Movie

Dallas: The Early Years

1986 · 141 min

A slow, nostalgic saga of ambition and rivalry, played straight and earnest, with the sweep of old grudges forming.

Tagline: The breathtaking beginnings of the Ewing empire.
Overview: Prequel to the popular "Dallas" TV series focuses on the origins of the Ewing-Barnes feud during the 1930s. Narrated by Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing, the film begins at a 1951 barbecue where “Digger” Barnes fires a shot at Jock Ewing, then flashes back to the 1930s. Jock and Digger, initially friends bonded over their ambition to find oil, become rivals as they both vie for the affections of Miss Ellie.
How it feels: Melancholic, earnest, romantic and tense. Measured and needs your attention.
About: Ambition, betrayal, love, family
Content: Mild violence, sexual content and language. No gore.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Add to a list: Dallas: The Early Years

In the USNo streaming, rental or purchase options known.

In your watch list

In this series

Dallas Movie Collection

Like Dallas: The Early Years, but

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: melancholicstrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
romanticstrength 2 of 3
tensestrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: ambition
betrayal
love
family
greed
Places: countryside
small town
home
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: nonlinear
serialised
Content intensity: Gore none
Language mild
Violence mild
Sex mild