Resurrection (1980)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(1,043 ratings)

Ellen Burstyn plays Edna McCauley, the wife of a man (Jeffrey DeMunn) who is killed in an auto crash. Edna herself survives, but not before enduring an "out of body" experience. Crippled in the accident, Edna heads to her hometown in Kansas to recuperate. There she discovers that she has the power… More Ellen Burstyn plays Edna McCauley, the wife of a man (Jeffrey DeMunn) who is killed in an auto crash. Edna herself survives, but not before enduring an "out of body" experience. Crippled in the accident, Edna heads to her hometown in Kansas to recuperate. There she discovers that she has the power to heal people, presumably a byproduct of her brief trip into the beyond. She accepts her gift, but resists the notion that she has been blessed with divine powers. On the other hand, her young lover (Sam Shepard) believes that she is the embodiment of Jesus Christ. It is his method of proving his hypothesis that brings the film to its startling conclusion. Both Ellen Burstyn and Eva Le Gallienne (as Burstyn's grandmother) were nominated for Academy Awards. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Daniel Petrie
Genres: Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Sep 6, 1980 Wide
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Screendaily
This rural tale is beuatifully acted by Ellen Burstyn and other, but its narrative is incoherent, trying to fuse new feminist ideas with sentimental conventions about the healing power of love.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Resurrection is an extraordinary film about a healer and the power of love.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

one of ellen burstyn's very best performances and an interesting premise. Eva Le Gallienne does a beautiful job as the grandmother.

Cast

            Ellen Burstyn as Edna McCauley

            Sam Shepard as Cal Carpenter

            Richard Farnsworth as Esco

            Roberts Blossom as John Harper

            Clifford David as George

            Pamela Payton-Wright as Margaret

            Jeffrey DeMunn as Joe McCauley

            Eva Le Gallienne as Grandma Pearl

            Lois Smith as Kathy

            Madeleine Thornton-Sherwood as Ruth

            Richard Hamilton as Earl Carpenter

            Carlin Glynn as Suzy Kroll

            Lane Smith as Don

            Penelope Allen as Ellie

            Ebbe Roe Smith as Hank Peterson

            Allison Balson
            
            Bernard Behrens as Dr. Fisher

            James Blendick as 1st Scientist

            Harvey Christiansen as Ned

            Lou Fant as Harvey

            Jessie Lee Fulton as Becky

            David Haney as Jack Coldren

            James N. Harrell as Doc Lurkin

            Jennifer McAllister as Joanie

            Shane Sinutko as Skateboard Boy

            George Sperdakos as Dr. Hankins

            Carol Williard as Nurse

            William D. Wittliff as Man in Bar

            John Tillinger as Dr. Herron

            Vernon Weddle as 2nd Scientist

            Tom Taylor as Clyde

            Edith Mills as Aunt Carrie

            Ralph Roberts as Buck
See full cast