Threshold (1981)

The celebrated heart surgeon Dr. Vrain supports the research of the offbeat scientist Aldo Gehring, who is inventing an artificial heart. Dr. Vrain performs the first artificial human heart... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Pearce

Writer:

James Salter

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, John Marley, Sharon Acker

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Dr. Thomas Vrain
John Marley	...	Edgar Fine
Sharon Acker	...	Tilla Vrain
Mare Winningham	...	Carol Severance
Jeff Goldblum	...	Dr. Aldo Gehring
Michael Lerner	...	Henry De Vici
Julie Armstrong	...	Donna Clure
Jun Asahina	...	Japanese Technician
Steve Ballantine	...	Injured Motorcyclist
Ralph Benmergui	...	Mr. Orantes' Interpreter (as Ralph Benmurgui)
Richard Blackburn	...	Dr. Cutter
Lally Cadeau	...	Anita, Vrain's Secretary
Eric Clavering	...	Old Man in Recovery
James Douglas	...	Older Doctor in X-Ray Room (as James B. Douglas)
Nancy Downey	...	Judy

Storyline

The celebrated heart surgeon Dr. Vrain supports the research of the offbeat scientist Aldo Gehring, who is inventing an artificial heart. Dr. Vrain performs the first artificial human heart transplant against the advice of the Ethics Committee.

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Plot Keywords:

heart | artificial heart | scientist | surgeon | heart transplant | 

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Taglines:

In this surgeons hands, life has a new meaning.

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

A cuore aperto

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 5,700,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canada Permanent Trust Company, Paragon Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Dr. Thomas Vrain is a superstar in the field of Cardiovascular surgery, standing on the threshold of greatness as he becomes the first to accomplish a groundbreaking, history making, procedure.

Donald Sutherland's performance as the highly tauted, respected, and greatly worshipped Dr Thomas Vrain is amazing and poignant. Dr. Vrain is a much love father, and well respected heart surgeon that comes to the realization that "now is the time" when a young patient faces certain death. We see the good doctor rocket from quiet, hard-working anonymity to overnight success and along the way, we see his old life and routine crumble and change.

This movie contains other break-out performances, such as Jeff Goldblum, as determined inventer Aldo Gehring, a man that accomplishes his goals, and achieves the recognition he desires, only to become jaded and bitter. And your heart will break at the wonderful performance given by Mare Winningham, as the young woman who has the most to win or lose, as she places her life in Dr. Vrain's hands.



Along the way we see Dr. Vrain care for his patients with loving kindness in the midst of his hectic schedule, he interacts with friends and family. But as we watch Dr. Vrain become the miracle worker, we get to experience the effect this groundbreaking event will have on him and those in his orbit. Donald Sutherland's portrayal is cool and understated as the the self-assured and talented surgeon that reluctantly steps into medical history.