Echoes of a Summer ** (1976, Jodie Foster, Richard Harris, Lois Nettleton, Geraldine Fitzgerald, William Windom, Brad Savage) – Classic Movie Review 12,901

Jodie Foster stars as little 11-year-old Deirdre Striden, who is dying of heart disease, in the sad 1976 family drama film Echoes of a Summer. Richard Harris and Lois Nettleton play her desperate parents.

Director Don Taylor’s 1976 Canadian-American family drama film Echoes of a Summer stars Jodie Foster, Richard Harris, Lois Nettleton, Geraldine Fitzgerald, William Windom and Brad Savage.

Jodie Foster stars as little 11-year-old Deirdre Striden, who is dying of heart disease and spends her last days with desperate mom and dad (Richard Harris, Lois Nettleton) in Nova Scotia, showing them they way ahead. She strikes up a meaningful friendship with her nine-year-old neighbour Philip (Brad Savage)

You might have hoped the cinema would have left the disease of the week to TV, especially with this tricky and potentially treacly subject, but this wallowing film – more depressing than heartwarming – does at least boast a welcome and well-handled early Jodie appearance. And Harris, Nettleton, Geraldine Fitzgerald, William Windom and Brad Savage are commendable, too, even if Harris was dissatisfied with both the writer and director.

It is based on the play Isle of Children by Robert L Joseph, who also adapted the screenplay. Writer-producer Robert L Joseph has a cameo as the chemist.

Release date: April 1976.

Running time: 99 minutes.

The cast are Jodie Foster as Deirdre Striden, Richard Harris as Eugene Striden, Lois Nettleton as Ruth Striden, Geraldine Fitzgerald as Sara, William Windom as Dr Hallet, Brad Savage as Philip, and Robert L Joseph as the chemist.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 12,901

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