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The Gathering (1977) (TV) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   265 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
James Poe (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Gathering on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 December 1977 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Emmy Award Winner - Best Dramatic Special [Video Australia]
Plot:
Dying father (Ed Asner) pulls his torn family together for a last Christmas. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Maureen Stapleton: 1925-2006
 (From IMDb News. 13 March 2006)

User Reviews:
A ten year Christmas Eve tradition more (20 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Edward Asner ... Adam Thornton

Maureen Stapleton ... Kate Thornton
Rebecca Balding ... Julie Pelham
Sarah Cunningham ... Clara

Bruce Davison ... George Pelham
Veronica Hamel ... Helen Thornton
Gregory Harrison ... Bud Thornton

James Karen ... Bob Block
Lawrence Pressman ... Tom Thornton

John Randolph ... Dr. John Hodges
Gail Strickland ... Peggy Thornton
Edward Winter ... Roger

Stephanie Zimbalist ... Toni Thornton
John A. Hubbard ... Reverend Powell
Mary Bradley Marable ... Mary, the Maid
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Additional Details

Runtime:
120 min (including commercials)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Followed by The Gathering, Part II (1979) (TV) more

FAQ

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12 out of 15 people found the following review useful.
A ten year Christmas Eve tradition, 25 December 2004
8/10
Author: reef54703 from United States

Along with "All Mine to Give", this is the other film my wife and view each Christmas Eve, and although I disagree in a small way with some of the commentators who precede me, if you can catch this one at Christmas time, watch and tape it--This is a film you should suspend your disbelief, and immerse your self in the story--There are few examples of great acting, except, I hasten to add, that of Maureen Stapleton--Her character has the goodness of "Miss Mellie" in GWTW, but has an era appropriate anger--The writing is equal to the acting, so maybe the actors are doing the best they can with the material given, and if viewing critically, one might think a few more rewrites wouldn't be amiss--But as I stated above, don't view it critically-(after 10+ viewings, some critique does creep in)--This notwithstanding, when viewed as a whole, especially with John Barry's evocative score throughout(I have been unable to track down a copy of the soundtrack},it's a moving tribute to the type of family Christmas some may have had, and all wish they had, but nevertheless evoke nostalgia for Christmas past--The impending death leitmotif, although essential, is not a "downing" factor--One is left with a pleasant melancholy, and an appreciation for one's family, however they define it--Merry Christmas, Everyone--

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Bought a fabulous quality DVD apiperchic
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