Hope Calls is expected to begin airing in 2019 on the Hallmark Movies Now service.

Included with WHEN CALLS THE HEART: Year Five is an amazing and truly emotional book When God Calls the Heart: Devotions from Hope Valley by Brian Bird, Michelle Cox and a forward from creator Janette Oke. Each chapter brings remembrance of a story told by Elizabeth Thatcher and other characters leading to a scripture, a simple prayer and questions that we can all relate to answering.

WHEN CALLS THE HEART is a series that gracefully makes its way into ones heart, whether they are expecting it to happen or not. The characters created by Oke are strong, solid, endearing, tough, caring and filled with all the complexities that come along with being a human being. Yet in all of that, these characters never forget how to love, be compassionate and give to those who have less.

That is how we all truly want to see the world despite what we see on television or the news these days. Ann Frank said it best that, “I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”

That is Hope Valley and the characters who live there – being good at heart even when there are moments that are questionable. Each of the townspeople has their story that we have all come to know and it’s not always good. Yet, at the heart of those not-so-good stories are the people who believe that everyone is good at heart – like Abigail feels towards Henry Gowen. 

Country life or city life – the key word is life and that’s what WHEN CALLS THE HEART brings viewers. It may be another era but the values and beliefs are universal and timeless. This is a series that the entire family can watch together and embrace and, let’s be honest, there are not too many shows that can fly that flag.

WHEN CALLS THE HEART: Year Five is the DVD that deserves a place next to all the series DVD’s in everyone’s home entertainment library. Hallmark Channel and Shout! Factory not only make it possible but a blessing.

In the end – it is a town filled with hope and heart!

WHEN CALLS THE HEART: The Heart of Homecoming Is a New Year Gift on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Shout! Factory is another holiday in beloved Hope Valley with WHEN CALLS THE HEART: The Heart of Homecoming.

It is Christmas time again but this year carries a little sadness for Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) as Mountie Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) is still in the Northern Territories. Trying to keep busy, she works with town Mayor Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin), Rosemary Coulter (Pascale Hutton) and other townswomen on ideas to help celebrate the holidays.

They decide that this year that the tree in the middle of town will be decorated with wishes. Each person of Hope Valley writes down something they wish for and anyone is free to take a wish to help grant it. Immediately Elizabeth finds the wish from Robert, one of her students who wants a crib for a baby coming. It also keeps her from putting up her own wish ornament.

The town also begins to design a parade and when Abigail's boy Cody (Carter Evancic) discovers a Christmas list from her son Peter, he is excited about his idea for a float. Rosemary is flustered as husband Lee (Kavan Smith) decides to close his business to allow families to prepare for the holidays. This means he is around the house more and getting underfoot! Inviting Elizabeth out to dinner, Rosemary convinces Elizabeth that she must put up her Christmas wish.

Jesse (Aren Buchholz) wants to get Clara (Eva Bourne) something beautiful for Christmas and when he learns that their is something special she wants, the money becomes the problem. In the spirit of the season, Jesse is able to find a bit of work that will allow him to buy the gift. While working, he discovers something that is tempting and knowing he already has been accepted by the town means he has to make a choice about what is right.

Elizabeth is stunned to learn that Bill Avery (Jack Wagner) called in a favor and managed to have Jack back in Hope Valley, even if only for a few days. Abigail learns from Bill that there is prisoner overcrowding and that some of them are sleeping in extremely cold tents making her think of Henry Gowen (Martin Cummins). She asks Bill to have Henry brought to Hope Valley where he can spend the night in the jail cell and do community service during the day.

Now that Jack is back for the holidays, Rosemary practically begs Elizabeth to help give Lee something to do. Even Lee is thrilled when Jack asks him to help with the holiday floats! As the celebration gets closer, Abigail and Cody are disappointed to learn that the snow is so bad that daughter Becky won't be able to come home.

But it is the holidays in Hope Valley, a place of people who are not always what they seem and a town of people who want what is best for one another which is love and extended family celebrating the most precious time of year.

Krakow as Elizabeth continues to be so endearing as Hope Valley's beloved schoolteacher. This character has such a good heart to the point of feeling selfish about putting a wish on the town tree and it is Krakow that brings those emotions to the screen. Her infectious smile and sense of lightness makes me root for her and Jack so much more.

Speaking of Jack, Lissing as Mountie Jack is equally as endearing as his co-star. Being away in the Northern Territory, it is when he returns to Hope Valley that he is torn. Instead of becoming down, Lissing's character embraces the time with Elizabeth and gives of himself to the town he cherishes. Who can't love a guy like that?

Loughlin as Abigail is now Hope Valley's Mayor while still running the Cafe. Discovering what it takes to run a town, she doesn't shy away from the problems left by Henry Gowen. Happy to have her kids Cody and Becky home for the holidays, she is excited about all the fun planned for the town. She also still believes that there is something good in Henry.

Wagner as Avery is the law in Hope Valley and although not happy with Abigail's request to have Henry in town, he wants to believe as she does but is also leery. Cummins as Gowen doesn't understand why Abigail would do such a giving thing for him and keeps to himself while doing community service.

Hutton as Rosemary is always so delightful, lovely and has surprising moments where she completely says all the right things! This season she learns that it isn't always necessary to be the brightest star in the sky. I love Rosemary's relationship with her husband always wanting to do special things for him and even when it's a little quirky; it isn't any less special to him. Smith as Lee is taking it easy for the holidays; at least it starts out that way! When he has the chance to be part of the holiday makings for Hope Valley, Lee is all in!

Evancic as Cody is a young man who clearly loves Abigail and wants her to know how much. Finding a way to bring son Peter back into her heart and not let him be forgotten for the holidays means everything and Hope Valley helps him accomplish his goals. Bourne as Clara is a young woman who is falling hard for the rogue Jesse. She knows he has a past but the longer he stays in the town, the more he is accepted. Buchholz as Jesse is put in a position where he must decide whether his old life means more or what he feels now for his adopted home and the young lady he has eyes for.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and the Beast. Also their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Inspired by the books written by Janette Oke, the series began airing in the United States in 2014 and quickly found a loyal following of fans who love the storyline. WHEN CALLS THE HEART is executive produced by Michael Landon Jr. and can be seen on The Hallmark Channel.

WHEN CALLS THE HEART: The Heart of Homecoming is a very sweet treat for the New Year. Who doesn't want to return once again to the people and place that is Hope Valley and be a part of their holiday celebration. There is something extremely special about this series because, in truth, we all want to be a part of such a caring and strong community.

Perhaps that’s what draws everyone back season after season, the sense of nostalgia of when people were not buried by the fast-paced daily living. Instead, we can stop for a moment and breathe becoming enveloped in Hope Valley and the people doing the best they can. In the midst of it all they remind each other to embrace life and remember to care for everyone – and I mean everyone.

Also, with every episode reminds me of what I came to believe about the series from its beginning. WHEN CALLS THE HEART continues to hold precious the simple values we hold dear. There is nothing like a community that builds on love, family, friendship, and faith – and nothing has changed my opinion about that.

I personally would give just about anything to be there when they finally film the wedding between Jack and Elizabeth. That is actually a shared feeling between myself and other watchers of WHEN CALLS THE HEART – we’ve spent time getting to know these characters and nothing beats a good country wedding filled with love!

In the end - join in their celebration!