The movie was shot in Chagrin Falls and Hudson, Ohio which is outside of Cleveland back in 1977. I was fortunate enough to buy a VHS tape of it probably 15 years ago in a Mentor Ohio video store. It is a true Christmas classic.
I was so pleased to see this movie on the gospel network this past Christmas 2008. It is a classic. I wished they would have showed the second one as well but I was thankful just to see the first one.
Ed Asner is excellent here as the family patriarch. It's remarkable how convincingly he plays 38 year old Lawrence Pressman's father when at the time Asner was himself only about 48.
You can watch it on AOL Video. The whole movie is there except, sadly, it cuts out 16 minutes before the end. This scene is the one that always makes me cry.
Agreed that this is truly a classic ... It has been 30 years since we first (and last) saw it. My wife and I have both searched for a 'download' possibility for the past five years but none has been put up yet by someone who has a copy of it. Maybe someday ... we think it would become a standard for many of us who are 'Retired Baby-Boomers' from that era.
It debuted in 1977 as an annual ABC "Movie of the Week" Christmas presentation. Later, most of the cast returned for the inferior (but still top quality) "The Gathering II" for NBC. The original "The Gathering" garnered an Emmy Award for Best Dramatic Special Presentation, shoving aside the dramatic special king of the time, "The Hallmark Hall of Fame."
Barbera also recruited composer John Barry, best known for the 007 theme for "Dr. No" (and scoring Bond films from "From Russia With Love" to "The Living Daylights"), and his Oscar-winning score and song for "Born Free." It starred "MTM's" Ed Asner and Broadway star Maureen Stapleton. Among the young talent were Gregory Harrison ("Trapper John, M.D."), Rebecca Balding ("Soap", "Charmed"), Stephanie Zimbalist ("Remington Steele") and Veronica Hamill ("Hill Street Blues").
This was the first-ever dramatic film from William Hanna and Joseph Barberayes, those same great cartoon-makers (Tom & Jerry, Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, etc.). Joe Barbera did it with class with a top-notch cast from stage and film, bringing many to national exposure for the first time. "The Gathering" was directed by young Randal Kleiser ("Grease") and was written by "Golden Age of Television" writer James Poe.
This is a wonderful movie. It never fails to lift my spirits. Exceptional in every way. The producers of this film are missing the boat. They have a potential It's A Wonderful Life on their hands and they are ignoring it. Thankfully, I had a VCR during the 80's and recorded it. It has been a Christmas tradition every year since. This scene in which Gregory Harrison is reunited with his family is truly heart warming. That smile on John Randolph's face says it all. This movie needs to be seen!
This is my all time favorite Christmas movie, although it's a bittersweet movie the Christmas scences take me back to my childhood and remind me of those Christmases spent at my grandmother's. I sure wish somebody would post the whole movie. Thanks for this snippet.
it's Bud!
johntellmewhy 2 months ago
BEST Xmas movie of all time!
guitargod8 1 year ago
where do I find this video?
tryan06 2 years ago
@tryan06 it's finally on dvd. check amazon
24bobbyd 1 year ago
The Gathering and the Gathering II is coming on tomorrow morning, December 5, 2009 at 9 am and 11 am on the Gospel Music Channel. Enjoy!
Blessthenameofjesus 2 years ago
The movie was shot in Chagrin Falls and Hudson, Ohio which is outside of Cleveland back in 1977. I was fortunate enough to buy a VHS tape of it probably 15 years ago in a Mentor Ohio video store. It is a true Christmas classic.
officelady1 2 years ago
I loved this movie! Put up the rest, please!
fourthgirl 2 years ago
Can you post more.. This is al time Christmas Classic
Goodguy628 2 years ago
My favorite Christmas movie after all these years. I'm so glad to have it on VHS. There was talk of a DVD release, but I don't think it's happened.
GeorgiaPat 2 years ago
Comment removed
MarellichiS 2 years ago
I was so pleased to see this movie on the gospel network this past Christmas 2008. It is a classic. I wished they would have showed the second one as well but I was thankful just to see the first one.
Blessthenameofjesus 2 years ago
Ed Asner is excellent here as the family patriarch. It's remarkable how convincingly he plays 38 year old Lawrence Pressman's father when at the time Asner was himself only about 48.
gaIIery 3 years ago
Thanks for posting this.
I've been looking for them to show this on TV and alas it isn't on any schedule AGAIN this year. Too bad. It's a real treasure.
fjcnlr 3 years ago
You can watch it on AOL Video. The whole movie is there except, sadly, it cuts out 16 minutes before the end. This scene is the one that always makes me cry.
Andrea2354 3 years ago
Agreed that this is truly a classic ... It has been 30 years since we first (and last) saw it. My wife and I have both searched for a 'download' possibility for the past five years but none has been put up yet by someone who has a copy of it. Maybe someday ... we think it would become a standard for many of us who are 'Retired Baby-Boomers' from that era.
WeldonVillage 3 years ago
It debuted in 1977 as an annual ABC "Movie of the Week" Christmas presentation. Later, most of the cast returned for the inferior (but still top quality) "The Gathering II" for NBC. The original "The Gathering" garnered an Emmy Award for Best Dramatic Special Presentation, shoving aside the dramatic special king of the time, "The Hallmark Hall of Fame."
Noveltooner 3 years ago
Barbera also recruited composer John Barry, best known for the 007 theme for "Dr. No" (and scoring Bond films from "From Russia With Love" to "The Living Daylights"), and his Oscar-winning score and song for "Born Free." It starred "MTM's" Ed Asner and Broadway star Maureen Stapleton. Among the young talent were Gregory Harrison ("Trapper John, M.D."), Rebecca Balding ("Soap", "Charmed"), Stephanie Zimbalist ("Remington Steele") and Veronica Hamill ("Hill Street Blues").
Noveltooner 3 years ago
This was the first-ever dramatic film from William Hanna and Joseph Barberayes, those same great cartoon-makers (Tom & Jerry, Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, etc.). Joe Barbera did it with class with a top-notch cast from stage and film, bringing many to national exposure for the first time. "The Gathering" was directed by young Randal Kleiser ("Grease") and was written by "Golden Age of Television" writer James Poe.
Noveltooner 3 years ago
Great Movie, and youre right, this should not be ignored as a classic.
Thetwoofus02 3 years ago
This is a wonderful movie. It never fails to lift my spirits. Exceptional in every way. The producers of this film are missing the boat. They have a potential It's A Wonderful Life on their hands and they are ignoring it. Thankfully, I had a VCR during the 80's and recorded it. It has been a Christmas tradition every year since. This scene in which Gregory Harrison is reunited with his family is truly heart warming. That smile on John Randolph's face says it all. This movie needs to be seen!
zacharyj67 3 years ago
This is my all time favorite Christmas movie, although it's a bittersweet movie the Christmas scences take me back to my childhood and remind me of those Christmases spent at my grandmother's. I sure wish somebody would post the whole movie. Thanks for this snippet.
Blessthenameofjesus 3 years ago