Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story (1986)

Fact-based story about Mitch Snyder (Martin Sheen), a Washington crusader for the homeless, who took their case to Congress. Working for the Community for Creative Non-violence, Snyder ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard T. Heffron

Writer:

Clifford Campion

Stars:

Martin Sheen, Roxanne Hart, Joe Seneca

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Sheen	...	Mitch Snyder
Roxanne Hart	...	Carol Fennelly
Joe Seneca	...	Reverend
Stan Shaw	...	Harold Moss
Cicely Tyson	...	Muriel
James Avery	...	Hank Dudney
Guy Boyd	...	Tom
Janet Carroll	...	Susan Baker
Jordan Charney	...	Pete Stark
Brett Cullen	...	Billy
Conchata Ferrell	...	Ida Sinclair
Dorothy Fielding	...	Diane Fisk
James Handy	...	Melvin Mander
Matthew Laurance	...	Max
John McLiam	...	Jessie

Storyline

Fact-based story about Mitch Snyder (Martin Sheen), a Washington crusader for the homeless, who took their case to Congress. Working for the Community for Creative Non-violence, Snyder became outraged at the number of homeless people who had been dumped on the Washington streets without shelter from mental institutions and other care facilities. His advocacy drew national attention to the "missing persons" that live among us. Cicely Tyson also appears as a bag-lady who teaches Snyder and his cohorts how to survive on the streets.

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Plot Keywords:

starving | homelessness | social activism | hunger strike | based on true story

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

A szamaritánus: Mitch Snyder története

Filming Locations:

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

LeVine-Robins Productions, Fries Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Somewhat Sanitized

"Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story" was decent enough. I think if I saw this during the eighties, I'd have appreciated it more. I do remember seeing a lot of homeless in my city and the consensus was that Ronald Reagan had much to do with it. It's amazing that President Reagan's name or likeness wasn't seen or spoken once in the entire television movie! But the real issue was how none of the very real sanitary problems of the homeless wasn't addressed at all. Not everyone is insensitive to the homeless blight, but when the stench of lack of showers or toiletries makes any kind of affinity extremely difficult, how can one blame the public? I wanted to like this movie, but it struck me as just a little too hokey for my tastes. (7 out of 10)