Return of the Secaucus Seven (1979)

Seven former college friends, along with a few new friends, gather for a weekend reunion at a summer house in New Hampshire to reminisce about the good old days, when they got arrested on the way to a protest in Washington, DC.

Director:

John Sayles

Writer:

John Sayles

Stars:

Bruce MacDonald, Maggie Renzi, Adam LeFevre

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce MacDonald	...	Mike
Maggie Renzi	...	Katie
Adam LeFevre	...	J.T.
Maggie Cousineau	...	Frances
Gordon Clapp	...	Chip
Jean Passanante	...	Irene
Karen Trott	...	Maura
Mark Arnott	...	Jeff
David Strathairn	...	Ron
John Sayles	...	Howie
Marisa Smith	...	Carol
Amy Schewel	...	Lacey
Carolyn Brooks	...	Meg
Eric Forsythe	...	Captain
Nancy Mette	...	Lee

Storyline

The Secaucus 7 of the film's title are seven friends who, during their college days, were arrested in New Jersey on their way to a protest in Washington. The film takes place ten years after all that, as the friends gather at the home of Mike and Katie, now schoolteachers in New Hampshire, bringing with them old problems and new: Maura has left Jeff and seeks consolation with his best friend, J.T.; J.T., arguably the least successful of the friends, finally gets the courage to move to Los Angeles to start a career as a songwriter; Irene brings her new boyfriend along, hoping he'll like and be liked by her friends and expecting them to challenge him for his more-conservative politics; and more. This is the film that inspired "The Big Chill."

---

Plot Keywords:

male nudity | national film registry | friend | college | new hampshire | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Return of the Secaucus 7

Filming Locations:

New Hampshire, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Salsipuedes Productions,Anarchist's Convention Films,UCLA Film and Television Archive

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Novelist John Sayles performed many different roles on this film. He was the films writer, director, editor, acted in the movie, but is not credited as a producer on this film even though Sayles raised finance. Throughout Sayles' career he generally is not credited and/or does not perform producing details.

---

Goofs

Camera shadow on the ground during the basketball game when JT falls down.

---

Quotes

Norman: Take all of you people to nail one buck?
Chip Hollister: It was just lying there with its feet tied together.
Norman: Must've been an easy shot, then.
[They laugh]
Norman: How many points?
Chip Hollister: I didn't count.
Norman: You're not from here, are you?
Chip Hollister: No. Just Mike.
Norman: Lucky sons of bitches. I been jacking deer in these woods all my life. Never stumbled across one that was gift-wrapped!
Officer: Norman!
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Instinct/The Loss of Sexual Innocence/Limbo (1999)

---

Soundtracks

The Boots They Come and the Boots They Go
© 1977 Folk Legacy Inc.
© 1978 Daring Enterprises
Written by Bill Staines
Performed by Mason Daring and Jeanie Stahl

User Reviews

Good film about old friends reuniting

John Sayles first film and it shows, but despite this a great film about old friends reuniting and having a good time. Great characters just being themselves in front of the camera and it is very beautiful. Don't expect action or even much plot out of this film but if you can get past the fact this is not your same old generic Hollywood film you will like this one.