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Touched by Love

  • 1980
  • PG
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
555
YOUR RATING
Touched by Love (1980)
Drama

A young nurse becomes determined to reach an unresponsive teenage cerebral palsy patient by encouraging her to write to her favorite rock singer, Elvis Presley.A young nurse becomes determined to reach an unresponsive teenage cerebral palsy patient by encouraging her to write to her favorite rock singer, Elvis Presley.A young nurse becomes determined to reach an unresponsive teenage cerebral palsy patient by encouraging her to write to her favorite rock singer, Elvis Presley.

  • Director
    • Gus Trikonis
  • Writers
    • Lena Canada
    • Hesper Anderson
  • Stars
    • Deborah Raffin
    • Diane Lane
    • Michael Learned
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    555
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Gus Trikonis
    • Writers
      • Lena Canada
      • Hesper Anderson
    • Stars
      • Deborah Raffin
      • Diane Lane
      • Michael Learned
    • 18User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Photos20

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Deborah Raffin
    Deborah Raffin
    • Lena Canada
    Diane Lane
    Diane Lane
    • Karen
    Michael Learned
    Michael Learned
    • Dr. Bell
    John Amos
    John Amos
    • Tony
    Cristina Raines
    Cristina Raines
    • Amy
    Mary Wickes
    Mary Wickes
    • Margaret
    Clu Gulager
    Clu Gulager
    • Don Fielder
    Twyla-Dawn Vokins
    • Monica
    • (as Twyla Volkins)
    Clive Shalom
    • Topper - Child
    Jason Bates
    • Child
    Joseph John Bondok
    • Child
    Beverly Chapman
    • Child
    Jennifer Collins
    • Child
    Cathy Corns
    • Child
    Rhonda De Jong
    • Child
    Hanif Mawji
    • Child
    Robbie Olisoff
    • Child
    Melissa Quigg
    • Child
    • Director
      • Gus Trikonis
    • Writers
      • Lena Canada
      • Hesper Anderson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    6.5555
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    Featured reviews

    6michaelRokeefe

    A gripping story of a young girl's devotion to her hero.

    This is a touching true story and fine adaption of Lena Canada's book about a lonely handicapped girl(Diane Lane) and her devotion to a very special person. With the help from a social worker(Deborah Raffin), the girl begins writing letters to her hero and the return correspondence transforms her dying days. Her special pen pal is none other than Elvis Presley.

    For Elvis fans there is vintage TV footage and Elvis music throughout. Miss Lane is outstanding and warms the heart. This story is sad, uplifting and hopeful. You'll feel good about not passing this one up. Also in the cast are Michael Learned, Clu Gulager and John Amos.

    Note: This movie is also known as TO ELVIS, WITH LOVE.
    9cindyjmd

    When I was little, I absolutely loved this movie. It was so...

    When I was little, I absolutely loved this movie. It was so touching. I was born in 1973, so I watched this when I was pretty young. I think it was on HBO. Anyway, I loved Elvis and I loved this movie. My grandmother loved Elvis and I looked up to grandma. Diane Lane is wonderful in it, I also adored another one of her younger actress movies: A Little Romance. So, I've always thought she was a great actress. I wish this movie would come out on DVD! I'm dying to see it again. Maybe they have it on VHS at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, I'll have to check into that. I wonder if I'll still need a box of tissues to watch it! Enjoy.
    10tytyler77

    The first time I ever saw Diane Lane

    I remember watching this movie as well on HBO a million times. I was stunned by Diane Lane's performance. I had never heard of her so I actually thought she was a handicapped actress. This is one of those rare movies that goes straight to the heart. I'm a guy and I loved it even as a teenager. I guess having four sisters made a little sensitive to movies like this one. This is the story of a young woman who had the power to touch the lives of every person that got to know her. Even though she was in a wheelchair, nothing could contain her soaring spirit. The relationship between Diane Lane and Deborah Raffin is very touching. Raffin's character is there to help Lane, but it seems that Karen had more of an impact on the life of her caretaker. If you are a fan of Elvis Presley, this is the movie for you even though it's not an Elvis movie. You'll just have to see it to know what I'm talking about. Great story, great performances, and lots of emotion make "Touched By Love" a must see again and again. And I thought I was the only person whose seen this movie. I'm glad to know there is at least one other.
    9Katzi428

    This movie was WONDERFUL!

    I first saw this movie as an 11 year old. And I absolutely loved it! It's one of those movies that you just can't forget. I saw it again on cable late one night last year but it was too late to tape it. So I'm thinking seriously of buying the tape. Deborah Raffin did a fabulous job as the compassionate caretaker Lena Canada. Diane Lane also did an excellent job playing Karen,the handicapped teenager. If you have a chance & it's in a videotape store, see it!
    8nigel77

    Emotionally moving film!

    Touched By Love was based on nurse Lena Canada's equally moving book, To Elvis, With Love. While the film indicates Elvis Inc. was involved, this was the name of the production company registered while it was filmed - it was not the official Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) organisation responsible for marketing Elvis and running Graceland. An official DVD/Bluray release of this positive and emotionally heart-rending film is long overdue.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Deborah Raffin was nominated for both a Best Actress award and a Worst Actress award for playing the same lead role in this picture. This was at the Golden Globe and the Golden Raspberry award systems respectively.
    • Quotes

      Monica: What do you want for Christmas?

      Karen: Nothing. I have everything I want.

    • Crazy credits
      (Closing dedication) This film is dedicated to Lena for her gift of love and conviction... To Karen for courage and determination... And, above all, to all the Karens everywhere who may need a friend to say "I care"... a friend like you.
    • Connections
      Featured in Vintage Video: A Chronological 80's Film Rewatch Podcast: Touched by Love (1980) (2020)
    • Soundtracks
      Love Me Tender
      Written by Ken Darby (uncredited), Vera Matson, Elvis Presley

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Touched by Love?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 1987 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • To Elvis, with Love
    • Filming locations
      • Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Rastar Films
      • Dove
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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