Ulee's Gold

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Ulee's Gold

R

1997

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Widowed beekeeper and Vietnam veteran Ulysses "Ulee" Jackson (Peter Fonda) raises his granddaughters because his son, Jimmy (Tom Wood), is in prison. When Jimmy finds out that his estranged wife, Helen (Christine Dunford), has gotten herself into trouble with a crew of drug dealers and has run away, he asks Ulee for help. Ulee begrudgingly agrees to find Helen. When he does, he must rely on the unexpected aid of a divorced nurse (Patricia Richardson) to get Helen through her withdrawal.

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Critics Consensus

Led by an outstanding Peter Fonda performance, Ulee's Gold movingly depicts a family in crisis -- and a patriarch willing to sacrifice for the good of others.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 28, 2018

Nunez's use of melodrama is as refreshingly anti-Hollywood as ever: the action is entirely in the service of character. What's startling about this quiet, un-hyped-up film is how moving it is.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

This low-key drama is played slow and sage.

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Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

Apr 25, 2003

3/4

One of those unexpected pleasures that combines a low budget with a high emotional impact.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 24, 2021

3.5/4

Peter Fonda delivers the performance of his career in this excellent indie hit.

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Dan Webster

Spokesman-Review (Washington)

Mar 27, 2019

4/4

Writer/director Nunez holds the threat of danger over all that happens, but the film is less a study of violence than it is a look at how one makes hard decisions in the face of harsh circumstances.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Aug 31, 2006

4/5

Deceptively old-fashioned, this is an emotionally quiet but rewarding portrait of a taciturn beekeeper (marvelously played by Peter Fonda, who resembles his dad) forced to emerged out of his solitary, sheltered life and face his family responsibilities

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Frans B

@FransB Jul 17, 2026

Brilliant. Expertly directed by Victor Nunez. Very well written. Very good cinematography and visually portraying the relevant ambiance perfectly. Whole cast utterly convincing in character, Peter Fonda and Patricia Richardson in particular. So close to real life it's scary. Filled with drama, dilemma, suspense, frustration, intrigue, some melodrama, frustration, hopelessness, self sacrifice, prevalence, endearment and just about every other human emotion. Very captivating and filled with food for thought. One of Peter Fonda's better movies, if not the best

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Oct 10, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Martin B

@RT44235356 Feb 27, 2023

Best movie Fonda Jr ever did including Easy Rider. Has it all. Plot, backdrop, heart warming story line and Peter Fonda's best acting performance. Peter Fonda was never anything close to his father or sister in acting talent except this one moves when he was better then either.

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robert m

@RT01909882 Jul 20, 2021

Peter Fonda's best movie and one of the best movies about life in the rural South. This movie relies heavily on Fonda and it's impressive. Imagine a movie about the South that gets beyond the insensitivity and the nastiness that's often presented by Hollywood. Fonda's character has some depth and he learns a few things.

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ashley h

@ashleyhobgood87 Jul 16, 2020

Ulee's Gold is an excellent film. It is about a reclusive beekeeper slowly pulls his dysfunctional family back together. Peter Fonda and Patricia Richardson give fantastic performances. The script is well written. Victor Nunez did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama. Ulee's Gold is a must see.

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steve d

@RT35616104 Jul 7, 2020

An emotional and engaging story with strong performances especially from Fonda (who should have won the Academy Award) and Biel.

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Victor Nunez

Director

Peter Fonda

Ulysses 'Ulee' Jackson

Patricia Richardson

Connie Hope

Jessica Biel

Casey Jackson

J. Kenneth Campbell

Sheriff Bill Floyd

Christine Dunford

Helen Jackson

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Synopsis

Widowed beekeeper and Vietnam veteran Ulysses "Ulee" Jackson (Peter Fonda) raises his granddaughters because his son, Jimmy (Tom Wood), is in prison. When Jimmy finds out that his estranged wife, Helen (Christine Dunford), has gotten herself into trouble with a crew of drug dealers and has run away, he asks Ulee for help. Ulee begrudgingly agrees to find Helen. When he does, he must rely on the unexpected aid of a divorced nurse (Patricia Richardson) to get Helen through her withdrawal.

Director: Victor Nunez
Screenwriter: Victor Nunez
Distributor: Orion Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Clinica Estetico
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 13, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 16mm, 1.66:1

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