The Terry Fox Story (1983)

The true story about the Canadian cancer amputee hero who decided to run across Canada on only one leg to raise money for cancer research.

Director:

Ralph L. Thomas (as R.L. Thomas)

Writers:

John Kastner (story by), Rose Kastner (story by)

Stars:

Eric Fryer, Robert Duvall, Chris Makepeace

8 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Duvall	...	Bill Vigars
Eric Fryer	...	Terry Fox
Chris Makepeace	...	Darrell Fox (as Christopher Makepeace)
Rosalind Chao	...	Rika Noda
Michael Zelniker	...	Doug Alward
Elva Mai Hoover	...	Betty Fox
Frank Adamson	...	Rolly Fox
Marie McCann	...	Judith Fox
Clyde Rose	...	Fisherman
Austin Davis	...	NFLD Merchant
Matt Craven	...	Bob Cady
Jeremy Brown	...	M.C. Nathan Phillips Square
Sheldon Rybowski	...	Gogie
Dorothy Wyatt	...	Mayor Wyatt
Steve Hunter	...	Official at Barrie (as Steven Hunter)

Storyline

Terry Fox has lost a leg to cancer. Frustrated with the lack of public support for or recognition of cancer victims and amputees, he sets himself the task of running across Canada to raise money for cancer research: his "Marathon of Hope".

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | terry fox character | four word title | cancer | cancer research | 

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Taglines:

He made an entire nation stand up and cheer!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 May 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heart of a Champion

Filming Locations:

St. John's, Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$2,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

CTV Television Network, HBO Premiere Films, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first made-for-cable film.

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Connections

Referenced in You Don't Have to Die (1988)

User Reviews

One hell of an inspirational journey, adequately carried by untrained actor Fryer

Yes, here might be a movie where you have to break out the Kleenex and start sobbing. No, this real life drama/true story bypasses all of that, avoiding the sentimentality's, what have you. Real life cripple Eric fryer, playing Terry with honesty and realism, not overacting primarily makes this film. He's a very angry and bitter man, Participating in a walk for charity, with one leg, the other just a mechanical foot attached to a spring, which makes the journey harder, but inspirational, we follow the pitfalls, where at times, Fox gets really stormed up, at times, almost wanting to pack it in. Rosalund Chao, as his girlfriends adds some romantic moments, where Duvall, is great as the abused driver, transporting Fox, while Makepeace is likable as Fox's younger brother. Avoiding all that sop sop, a thing I really like about the film, it has a realist nature about it, and Fox's journey is one vastly travelled where he suffers a few hiccups, collapsing at one stage, while bleeding from his fake leg, where the end is an ultimate predictability. His anger and effrontery does get to you at times. This is a very entertaining drama, one I liked very much, where a similar film, of the same year, Running Brave, is one to check out too.