Resurrection (1980)

Ellen Burstyn experiences the afterlife for a brief time after a car accident that kills her husband. As she begins her long process of physical healing, she discovers that she has the ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writer:

Lewis John Carlino

Stars:

Ellen Burstyn, Sam Shepard, Richard Farnsworth

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ellen Burstyn	...	Edna
Sam Shepard	...	Cal
Richard Farnsworth	...	Esco
Roberts Blossom	...	John Harper
Clifford David	...	George
Pamela Payton-Wright	...	Margaret
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Joe
Eva Le Gallienne	...	Grandma Pearl
Lois Smith	...	Kathy
Madeleine Sherwood	...	Ruth (as Madeleine Thornton-Sherwood)
Richard Hamilton	...	Earl Carpenter
Carlin Glynn	...	Suzy Kroll
Lane Smith	...	Don
Penelope Allen	...	Ellie
Ebbe Roe Smith	...	Hank Peterson

Storyline

Ellen Burstyn experiences the afterlife for a brief time after a car accident that kills her husband. As she begins her long process of physical healing, she discovers that she has the ability to heal physical infirmities. While most people simply accept her gift, her lover (Sam Shepard) becomes mentally unbalanced and dangerous because she does not place the healings within a religious context.

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Plot Keywords:

car accident | gift | afterlife | grandmother granddaughter relationship | gas station | 

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Taglines:

There is a line between life and death. Edna McCauley crossed over that line and came back. Now no one she touches will ever be the same.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der starke Wille

Filming Locations:

Fabens, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Martin Scorsese was reportedly healed from asthma by the real life healer who inspired this film.

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Quotes

Edna Mae McCauley: [Turning down an offer to have her healing ability tested] What's going on here has to do with people and feelings and not wires and machines. I dunno, it just doesn't feel right to me".

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Crazy Credits

Stills of different portions of the movie are shown during the credits. The final still is a part not previously seen and it shows the rock garden behind the gas station which is referenced earlier in the movie.

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Connections

Referenced in Northern Exposure: Homesick (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Polly Wolly Doodle"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played on a harmonica

User Reviews

Lost Treasure

I recently rediscovered this brilliant film. I saw it when it was released in 1980 and had not seen it since. I was taken aback at how well it has held up to the test of cinematic time. Melodrama, to be sure! Offbeat, yes a little. But when all is said and done the performances of Ellen Burstyn and the great Eva La Gallienne stun! Many films have visited this subject matter, but none with the emotional impact that we recieve from the climax of RESURRECTION. The last scene is worth the view.