Product Details

• Format: Color, Full Screen
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Goodtimes Home Video Corp
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001J20QW
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,374 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Kids & Family > Holidays & Festivals > Christmas

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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best holiday heart-tuggers, December 1, 2004

By	Arlene Ross (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bucky Sappenfield of Columbus, OH, December 14, 2004

By	G. R. Sappenfield "Bucky" (Terlingua, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE GATHERING, January 20, 2005

By	MAGGIE "SENTIMENTAL" (ILLINOIS) - See all my reviews

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.