Resurrection (1980)

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writer:

Lewis John Carlino (written by)

Release Date:

26 September 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

It's not supposed to happen. So be there when it does.

Plot:

Ellen Burstyn experiences the afterlife for a brief time after a car accident that kills her husband...

Plot Keywords:

Car Accident | Gift | Afterlife | California | Motorcycle

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Australia:PG (TV rating) | USA:Approved | UK:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Fabens, Texas, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

When the idea was first pitched to Ellen Burstyn, the film was supposed to be more of a thriller, like The Exorcist (1973). Burstyn was not impressed with that approach, so when she heard the approach offered by writer Lewis John Carlino, she was impressed and this film is the result.

Quotes:

Edna Mae McCauley: If we could just love each other as much as we say we love Him... I expect there'd be much less trouble in the world.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Soundtrack:

Polly Wolly Doodle

Hauntingly affecting in its simplicity

I can't believe anyone would see this film for anything more than it is: a study in the demands of social expectation/responsibility and personal integrity/commitment. The beauty of the film is that these issues are seamlessly laid out and left open to debate. Perhaps it is not the "perfect" script by the standards of McKee or Field, but it is a script which advances according to its premise, that power is something one doesn't ultimately always have control over, be it personal or public power. The healing power that Burstyn acquires becomes both the road to salvation or the road to damnation.

I believe it is one of Burstyn greatest performances. I believe every one of the supporting roles works beautifully to the advance the story, without being tritely melodramatic. (Think Elmer Gantry, which remains a great film in spite of its melodrama.)

And I will always remember the final scene as one of the most honestly affecting moments in my film experience. Few scenes have played so simply and purely to my memory... yes, it tugged the heart strings, but which one of us in her shoes would not have done the exact same thing.

If you haven't seen this film, it is one of the best, purely as entertainment. But it is also a deeply arresting and thought provoking film about human nature and the unexplainable.