| Lowest Recommended Age: | High School |
| MPAA Rating: | NR |
| Profanity: | None |
| Nudity/Sex: | Mild references |
| Alcohol/Drugs: | Drinking |
| Violence/Scariness: | Tense family confrontations |
| Diversity Issues: | None |
| Movie Release Date: | 1977 |
| DVD Release Date: | December 15, 2009 |
I’m thrilled that one of my favorite Christmas movies is available on DVD for the first time from Warner Brothers. It is the Emmy-award winning The Gathering and it stars Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton as the long-separated parents of adult children. He is a wealthy man who has devoted his life to his business. He asks her for help in bringing the family together for Christmas because he has learned that he is dying and this will be his last chance to see them. It has been digitally re-mastered for this DVD edition. The sequel, “Gathering II,” is also available on DVD but has not been re-mastered.
I am very fond of these holiday family gathering drama with old tensions and insecurities revived as family members gather for the holidays and this is one of the best. Every member of the family has some issue to resolve and the performances are exceptional, especially the brilliant Stapleton, who shows us her character’s strength and vulnerability. This is a bittersweet classic of the season.
posted December 14, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Wow, thanks for the tip! I’ve looked for this every year for my wife who’s a huge fan of this movie. You see so many crappy Christmas videos. This one is long overdue.
posted December 15, 2009 at 9:52 am
I’m so glad you share my excitement about this one, Big Dave!
posted December 18, 2009 at 10:54 am
This is one of my all time favourite films! We happened on it one Christmas eve while stationed in Germany and cried like babies. A must see.
posted December 18, 2009 at 11:36 am
I’m thrilled to hear from another fan of this wonderful film and I know your comments will inspire others to watch it. Thanks so much!
posted December 23, 2009 at 6:22 pm
This is a family favorite! I’ve been all over town trying to buy it for my mom for x-mas. Who sells it?
posted December 23, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Thanks, Nancy! You can buy it here: http://www.wbshop.com/Gathering-The-Remastered/1000124851,default,pd.html
posted December 24, 2009 at 9:57 pm
What is the poem he recites to the boys?
posted January 21, 2010 at 2:33 pm
The poem that Adam Thornton recites to the boys is “Christmas in the Workhouse” by Rudyard Kipling. One note…..Maureen Stapleton and Ed Asner’s characters are long-separated, but they’re not divorced.
posted January 21, 2010 at 6:17 pm
You’re right, Dave! I’ll make the correction. And thanks for supplying the poem!