Bitter Harvest (1981)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 34min
- Drama
- 18 May 1981 (USA)
- TV Movie
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:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Ron Howard | ... |
Ned De Vries
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| Art Carney | ... |
Walter Peary
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Tarah Nutter | ... |
Kate De Vries
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| David Knell | ... |
Brandon
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| Barry Corbin | ... |
Dr. Agajanian
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| Richard Dysart | ... |
Dr. Morton Freeman
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Michael Bond | ... |
DeJong
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Jim Haynie | ... |
Doc
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Robert Hirschfeld | ... |
Harold
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| G.W. Bailey | ... |
Lazlo
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Robert Behling | ... |
Art
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Ken Hixon | ... |
Williams
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| Dwight Schultz | ... |
Schlatter
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Joe Miksak | ... |
Al
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| J.E. Freeman | ... |
Farmer #2
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Will Marchetti | ... |
Farmer #3
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Matthew Locricchio | ... |
Worker
(as Matt Locrichio)
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Ross McKerras | ... |
Man #1
(as Ron Meszaros)
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| Terry David Mulligan | ... |
Man #2
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| Charlotte Stewart | ... |
Mrs. Lazlo
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Al Cingolani | ... |
Harley
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| Frank Papia | ... |
Plant Manager
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| Christopher Kriesa | ... |
Marshall
(as Chris Kriesa)
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John Argue | ... |
Chairman
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| Linda Stuart | ... |
Secretary
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Bill Reddick | ... |
(uncredited)
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Directed by
| Roger Young | ||
Written by
| Frederic Halbert | ... | (book "Bitter Harvest") & |
| Sandra Halbert | ... | (book "Bitter Harvest") |
| Richard Friedenberg | ... | (written for television by) |
Produced by
| Charles W. Fries | ... | executive producer (as Charles Fries) |
| Tony Ganz | ... | producer |
Music by
| Fred Karlin | ||
Cinematography by
| Gayne Rescher | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| John A. Barton | ||
| Thomas Fries | ||
Editorial Department
| John A. Barton | ... | assistant film editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Judith Holstra | ||
Art Direction by
| Bryan Ryman | ||
Set Decoration by
| Ray Molyneaux | ... | (as 'Mal' R. Molyneaux) |
Makeup Department
| Shanon Ely | ... | hairdresser (as Shannon Ely) |
| Jim Kail | ... | makeup artist (as James Kail) |
Production Management
| Robert S. Mendelsohn | ... | unit production manager |
| William P. Owens | ... | executive production manager |
| Louis Wexner | ... | post-production supervisor (as Louis M. Wexner) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Craig Huston | ... | first assistant director |
| Joseph J. Kontra | ... | second assistant director (as Joseph John Kontra) |
Art Department
| Roy 'Bucky' Moore | ... | property master (as Bucky Moore) |
Sound Department
| Richard Dwan Jr. | ... | sound editor |
| Charles T. Knight | ... | sound mixer (as Charlie Knight) |
Special Effects by
| Andrew 'Sandy' Overholtzer | ... | special effects (as Andrew Overholtzer) |
Stunts
| Frank Moorehead | ... | stunt double |
Camera and Electrical Department
| John Abbene | ... | second assistant camera |
| Romolo Acquistapace | ... | gaffer (as Ro Aquistapace) |
| Catherine E. Coulson | ... | camera assistant (as Catherine Coulson) |
| Harvey Genkins | ... | camera operator |
| Gene Griffith | ... | key grip |
| Jonathan West | ... | camera operator |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Denita Del Signore | ... | costumer: women |
| Frank Novak | ... | costumer: men |
Location Management
| Katha Jones | ... | location auditor |
| Deborah Lawson | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| John Fresco | ... | music supervisor |
| John Mick | ... | music editor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Frank Tudisco | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Kay Peterson | ... | transportation captain |
| Ted Schambers | ... | transportation co-captain (as Ted Schamberg) |
Additional Crew
| John Fries | ... | production assistant (as John M. Fries) |
| Orin Kennedy | ... | production associate |
| Marcia Ross | ... | assistant: Judith Holstra (as Marcia S. Ross) |
| Jim Spahn | ... | ramrod (as James Spahn) |
| Joan Stevenson | ... | production coordinator |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Fries Distribution Company (US syndication)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1981) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- Video Classics (1984) (Australia) (video)
- Yellow Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Cinemobile System (locations)
- Consolidated Film Industries (CFI) (titles and opticals)
- Film Works (sound effects)
- Glen Glenn Sound Company (sound re-recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Ned De Vries (Ron Howard) is the owner of a dairy farm whose livestock falls ill. The veterinarian cannot determine the cause, and the problem escalates. De Vries cleans the pastures of suspected contamination and observes the animals in an effort to explain their symptoms. He discovers that the cattle must have been poisoned, but nobody takes him seriously. Soon, however, his loved ones also become ill, prompting him to launch an investigation on his own. He reaches out to scientists and sends samples to a chemical laboratory. The film is based on true events that occurred in Michigan, USA, in 1973, when several thousand pounds of the chemical PBB were inadvertently mixed into cattle feed sent to farms. Written by Hayduke |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | This true story happened in rural Michigan, and was in court before the citizens were aware that they had been poisoned by PolyBrominated Biphenyl (PBB), a fire retardant that got inadvertently mixed into cattle feed by the local Farm Bureau. It took two years before the citizens were aware that the beef and milk were toxic. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1981). See more » |