Return of the Secaucus Seven **** (1980, Bruce MacDonald, Maggie Renzi, David Strathairn, Adam LeFevre, Maggie Cousineau, Gordon Clapp, Jean Passanante) – Classic Movie Review 13,113

Seven college buddies enjoy a weekend reunion 10 years on at the New Hampshire home of teachers Mike (Bruce MacDonald) and Katie (Maggie Renzi), in John Sayles’s 1980 directorial debut film Return of the Secaucus Seven.

Writer/ director John Sayles’s 1980 American independent drama film Return of the Secaucus Seven stars Bruce MacDonald, Maggie Renzi, Adam LeFevre, Maggie Cousineau, Gordon Clapp, Jean Passanante, Karen Trott, Mark Arnott, David Strathairn, and John Sayles.

Seven college buddies who were arrested for radicalism in the 1960s enjoy a weekend reunion 10 years on at the New Hampshire home of teachers Mike (Bruce MacDonald) and Katie (Maggie Renzi). But a break-up between two of the friends causes a ripple effect among the group.

Though it is only his debut film as writer-director, this distinguished, influential and thoroughly enjoyable little movie proved to be one of John Sayles’ best films.

Sayles’ penetrating, resonant script is a gem and his own acting performance as Howie is expert, a standout in a fine ensemble.

Return of the Secaucus 7 was added to the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as culturally, historically or aesthetically significant in 1997.

To fund Return of the Secaucus 7, Sayles used $30,000 he earned writing scripts for Roger Corman. To cut costs and corners, he set the film in a large house, avoiding any travel to or having to get permits for locations. He set the story over a three-day weekend for few costume changes, and made his characters his own age so he could cast himself and his friends.

Matewan (1987) is still probably Sayles’s best, most highly regarded film to date, but it failed at the box office. However, in 2023, the film was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry.

Return of the Secaucus Seven is directed by John Sayles, runs 110 minutes, is made by Salsipuedes Productions, is released by Libra Films, is written by John Sayles, is shot by Austin De Besche, is produced by Jeffrey Nelson and William Aydelott, and scored by Mason Daring.

Release date: September 5, 1980 (US).

Budget: $60,000. Box office: $2 million.

Maggie Renzi is John Sayles’s long-time companion and collaborator, though they are not married. They met as students at Williams College and Renzi has produced most of Sayles’s films since Lianna (1983).

The cast are Bruce MacDonald as Mike Donnelly, Maggie Renzi as Katie Sipriano, Adam LeFevre as J.T, Maggie Cousineau as Frances Carlson, Gordon Clapp as Chip Hollister, Jean Passanante as Irene Rosenblum, Karen Trott as Maura Tolliver, Mark Arnott as Jeff Andrews, David Strathairn as Ron Desjardins, John Sayles as Howie, Marisa Smith as Carol, Amy Schewel as Lacey Summers, Carolyn Brooks as Meg, Eric Forsythe as Captain, and Nancy Mette as Lee.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,113

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