Bitter Harvest (1981)

A farmer's herd sickens and dies, then his family and neighbors fall ill, so he bucks the state agricultural establishment as he pursues the politically-explosive investigation of how his farm, family, and friends came to be poisoned.

Director:

Roger Young

Writers:

Frederic Halbert (book), Sandra Halbert (book),

Stars:

Ron Howard, Art Carney, Tarah Nutter

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ron Howard	...	Ned De Vries
Art Carney	...	Walter Peary
Tarah Nutter	...	Kate De Vries
David Knell	...	Brandon
Barry Corbin	...	Dr. Agajanian
Richard Dysart	...	Dr. Morton Freeman
Michael Bond	...	DeJong
Jim Haynie	...	Doc
Robert Hirschfeld	...	Harold
G.W. Bailey	...	Lazlo
Robert Behling	...	Art
Ken Hixon	...	Williams
Dwight Schultz	...	Schlatter
Joe Miksak	...	Al
J.E. Freeman	...	Farmer #2

Storyline

A farmer's herd sickens and dies, then his family and neighbors fall ill, so he bucks the state agricultural establishment as he pursues the politically-explosive investigation of how his farm, family, and friends came to be poisoned.

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Plot Keywords:

dairy farm | usa | environmental | agriculture | rural setting | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dødelig gift

Filming Locations:

Healdsburg, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles Fries Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

The movie was based on a true story and one in which i lived in

I lived 20 miles from the town the mix up occurred. I was told the chemical that was mixed with feed would not harm me or my family and that it stayed in the body of humans in fat cells. I have 2 daughters that I believe suffer the effects of this chemical and can not get much help from government concerning what happened on those farms and the true effects it has on the body. Michigan did a great job of a cover-up and still does for that matter. My daughters have tried to get information concerning what happened to no avail. This movie is the only one made on the matter and I am going to try to get a copy to show to my daughters. I remember watching it and at the time did not know my daughters had reproductive problems that are extremely unusual and not something my ex husband and I ever had a family history of. Thank you Mr. Howard for making a movie that tells what really happened and not what the state of Michigan is covering up.