Northern Lights

Northern Lights

"Times when we had the powers that be on the run."

1978 · 95 min · ★ 6.2 · Drama, History

The bittersweet story of young lovers caught up in a political struggle waged by farmers against the grain trade, the banks, and the railroads. Set in 1915–16 North Dakota, a largely forgotten era of American history.

Directed by John Hanson · Written by Rob Nilsson

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Kino Film Collection

Rent or Buy

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At Home

Cast

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

3h 10m together

Northern Lights

Shimmer

Both from John Hanson.

More from John HansonSee all →

ShimmerShimmer · 1993
Shimmer
★ 7.81993
MovieDrama
The solo actor in Shimmer tells the story by becoming each character in turn. The play takes place in 1956, in a harsh Midwestern juvenile detention center, where two boys befriend each other.
Baker's HawkBaker's Hawk · 1976
Baker's Hawk
★ 6.81976
MovieDramaAction
When a young boy nurses an injured hawk back to health, he gains newfound courage and confidence on his own.
American PlayhouseAmerican Playhouse · 1982
American Playhouse
★ 6.61982
SeriesDramaComedy
American Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.
SecretsSecrets · 1971
Secrets
★ 4.51971
MovieDrama
A woman's unfulfilling marriage leads her into a passionate affair with a wealthy extramarital lover.
WildroseWildrose · 1984
Wildrose
★ 4.51984
MovieDrama
June Lorich works at the Mesabi Mine on Minnesota's iron range. After an emotionally and physically abusive marriage, June is determined to make it on her own. But the worsening steel industry forces major cutbacks and June is bumped down to an all-male pit. She becomes the brunt of the other workers' hostilities and is forced to fight against them -- and the man she loves -- to save her job.
Mafia on the BountyMafia on the Bounty · 1980
Mafia on the Bounty
★ 3.71980
MovieComedy
A mob boss' plan to rub out his competition runs into trouble when his boat is attacked by a group of gay rights activists whose leader believes he is the legendary Captain Bligh .
Rebel EarthRebel Earth · 1980
Rebel Earth
1980
MovieDocumentary
Henry Martinson accompanies a young North Dakota farmer searching for the sites of his past. The second part of John Hanson and Rob Nilsson's Prairie Trilogy.
The Rendlesham UFO : The British RoswellThe Rendlesham UFO : The British Roswell · 2025
The Rendlesham UFO : The British Roswell
2025
MovieDocumentary
In this thrilling, unique, and sometimes hilarious UFO documentary, tantalising discoveries emerge while delving into Britain’s own Roswell—the 1980 Rendlesham UFO incident where a mysterious craft was reportedly seen landing near a U.S. airbase. As the investigation revisits the original event, the film also chronicles the strange encounters reported in Rendlesham Forest ever since; weird UFO sightings, floating orbs of light, and encounters with terrifying cryptid creatures.
Prairie FirePrairie Fire · 1977
Prairie Fire
1977
MovieDocumentary
The first segment of what would eventually be the Prairie Trilogy, about veteran North Dakota poet and socialist organizer Henry Martinson, who fought against economic exploitation. Martinson recounts the 1916 birth of the Socialist Nonpartisan League, his narrative accompanied by images shot by Nilsson’s own grandfather, Frithjof Holmboe.
SurvivorSurvivor · 1980
Survivor
1980
MovieDocumentary
The final segment of the Prairie Trilogy, about a veteran North Dakota poet and socialist organizer, who fought against economic exploitation. Finished the year before Martinson’s death, it focuses on the biography of its subject, here found in a funny and expansive mood.

More Like This

A Tree Grows in BrooklynA Tree Grows in Brooklyn · 1945
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
★ 7.51945
MovieDrama
In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.
2048: Nowhere to Run2048: Nowhere to Run · 2017
2048: Nowhere to Run
★ 6.82017
MovieScience FictionThriller
“2048: Nowhere to Run” takes place one year before the events of Blade Runner 2049. The short film focuses on Sapper, a man who is trying to make it through life day-by-day without turning back to his old ways. We’re introduced to both the gentle nature of Sapper and the violence he’s capable of when set off.
The Plague DogsThe Plague Dogs · 1982
The Plague Dogs
★ 7.81982
MovieAdventureAnimation
Two dogs, Rowf and Snitter, struggle to survive in the countryside after escaping from an animal research laboratory. They're pursued by search parties and then the military after rumours spread that they could be carrying the bubonic plague.
Party GirlParty Girl · 1995
Party Girl
★ 6.61995
MovieComedyDrama
Although Mary has little income, she still finds ways to spend her nights at clubs. After being arrested for throwing an illegal rave, she asks her aunt Judy for bail money. Judy then finds Mary a job at her library so that Mary can repay her. Initially, Mary finds the job as a clerk boring and stifling, and prefers to get to know a street food vendor whom she likes. However, Mary must refocus her life once she loses her job and apartment.
WavesWaves · 2024
Waves
★ 7.42024
MovieThrillerDrama
At the end of the 1960s, when the air is filled with rock-and-roll and student rebellions are changing the world, the older of two brothers joins a prestigious newsroom of the public radio broadcaster. Not long after, he finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conflict between journalists and the secret service.
The Good EarthThe Good Earth · 1937
The Good Earth
★ 6.31937
MovieDramaHistory
China, during the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The arranged marriage between Wang Lung, a humble farmer, and O-Lan, a domestic slave, will endure the many hardships of life over the years; but the temptations of a fragile prosperity will endanger their love and the survival of their entire family.
Close to EdenClose to Eden · 1991
Close to Eden
★ 6.71991
MovieDrama
A farmer and his wife live in a rural part of Inner Mongolia with their three children. Chinese population control policies prevent them from having any more. The farmer sets out for the nearest town to obtain birth control. He comes upon a Russian truck driver who has ended up in a lake. The farmer takes the man back to his farm, and after initially being appalled, the Russian becomes enchanted with the peaceful life of the countryside and decides to stay. But his presence presages big changes for the peasants.
The Children of the MarshlandThe Children of the Marshland · 1999
The Children of the Marshland
★ 7.11999
MovieComedyDrama
The film is set in Marais, a quiet region along the banks of Loire river in 1918. Riton is afflicted with a bad-tempered wife and three unruly children. Garris lives alone with his recollections of World War I trenches. Their daily life consists of seasonal work and visits from their two pals: Tane, the local train conductor and Amédée, a dreamer and voracious reader of classics.
The Last StationThe Last Station · 2009
The Last Station
★ 6.42009
MovieDramaRomance
A historical drama that illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things. The Countess Sofya, wife and muse to Leo Tolstoy, uses every trick of seduction on her husband's loyal disciple, whom she believes was the person responsible for Tolstoy signing a new will that leaves his work and property to the Russian people.
I Remember MamaI Remember Mama · 1948
I Remember Mama
★ 7.21948
MovieFamilyDrama
Norwegian immigrant Marta Hanson keeps a firm but loving hand on her household of four children, a devoted husband and a highly-educated lodger who reads great literature to the family every evening. Through financial crises, illnesses and the small triumphs of everyday life, Marta maintains her optimism and sense of humor, traits she passes on to her aspiring-author daughter, Katrin.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter