I recently bought, and just tonight watched a wonderful movie, called "The Fifth String", with the great banjo/fiddle player and teacher, Dwight Diller, and the wonderful old-time fiddler, John Morris.

Diller's character, Daniel Greenfield, is from Appalachia, but has been away (in academia, a PhD in music and folk culture) for about thirty years, and has in effect rejected his mountain roots. When his uncle (who raised him and his brother, played by Morris) dies he flies back for the funeral. The culture and the music which he had put out of his life for years comes back, I suppose you could say to his "spiritual salvation". When I say "spiritual" I'm not talking about religion.

There are no professional actors in the movie, but I didn't feel any lack of convincing characterization. The old-time music throughout is absolutely first-rate, including an great deal of it done by Diller and Morris, and the plot is very affecting. The Appalachian culture is well and convincingly presented, along with the great scenery you'd expect to find in that neck of the woods.

I cannot recommend this movie enough. It's an independent film, and you'll probably never see it in a movie house or the rental stores. It costs $14.95, and money well spent too.   You can get it through Amazon.

Dave Oesterreich