7.4/10
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Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981)

R | | Drama | 22 January 1982 (USA)
Ken Harrison is an artist who makes sculptures. One day he is involved in a car accident, and is paralyzed from his neck down. All he can do is talk, and he wants to die. In hospital he ... See full summary »

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(play), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Dr. Michael Emerson
...
Dr. Clare Scott
...
Carter Hill
...
Judge Wyler
Kaki Hunter ...
Mary Jo Sadler
...
Orderly John
Alba Oms ...
Nurse Rodriguez
Janet Eilber ...
Pat
Kathryn Grody ...
Mrs. Boyle
...
Dr. Jacobs
...
Dr. Barr
Ward Costello ...
Mr. Eden
Alston Ahern ...
Day Nurse
Betty Cole ...
ICU Nurse
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Storyline

Ken Harrison is an artist who makes sculptures. One day he is involved in a car accident, and is paralyzed from his neck down. All he can do is talk, and he wants to die. In hospital he make friends with some of the staff, and they support him when he goes to trial to be allowed to die. Written by Eva Kristin Berntzen <eva@himolde.no>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The ultimate drama in the human comedy See more »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

22 January 1982 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

C'est ma vie, après tout!  »

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

At Richard Dreyfuss' suggestion, John Badham directed Dreyfus in the stage version of this film as a way for both of them to get familiar with the material. The production was produced at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in the summer of 1980, and co-starred Blythe Danner in the role ultimately played by Christine Lahti. See more »

Quotes

Ken Harrison: I admit that it's embarrassing for a man to compliment a woman on her breasts when only one of them is in bed. One of the people, that is. Not one of the breasts.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Danger!! Death Ray (1995) See more »

Soundtracks

Punkette Nights
Words and Music by Michael Starobin
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Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Thought provoking
15 November 2002 | by (Varde, Denmark) – See all my reviews

This thought provoking and philosophically painful. Most people have an opinion on euthanasia and how they would react should they end up helplessly crippled and so does Ken Harrison in this movie. But do we really mean what we say? What is really special about this movie is that it does not take a stand at the end. It lets us wonder. Does he actually change his mind as the good doctor suggests he might?

I for one, dread a decision like this one.


14 of 17 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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