Customer Reviews

The Gathering

5 star:		(108)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is a lovely little made-for-TV film, with a good script, sound acting, and the enjoyment of watching familiar faces. Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton head a cast that includes Lawrence Pressman, Veronica Hamel, Gregory Harrison, Stephanie Zimbalist, Gail Strickland, Edward Winter, and more. Yes, the "dying man making amends" plot seems a little weepy, but this family interacts in a way that reminds us how real families are: lots of ruffled feathers that are ignored when the chips are down. My husband and I have a rare VHS copy of this gem, and watch it every holiday season with a fresh box of tissues nearby.

With all the trash available on DVD these days, it's a shame that this film isn't similarly formatted for all to enjoy. In a nation supposedly concerned with "moral values," people are snapping up far lesser efforts. If you can find this one, it will become a part of you.

The Gathering is an excellent drama set during the Xmas season in a New England town; The family patriarch Adam Thornton, portrayed by Ed Asner, learns that "he's run out of time", and with his death looming shortly, he enlists the aid of his estranged wife, Kate, played by Maureen Stapleton, to have a traditional Christmas "gathering" of the estranged Thornton clan at the family home. The emotional subplots deal with the family's mixed feelings regarding their parents' separation and the potential fireworks which may occur, the reunion of the clan and the many fences Adam needs to mend before he dies- without telling the family of his illness. It does sound a little moribund and yet...the teleplay by James Poe brings the warmth of the holiday season to the fore, as each family member finds love and healing. The production won an Emmy award for outstanding drama and should have received more for the excellent performances by Asner and Stapleton.
This film has become a holiday viewing staple in my home since its premiere thirty years ago, and brings joy and tears with a profound holiday glow to my entire family. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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.

Each year I check to see if this fine movie has been released on DVD and each year I am disappointed--but maybe next year. If there are those who have not seen it I would like to whole heartedly recommend it. The story is poignant without being maudlin--it is full of hope without being corny. In addition to an excellent story, the directing, and acting are superb. The main characters played by Edward Asner and Maureen Stapleton bring depth and sincere feeling to characters who are not perfect human beings, but who have a sincere caring and love for each other that has been misplaced but never lost. In the end it brings the hope of the season--that redemption is always possible and that family, whether "gathered" together or apart has a unity, caring and closeness that endures over estrangement, miles, and years --an excellent movie, and a Christmas Classic.

This is my favorite Christmas movie. I too wish it would come out on DVD. This is a classic, Christmas tear jerker, filled with forgiveness, redemption and love.

ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES MADE. THIS MOVIE KICKS OFF OUR HOLIDAY SEASON EVERY YEAR. I WILL NEVER TIRE OF THIS MOVIE.
THE FAMILY BONDS ARE STRONG AND ALL IS FORGIVEN IN LOVE.......SAD ENDING OR WHAT IS LEFT AS THE ENDING.

It is a tradition for me to watch this movie every Christmas. My own
personal copy was recorded by me from a PBS channel years ago. I fear
it may not last many more years. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. I hope this
will become available.

This 2 disc set is a wonderful holiday treat. You can purchase this set at Warner Bros website for $19.95. Enjoy

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!

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.