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Sunshine

  • TV Movie
  • 1973
  • G
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
703
YOUR RATING
Cliff De Young and Cristina Raines in Sunshine (1973)
BiographyDrama

When a young woman who is living in the woods with her struggling-musician husband and her very young daughter discovers that she has terminal cancer, she begins to tape-record a journal of ... Read allWhen a young woman who is living in the woods with her struggling-musician husband and her very young daughter discovers that she has terminal cancer, she begins to tape-record a journal of the time she has left, hoping to leave something precious for her daughter.When a young woman who is living in the woods with her struggling-musician husband and her very young daughter discovers that she has terminal cancer, she begins to tape-record a journal of the time she has left, hoping to leave something precious for her daughter.

  • Director
    • Joseph Sargent
  • Writers
    • Carol Sobieski
    • Jacquelyn Helton
  • Stars
    • Cristina Raines
    • Cliff De Young
    • Meg Foster
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    703
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph Sargent
    • Writers
      • Carol Sobieski
      • Jacquelyn Helton
    • Stars
      • Cristina Raines
      • Cliff De Young
      • Meg Foster
    • 84User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos11

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    Top cast14

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    Cristina Raines
    Cristina Raines
    • Kate Hayden
    Cliff De Young
    Cliff De Young
    • Sam Hayden
    Meg Foster
    Meg Foster
    • Nora
    Brenda Vaccaro
    Brenda Vaccaro
    • Carol Gillman
    Bill Mumy
    Bill Mumy
    • Weaver
    Alan Fudge
    Alan Fudge
    • David
    Corey Fischer
    Corey Fischer
    • Givitz
    Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
    Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
    • Jill Hayden
    • (as Lindsay Green Bush)
    Sidney Greenbush
    Sidney Greenbush
    • Jill Hayden
    • (as Sydney Green Bush)
    James Hong
    James Hong
    • Dr. Wilde
    Sarah Valentini
    • Jill At 6 Months
    Bill Stout
    • Interviewer
    Noble Willingham
    Noble Willingham
    • Bartender
    Adrian Ricard
    • Nurse
    • Director
      • Joseph Sargent
    • Writers
      • Carol Sobieski
      • Jacquelyn Helton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews84

    7.8703
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    Featured reviews

    9ErnieSegarra

    Hello Fellow "Sunshine" Lovers!

    My name is Jo-Jo (Ernie is my husband but I can't seem to be able to erase his name from this site - just thought I would clarify that!). I first saw this movie in 1982 on TV in Scotland, which is where I grew up, and I immediately recognised it as the story of Lyn Helton, which I had read in a magazine at the library. I was totally moved all over again; I thought the movie was beautifully made, and the songs complimented it perfectly. I have only seen it repeated once since then,and that was several years ago while living here (in New York). I would love to have a DVD or video of it to share with the four children I now have. I cannot begin to imagine what Lyn/Kate went through as a mother of such a young child, having to face her own demise. I totally admire her for standing up to the doctors and not letting them bully her into doing something she felt was the wrong decision for her. After seeing the movie I was inspired to try to find out about the real Lyn and her family (we didn't have the internet then): I found out from the library that there was a trust established for her daughter Jennifer, and I sent them a donation but never heard back from them. Anyone out there know anything? Her daughter must be about 36 now, and I'm sure she is really proud of her mom. One final thought - I noticed how many people on the board mentioned having read the book by Norma Klein: did anyone else read the two sequels "Sunshine Christmas" and "The Sunshine Years" and realise that they were totally inconsistent?! It's like two different people picked up from where the first book/movie left off! It was a little bit disappointing. Maybe its time to do a remake of this film? It was nice to discover that there are all these other people out there who were so inspired by this film.
    9marpetrescu91

    A story about life, love and freedom

    I saw the movie right after its release, in Europe. I was so impressed that I went to see it again in theaters. I learned all the songs and I discovered John Denver through this movie. The moment I arrived in Canada I tried to look for a tape, later on for a DVD. I see that is rated 7.4 and I don't understand why that many bad movies with bad ratings are on the market but this isn't. Shirley is right. To release another movie with the same name and totally different subject is deceiving and not right. What happened? Why can't we find this movie in the stores or at blockbuster? I join all the voices that ask for this movie on DVD. In a world flooded with movies full of violence, bad language and hatred lets have "Sunshine" (1973) for a change!
    10blonde2046

    A true story about a mother dying and her love for her child

    I thought this movie was excellent.I have been looking for it for a long time, since it has not been on TV. It took place in a time that was a very much a part of my lifestyle in the 60's and 70's. The music and whole hippie atmosphere is very dear to my heart. I wish they would have made a sequel to sunshine Christmas which was done after sunshine and told the story about SAM and Jill. I was always curious as to what happened to both of them since this was a true story. It was a real love story and definitely a tearjerker but it also showed a mother's true love for her daughter. She knew she would die and wanted to leave her something. The journals were a brilliant idea and I think she showed a lot of courage to not do drugs or chemotheraphy so she could keep her head clear. She loved that little girl so much that she died earlier than she had to.
    dawny-3

    Sunshine, It's a Great Movie

    I really love the movie Sunshine. This movie can move you. It's a heart warming story. I love the John Denver songs being played in the movie. It had beautiful mountain scenes. It had a lot of love, caring and emotional feelings on the movie. It's one of my favorite movies. It's a movie you could see over and over again. I also like the Sunshine Christmas movie. It's also a heart warming movie. I just love these two movies so much. I only wish they could put it on video, so I could watch the two movies, when I want. Thank you, A big fan of the movies.
    10fortier-1

    excellently filmed, perfect casting

    It has been over thirty years since I first saw this movie and I still remember its effect on me. I bought the novel soon after and read it until the pages fell out. Someone asked me at a job interview who my most influential person and I said Jacquelyn Helton because she had the courage to do what she thought was right all the while knowing what the outcome would be. This movie is an inspiration to anyone who takes life for granted and makes you realize that no matter how long you live whether it is 20 years or a hundred, its not the length but the quality of that life, make it count, and above all else, love.

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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This 1973 film featured seven songs written (or co-written) by John Denver, including the song, "Sunshine on My Shoulders," for which the film is named. In 1974, Denver later released "Back Home Again", and he tips his hat to this film with a reference in the third verse: "And your mother called last Friday, 'Sunshine' made her cry." This film originally aired on the CBS network as an episode of the 'CBS Friday Night Movie' on November 9, 1973. When first aired, "Sunshine" was the most watched made-for-TV film in history.
    • Connections
      Followed by Sunshine (1975)
    • Soundtracks
      My Sweet Lady
      Words and Music: John Denver

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 9, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Солнечный свет
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 1m(121 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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