The Gathering (TV 1977)

Dying father (Ed Asner) pulls his torn family together for a last Christmas.

Director:

Randal Kleiser

Writer:

James Poe

Stars:

Edward Asner, Maureen Stapleton, Rebecca Balding

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Asner	...	Adam
Maureen Stapleton	...	Kate
Rebecca Balding	...	Julie
Sarah Cunningham	...	Clara
Bruce Davison	...	George
Veronica Hamel	...	Helen
Gregory Harrison	...	Bud Jr.
James Karen	...	Bob Block
Lawrence Pressman	...	Tom
John Randolph	...	Dr. Hodges
Gail Strickland	...	Peggy
Edward Winter	...	Roger
Stephanie Zimbalist	...	Toni
Maureen Readinger	...	Tiffany
Ronald Readinger	...	Joey

Storyline

When Adam Thornton learns that he only has a little time left, he decides that he wants to make peace with his family. Only problem is that most of his family are not exactly fond of him because he walked out on his wife and of his stubborn nature and he hasn't spoken to his youngest son after having an argument with him which he was in the wrong but only realize after his son left and has not been heard from since. But he goes to her to help him find him. But when his doctor says that it won't be good for him to travel, she suggests that they invite them all for Christmas. While most of them come, Adam's attempt at reconciliation won't be easy.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | argument | reconciliation | terminal illness | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Emmy Award Winner - Best Dramatic Special [Video Australia]

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1977 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although they were portraying father and son Ed Asner was only 10 years older than Lawrence Pressman.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Adam Thornton: God's a cheat!
Dr. John Hodges: You never were much of a cusser.

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Connections

Featured in The 30th Annual Emmy Awards (1978)

User Reviews

One of the best TV movies ever

Sentimental but not sugary-sweet, "The Gathering" is a wonderful holiday treat. Ed Asner is perfect as the businessman who lost his way and his family four years earlier to his career. When he finds out he's dying, he tries to reconcile himself to his four grown children and his estranged wife. She helps him plan the gathering of the family, and in the process they tentatively get to know each other again.

Maureen Stapleton so completely lives her role that you wonder if she's been through something like this before in her own life. She is a revelation, and is the rock-hard center the film anchors itself with. Without her it would be half a film. Lawrence Pressman, Gail Strickland, Rebecca Balding and Gregory Harrison are the children who bring their spouses to the ancestral home to celebrate Christmas. They are all capable actors and actresses, and enhance the production immeasurably. The sets are perfect, the music superb, and the snowfall even arrives on time. It doesn't miss a trick, but you don't realize that while you're watching it. Honest emotions and genuine sentiment, along with a great script, make this a holiday film you won't want to miss.

It's available on DVD through Warner Archive as of 2011, which is great news; however, an audio commentary would have been even better news but the Archive doesn't do extras. "The Gathering" is a classic and is now readily available for everyone to enjoy at Christmas.