By Way of the Stars

By Way of the Stars
DVD cover
Based onThe Long Journey of Lukas B
by Willi Fährmann
Written byDeborah Nathan
Helen Asimakis
Directed byAllan King
StarringZachary Bennett
Gema Zamprogna
Theme music composerJohn Welsman
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish [1]
Production
ProducersTrudy Grant
Brian Parker
Kevin Sullivan
CinematographyManfred Guthe
EditorsGordon McClellan
Mairin Wilkinson
Production companiesIduna Film Produktiongesellschaft
Sullivan Entertainment
Original release
ReleaseDecember 26, 1992 (1992-12-26) –
January 1, 1993 (1993-01-01)

By Way of the Stars is a Canadian adventure television mini-series co-produced in 1992 by Sullivan Entertainment and German Beta-Taurus Kirch Group, that begins in 19th century Prussia, then travels through post-U.S. Civil War Charleston to the 'Canadas' and the West. It is a young boy's version of "Dances with Wolves". The six-hour mini-series is based on a popular German children's novel called "The Long Journey of Lukas B." The movie was produced in association with ZDF, at the time, Germany's largest Broadcaster, CBC and Disney Channel.[2] This mini-series was filmed entirely in Uxbridge, Ontario. The production was nominated for 2 Gemini awards.[3]

Synopsis

Set in 1865, the story is about a thirteen-year-old boy from Prussia, named Lukas, who moves to America to escape family problems and a dangerous enemy. Along his journey he meets a young girl named Ursula and the two children struggle to survive the difficult frontier lifestyle.

Cast List

Home Media

The mini-series was released on DVD as a cut down 2-hour versions in 2005.[4] In 2012 the full 6 hour version was released on DVD.[5] In addition, the mini-series was also made available for streaming in the digital format on Sullivan Entertainment's Gazebo TV.[6]

List of Awards

  • 2 Gemini Nominations – Best Direction in a Series (Allan King), Best Original Music Score for a Series, 1993
  • Bronze Plaque Award – Columbus International Film Festival, 1993 (U.S.)

References

  1. ^ By Way of the Stars at IMDb
  2. ^ Dunphy, Catherine (December 1992). Starweek. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "IMDB - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  4. ^ "By Way of the Stars: Zachary Bennett, Tantoo Cardinal, Hannes Jaenicke, Christian Kohlund, Michael Mahonen, Jan Rubes, Gema Zamprogna, Anja Kruse, Allan King: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  5. ^ "By Way of the Stars - 6 Hour Extended Edition". ShopAtSullivan.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-03. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  6. ^ Gazebo TV: By Way of the Star