One movie I've always liked was the 1984 "The Dollmaker" starring Jane Fonda as the wife of a Kentucky coal miner during WWII, and their struggles. It's a heart rending story of how she fought through hardship and social restraints in order to help her family. No dulcimer, but there is some wonderful Appalachian music and song woven into the movie. It's a good one. Be sure to have some tissues handy. You can watch it in full for free on youtube, or maybe order it from your library.

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updated by @strumelia: 02/27/26 10:10:50AM

Hi everyone,

Lately I’ve been thinking about films (and a few documentaries) that feature the mountain dulcimer or, more broadly, the Appalachian/old-time folk world where the dulcimer feels at home. It’s a niche corner of music on screen, and the instrument often appears only briefly, but when it does, it can really set a mood - intimate, homemade, and quietly powerful.

I don’t expect movies to be music history lessons, but I do appreciate scenes that capture the atmosphere around traditional instruments: front-porch playing, community music, simple arrangements, and that “passed down by ear” feeling.

Here are a few dulcimer / Appalachian-flavored titles I’ve watched (or revisited) recently:

Songcatcher (2000)

Matewan (1987)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

The Dolly Parton Story: From Coal Miner’s Daughter to Legend (doc)

The Appalachians (PBS series)

Some of these are more about the culture than the instrument itself, but they all helped shape (or reflect) how people picture Appalachian music and the traditions around it.

I also came across a couple of lists while browsing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Documentary_films_about_Appalachia

https://bestsimilar.com/tag/20375-appalachia

It’s hard to tell from lists alone which films are actually orth wwatching from a dulcimer/old-time interest perspective, especially when the mountain dulcimer might only show up in a scene or two.

I’m curious what folks here think:
Are there any films, TV episodes, or documentaries that feature the mountain dulcimer (even briefly) that you enjoyed - or ones that made you cringe? Obscure finds and “blink-and-you-miss-it” appearances are totally welcome. Bonus points if you remember the specific scene or performer.

updated by @cedartrail: 02/27/26 09:56:17AM