The End (1978)

Slapstick black comedy about a man (Reynolds) who finds that he hasn't much longer to live and has bungled his attempts at suicide.

Director:

Burt Reynolds

Writer:

Jerry Belson

Stars:

Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Sally Field

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Reynolds	...	Wendell Sonny Lawson
Dom DeLuise	...	Marlon Borunki
Sally Field	...	Mary Ellen
Strother Martin	...	Dr. Waldo Kling
David Steinberg	...	Marty Lieberman
Joanne Woodward	...	Jessica Lawson
Norman Fell	...	Dr. Samuel Krugman
Myrna Loy	...	Maureen Lawson
Kristy McNichol	...	Julie Lawson
Pat O'Brien	...	Ben Lawson
Robby Benson	...	Father Dave Benson
Carl Reiner	...	Dr. James Maneet
Louise LeTourneau	...	Receptionist
Bill Ewing	...	Hearse Driver
Robert Rothwell	...	Limousine Driver

Storyline

Wendell Lawson has only 6 months to live. Not wanting to live his last few months of life waiting for the end, he decides to take his own life. He enlists the help of a humorously delusional mental patient, and the movie chronicles his many unsuccessful attempts to kill himself. Will he ever succeed...?

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Plot Keywords:

slapstick | black comedy | mental patient | terminal illness | directed by star | 

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Taglines:

A comedy for you and your next of kin.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 May 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

A vég

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gordon-Reynolds Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this movie, the surname of Robby Benson's character, Father Dave Benson, is the same as his real last name.

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Goofs

When Wendell Lawson slams on his brakes next to the funeral procession in front of the Church, the shadow of the Church steeple and crucifix appear on his forehead. However in the cutaway to the Church, we clearly see there are no shadows anywhere on the face of the Church, indicating that the sun is in front of the Church and not behind it, thus unable to produce a shadow on Wendell.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Marlon Borunki: You don't like me any more.
Wendell Sonny Lawson: I like ya, Marlon. I like ya, I really do.
Marlon Borunki: You do?
Wendell Sonny Lawson: I do. But you gotta understand. Tell me you understand.
Marlon Borunki: I understand. I love ya, Sonny. I really do.
Wendell Sonny Lawson: I love ya to, Marlon.
Marlon Borunki: I love ya, Sonny.
Wendell Sonny Lawson: I love you too.
Marlon Borunki: [hugging then Marlon suddenly pulls a knife] Surprise!
[...]

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Connections

Remake of The Odd Job (1978)

User Reviews

What do you mean "The End"?

There's more to life than just ending it, just because you are terminally ill. For Wendell(Burt Reynolds) he just want to die fast and not be in so much pain. We all know that suicide is a act of selfishness when that person wants to rid himself off the Earth. That really brings more pain than ease to others. Every time when Wendell tries to get rid of himself, those plans are intervened by something else. He tries to OD(Overdose) on some pills, the milk he drinks has soured. He gets committed to an asylum the suicide attempts there are thwarted, after he meets another mental patient who happens to be more off than himself. Marlon(Dom DeLuise, 1933-2009) is so unhappy with himself, he bungled all tempts to help put Wendell out of his misery. Wendell on the other hand decided to see what he is doing to himself and just live life the way it is despite his condition of health. If I was terminal, I would enjoy myself everyday, until the end of time. A very funny movie with a touch of serious in the mix. Enjoy it! R.I.P., Dom Deluise! 3 out of 5 stars!