The Gathering is a made for TV movie that aired on Dec. 04 1977, just a few years after the end of the Vietnam War. Adam Thornton (Ed Asner) is a successful businessman who has just learned, from his good friend and doctor (John Randolph), that he only has a few weeks to live. It is Christmastime, and the reality is that Adam has been separated from his wife Kate (Maureen Stapleton) for years, and also was estranged from grown children, who he had not seen or spoken to for a long time.
The very essence of this film is for Adam, with the help of Kate, to try to orchestrate a gathering of the family, without playing the death card. Adam does not tell Kate of his condition, but she easily guesses the situation, confronts him, but will honor his wishes to not reveal his inevitability.
This will be a formidable task, since the grown children and in-laws are scattered all over the USA and Canada, and most don’t want anything to do with their gruff father Adam. Other Christmas plans have been made, there are ski trips to Aspen, so Kate has her work cut out for her.
So, what happens? Well, Adam and Kate get to work decorating the house, fixing up old favorites, like a train set and a doll house for the grandkids, and they hope for the best. I will avoid major spoilers, but miraculously, all but one of the daughters and sons, along with spouses and grandkids, arrive at the family homestead on Christmas Eve. What about Bud Jr., the disowned draft-dodger whose dust-up was most grieved and regretted by the repentant Adam? You’ll just have to watch the movie and see.
The Gathering should rightfully be a must-watch Christmas classic. It was forgotten for years, but is now available for streaming on Tubi (with a lot of ads) and probably other platforms. This film was very well done. Considering the circumstances, this movie could have been an annoying and maudlin sap-fest, but those pitfalls were avoided skillfully. The acting was top-notch, especially Ed Asner and Lawrence Pressman as Tom, the oldest son, who was a stubborn chip off the old block, just like the old man. Their reconciliation was one of the high points of the evening.
If you are looking for a Christmas movie for the family, that is not cornball dreck like It’s A Wonderful Life, be sure to check this one out.
8.0/10.0 With the Goatesians Rating of Must-See Christmas Movie
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