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Sunshine (1973)

Director: Joseph Sargent

Average user rating
7 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Based on a true story and originally made for TV (where it ran 130 minutes), this contains some redeeming features behind its blandness. At worst it's the Love Story of the Woodstock generation, with its couple and their alternative society patronisingly depicted for a mass audience (John Denver's songs being entirely consistent with this vision). Its plot - young, beautiful mother, dying from a malignant tumour - for the most part places the film firmly in the realms of Hollywood's Terminal Casebook. However, Carol Sobieski's script manages to hint at deeper things. Kate, the heroine (Raines), appears sympathetic and misguided in turns, and the tensions that her illness cause are treated with some integrity. Equally, the sustained and irritating zaniness of her husband (De Young) in the face of something he can't and doesn't want to comprehend is absolutely right. She is left recording her thoughts into a tape recorder while he has an affair with the neighbour. That she dies a human being, rather than in the angelic limbo usually reserved for such occasions, remains some sort of achievement. But the valid confusions of the script become dissipated by the direction. Thus, in the context of Sargent's pedestrian direction, Kate's 'Life was just so incredibly beautiful' takes on an unintended irony.

Author: CPe 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Jackie said...
    Posted on Sep 02 2008 17:37 I have an old copy of the film somewhere in my collection. I would LOVE to have it transfered onto DVD but dont no where to begin looking. If anyone has any ideas please let me no
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  • Sebastian said...
    Posted on May 05 2008 01:11 Daniel, You wrote Sunshine can get on the internet, can you please forward me the wed-sit please, as I've tryed everywhere without success .
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  • Sebastian said...
    Posted on Apr 30 2008 01:50 Can someone please tell me where I can buy this movie Sunshine 1973, cast Cliff de young & cristina. DVD, your repley would be greatful. Thanks Sebastian.
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  • daniel sweeting said...
    Posted on Jan 22 2008 12:24 This movie is for sale on the internet site called i offer
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  • sunshinelady said...
    Posted on Oct 31 2007 22:01 yeah I know what you mean I just bought a copy and it was un watchable grainy and the start was all over the place I only watched the two minutes that was enough for me I sent it back i know this movie inch by inch i grew up watching it and read the book 5 times and still cry dispite it is a true story of love courage dignity and music john denvers lady makes me bawl as I picture the scene of sam getting his first gig and singing lady to kate i love that scene when are they going to release it again and sunshine christmas as so many people want see it again I think it will be a sell out
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  • joan said...
    Posted on Aug 14 2007 08:21 I have been searching for this 1973 Film Sunshine for over 20years.Can anyone help.managed to get a copy from ebay but beware it was awful copy
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  • Kristan said...
    Posted on Jul 28 2007 23:47 Can anyone help me find this Classic on DVD.
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Cast & crew

Director: Joseph Sargent

Producer: George Eckstein

Cast: Cristina Raines, Cliff De Young, Meg Foster, Brenda Vaccaro, Billy Mumy, Corey Fischer full cast

Duration: 103 mins

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