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![Click for big image]()
The Gathering
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 0018713090379
Format(s): ColorFull Screen
Label: Goodtimes Home Video Corp
Language(s): English Unknown
Manufacturer: Goodtimes Home Video Corp
Number Of Items: 1
Product Group: Video
Address: 1983
Publisher: Goodtimes Home Video Corp
Running Time: 94unknown-units
Studio: Goodtimes Home Video Corp
Theatrical Release Date: 1977
UPC: 018713090379
Editorial Reviews
Product Description:
Adam is a man whose time is running out and for whom life has saved the very best for last. Ed Asner & Maureen Stapleton star in this poignant Emmy Award-winning Christmas Special that has already become a seasonal classic. Adam (Asner) has spent most of his life building up a successful business in New England, and in the process has alienated his entire family: his wife, Kate (Stapleton), and his four adult children. But when Adam learns the jarring truth that he has less than a year to live, he realizes the foolish mistakes he's made in his life and seeks out his wife's help in gathering the family at Christmas, while keeping his illness a secret. At first, none of the children will be able to attend the reunion. Then, on Christmas Eve, one by one the children arrive for a most touching reconciliation. This is a rare, sensitive film that will be charished for many years.
Customer Reviews Average rating - 5.0
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-13
Content: I watch this every year. So far, I still cannot watch it without tears. I thought the more I would see it, the more I would get used to the sadness. But, there is sadness, love and joy and renewed faith... I still tear up every time.
An enjoyable movie, regardless of how long ago the movie was made.
A must to see.
Summary: Great movie
Rating - 5 Date: 2007-11-18
Content: I first became acquainted with this highly moving 1977 Christmas Television movie during one Christmas season in the mid 1980's when it was shown late on Christmas Eve. I immediately fell in love with its simple story filled with much identifiable human drama, great characters and first rate performances by all cast members. Christmas is often a time of reflection and efforts by families to come together despite their conflicts and differences during the past year and the storyline of "The Gathering", uses these very issues to perfection in its beautifully thought out screenplay. "The Gathering", centres its story around one man's recently diagnosed terminal illness which makes him reflect on his wasted life where ambition and the obsession to succeed in big business has cost him not only his wife, his children and his home, but also his inner sense of self worth. Ed Asner still best remembered for his role on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", here takes on a very different kind of role as driven business man Adam Thornton who with only a few months left to live enlists the help of his long estranged wife Kate, (a superb Maureen Stapleton), to gather together for one last Christmas, his four children whose love he sacrificed in his quest for business success. What unfolds is a beautifully crafted tale highlighting the power of forgiveness and family unity against all odds, and while it is indeed on the sentimental side ( which I love incidently!), the film also never shies away from illustrating many all too common human failings and the harmful effects they can often have on those we love.
I firmly believe that very few present day movies dealing with the often complex relationships existing within families come anywhere near the emotional impact that "The Gathering" delivers. It really comes from what I can now see as the "Golden Age", of television movies in the 1970's and 1980's and at its premiere screening for Christmas 1977 was a great success with both viewers and critics earning a coveted Emmy Award for that year as Best Television Movie. That great acclaim and success led to a sequel two years titled simply "Gathering 2", that focused on Kate finding a new man played by Efrem Zimbalist Jr, entering her life at Christmas time. Both these films are amazingly not available on DVD as of Christmas 2007 which is such a major disappointment considering the much loved reputation of the original film which has only ever been available in sub-standard EP VHS editions. Much of the film's memorable quality is due to the near perfect chemistry of veteran performers Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton and this film deserves to be released properly for a new audience to be able to enjoy it. Try to seek out "The Gathering", during this coming Christmas season as it is an emotional viewing experience you wont regret and which I know I cherish every year at this time.
Summary: Superb Christmas Drama Highlighting One Family's Forgiveness And Compassion
Rating - 5 Date: 2007-11-14
Content: I saw this absolutely beautiful film when it was first shown. I was beginning college and to this day I watch it not only at Christmas but whenever I need a pick me up. This movie teaches all about forgiveness and demonstrates that from sadness and sorrow one can find the silver lining and hope eternal.
First rate performances with a story that's right on target. I managed to purchased a tape when it was on the shelf over twenty years ago and it hasn't worn out, yet. I am thinking I should get a few copies for backup and loved ones.
It needs to be on DVD. Will the powers that be please hear us!
Summary: The Best for Christmas
Rating - 5 Date: 2006-02-27
Content: I was so excited to finally find this movie here at Amazon! It is a family favorite and we taped it off of TV many years ago but the tape wore out from viewing it so much and I have been looking for it for years and learned about Amazon, I truly thought I would never find it. I plan to buy several for myself and my kids as they will enoy sharing it with there families soon. I wish it would come out on DVD, but until then I will continue to watch it always between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Summary: The Gathering
Rating - 5 Date: 2005-12-29
Content: Okay, so why are you telling us about your experience of purchasing this movie on the review page? Why not put your comments in the "rate the seller" part of this website. Who cares about your experience with the seller you purchased the movie from (whom has not even been identified in your review)? I know I don't. I marked your review as unhelpful. My 5 star rating is for the movie.
Summary: Message to: Reviewer rjdarr "rjdarr"
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