Sunshine (1973 TV Movie) User Reviews

Hello Fellow "Sunshine" Lovers!

[ErnieSegarra · 9/10 · 17 January 2005]

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.

A story about life, love and freedom

[marpetrescu91 · 9/10 · 28 August 2005]

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!

Please tell me I can get this wonderful movie on DVD

[hez-10 · 10/10 · 21 October 2005]

I saw this movie when I was a teenager and I absolutely loved it. I remember that I cried like a baby. Like so many others, I only saw it once, and I have since scoured everywhere looking for a personal copy to keep. I have just watched Love Story with my daughter, and I was telling her how good "Sunshine" was, compared to Love story. We both want to see it now, me because I loved it so much originally, and her because I've told her about how great it is, and how sad it is, and how its the type of movie that never leaves you, once you've seen it, it just touches you. I recall seeing it with a boyfriend in Perth, and we both walked out of the cinema crying our eyes out. He was a very blokey (macho)man, very tough, and I think its the only time I ever saw him cry, not only over a movie, but over anything. I just want to see it again. If anyone knows where I can get a copy, please put a message here. I will be eternally grateful. If anyone reading this has the power to get it on to DVD.... please do so. I imagine there are a lot of us out there who are waiting to see this fabulous movie again.

excellently filmed, perfect casting

[fortier-1 · 10/10 · 17 July 2004]

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.

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

[blonde2046 · 10/10 · 15 September 2005]

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.

From the heart, of the heart, in the heart !

[noccos · 10/10 · 22 June 2000]

I saw this movie as a young "hippie" woman and just loved it. It captured the times of 1973 perfectly. The subject matter, young love, family, illness, free spirits were right on. The photography was beautiful as well as the John Denver music, which was at the height of his popularity. I felt the lead character to be very brave. I now have a stepdaughter the same age I was when I first saw this movie and I only wish she could view it too. Who says great movies are not written for television?

I've found it!!

[mikellis · 26 April 2004]

I also saw Sunshine only once, in the early 70's, and was deeply affected by it. I remember the movie as very simple, but very powerful. The night I saw it was without doubt the MOST memorable night of my life. I say that because at that age (18) all things seemed possible, and the movie allowed me to express emotions and feeling that had been in the back of my mind for years. Feelings like love, unadulterated by the pressures of society. I'm 30 years older now and it amazes me that even today I hold the memories dear. I've been lately thinking About my life's time All the things I've done And how it's been And so I found this message board. Mike

Not quite like I remembered

[fivefids · 6/10 · 1 October 2005]

I remember seeing this movie the first time it aired in 1973. I actually watched it with my parents who did not like hippies at all yet they were quite moved by this story. I remember discussing it with friends at school and all the young girls commenting on how they cried at the end. Most of us made sure we saw it again when it was rebroadcast a few months later. The movie made such a splash that Cliff Deyoung actually performed "My Sweet Lady" on the Midnight Special around that time. When I learned of IMDb in the 90s, I was surfing around and happened upon a reference to this movie and recalled it and what it meant in 1973/74. For several years I tried finding it so I could see it again. I eventually found a copy on ebay and bought it. I watched it again in June 2005 and it just didn't hold up. It was not at all like I remembered. The story was not as moving as I remembered; the interaction between characters was not what I remembered. Seems Sam and Kate were always fighting, the harmony I thought I remembered wasn't there between them. As with many fond memories of another time, perhaps they're best left as memories. The recent viewing of this movie was quite a disappointment.

cancer on TV

[swimfin · 8/10 · 19 August 2005]

I have been haunted by this movie ever since I saw it at age 8. The baby sitter let me stay up with her and I was forever saddened by this movie. It wasn't until this night ( 8/19/05 ) that I decided to see if there was any information on this movie. I heard the John Denver song : "Sunshine on My Shoulders" and just had to look it up. I always wondered what happened in this story. I was too young to remember and I don't think it has been shown again on television. I'm not sure how many other people my age saw this movie, but it sure made an impact on me at the young age of eight years old. My parents were not too pleased when they came home to find me watching this real life sad story. I now realize it was the first time I ever heard of this terrible thing called cancer. Unfortunately, I was soon to see the very real effects of this disease.

Life's mysteries

[GBIRD · 10/10 · 24 June 2000]

"Sunshine" is a rare piece of art. Based on a true story, it contains a ton of emotion. Produced in 1973, I caught it one night on TV and left it in the back of my mind. In 1988 I began to live this story right down to Christina Raines similarity to my wife and the taffy colored cat. The only difference was that our love held us together ...she, and the cat, passed on in 1994. Recently I saw an old battered copy of "Sunshine" and how close this "movie" is to the truth. I highly recommend this film as one of the greatest attempts at understanding the love and sadness in life, what it is like to die, and the legacy it leaves in the heart. It is unfortunate that it is not available on VHS (Hello, Amazon.com) or shown more on TV. This is the compassionate type of media our society and civilization needs so badly to survive.

She didn't want to live without a leg, so she left her child without a mother.

[qtfalco · 1/10 · 31 March 2022]

I watched this as a child, and even then I realized how selfish she was. If she had her leg amputated, she would have lived. But she decided to die of cancer instead. She left her child without a mother.

a movie about a woman with cancer who leaves a tape recorded diary for her young daughter

[junk-217 · 10/10 · 22 June 2004]

this movie is filled with the songs of john denver, hence the name "sunshine".

kate is dying of cancer and doesn't want to take medication or chemo to prolong her life. she is an earth mother and loves the mountains.

this movie was based on a true story.

she leaves behind a tape recorded diary for her daughter of things she wants her to know about as she's growing up.

her husband sam is a struggling musician and plays the guitar.

it has romance, tears, and humor.

there was a short lived t.v. series based on this movie and a sequel called "sunshine Christmas".

Oh PLEASE release Sunshine (1973) on DVD.... PLEASE!!!!

[boosah51 · 10/10 · 12 October 2006]

AND the soundtrack CD too!!!! I watched this BEAUTIFUL movie twice at the Cinema. It has NEVER been on TV here, that I know of.... I used to have the LP record soundtrack but 'lost' it years ago before going overseas (Grrrrr)

How do we go about getting a petition or whatever for the film company to release a DVD and CD soundtrack???? Another I'd buy five (5) copies for sure... one for each of my three daughters, (only one was born when the movie was made) and keep two for myself!!!

I too discovered John Denver through this movie, but MUCH preferred Cliff De Young singing the Sunshine songs!

Sunshine 1973 Made for TV Movie

[gina104220 · 10/10 · 4 November 2006]

Sunshine is my all time favorite movie in the entire world.I also have been looking for The Sunshine Years TV Series that aired as Sunshine for half a season. I have been searching for years and years. I have the DVD sunshine, I have the DVD Sunshine Christmas.. I have all three Norma Klein books ( Sunshine, Sunshine Christmas and The Sunshine Years)... I have the Soundtrack on Cassette and Cd and LP.. I am desperate to see the TV series again... I watched it as a kid and remember every episode... Also there was a movie called My Sweet Lady Sunshine part 11, It was shown in London. I have desperately been trying to find a copy of that... Have you had any luck? Maybe we can work together.. Please write me at [e-mail] Gina from N.Y.

Only saw this film once and never forgot it

[kathleenblake · 10/10 · 15 August 2017]

I only saw this film one time on television in the 1970's. I had just had my son and I was so inspired by this story that I immediately began a journal to him and over the years I had three more children and weekly would add more and more to the journal. A few years ago as a Christmas gift to them, I made copies of my journal about them and gave the journal to each of them so they could read what I had written when they were growing up. But enough about me...this film has stayed with me all these years, it is one of the most beautiful and touching stories and I wish it was available to view now. If you find it offered somewhere, I highly recommend it.

Kindred Souls

[sunshineangel822 · 10/10 · 11 November 2005]

Wow, I can't believe I found so many others who love this movie. Your stories all sound similar. It made me tear up to read these boards. This above all other movies made a profound impact on my life at twelve, and constantly ever since. I have watched and re-watched this movie over the years, and can't believe I'm old enough to relate to Kate as her mother now! I too wish I could find the TV shows, and maybe if we dig, we can get someone to release them. I emailed the Museum of Television and Radio to ask them. WHat we need to do is find out who owns the RIGHTS to the TV shows, and write to them. My hope is that some writer, maybe someone from the L.A. Times where Jaquelyn Helton's story appeared, or Carol Sobieski (sp?) would be interested in contacting Jennifer Helton (?) about her life, and her mom. I deeply just want to let that woman, who is only about 8 years younger than me, know that her mother had a deep and profound effect on my entire life! She seems to have touched many more people than just her daughter. Peace, Jill S.

Sunshine, It's a Great Movie

[dawny-3 · 6 March 1999]

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.

Sweet love story @ appreciating nature, life, John Denver music

[elena-81 · 9/10 · 1 March 2006]

I saw this wonderful movie in the early 70's with my best friend Sally at the age of 20. We cried so hard! Through it we discovered John Denver's music and it influenced us deeply in terms of appreciating nature, love and life. Sadly, several years later, a close friend of ours, Kathy, then lived the story, so similar it is haunting, she died in 1979. Her daughter is now pregnant (due late 3/2K6) and so wishing her mother was with us to enjoy and experience her grandchild. I think of this movie quite often, the characters, the story, the lessons, the beauty. It affected me deeply and probably always will. I was touched to read so many others with such similar reactions. Hearing John Denver music always reminds me of it. There is a line in his song, "Home Again" in which he sings "Your mother called last Friday, "Sunshine" made her cry" that I am pretty sure refers to the movie. I have no idea if the movie would hold up to my profound memories of it but I would love to see it, own a copy. I just emailed [e-mail] and am waiting for an answer to see if the movie can be obtained. Has anyone found it? I would love information! I don't think they make them quite like this anymore.

A wonderful film with a moving soundtrack

[ashant2 · 8/10 · 28 October 2005]

This film made a huge impact on me when I saw it as a child. The relationship between the two protagonists was realistically portrayed and helped me have a more mature attitude to love and the sacrifices it may involve, as I was growing up. The beautiful songs 'Sunshine on my Shoulders' and 'My Sweet Lady' (sung by John Denver) stayed with me long after the film vanished off circuit. Many images from the film persist in my memory too. It was an authentic representation of the effect of a terminal disease on loved ones, and although a tear-jerker, ended with hope. I also learned that cats can sense death - a useful fact I guess.

If this one doesn't leave you in tears, you're too cold-blooded to be running around loose!

[gullywumpus · 10/10 · 25 May 2009]

I'm a guy. I first saw this film in bar full of bikers. And STILL I cried! I've only seen it one more time since then, and that's not nearly enough. Look, let's start a letter-writing campaign to TNT or TCM or SOMEBODY to broadcast this movie again. It's a crime to let it fade away into obscurity! Seriously, we need to get organized about this. We should choose a cable channel, find out exactly who schedules the programming, and bombard that person or those persons with hundreds of hard copy letters, not e-mails. Address them by name, be polite, make very sure how much this means to you, and convince them that this film can attract a huge cult following. This is a movie for future generations, not just the 70s generation! Don't you want to be able to share this with your kids and your grand kids? Let's get started. We need to save this film.

Movie Sunshine

[DAWNDDMACK · 10/10 · 24 April 2005]

I saw this movie as a young child and I cried, but I love that movie. That movie had such an impact on me. I think it did on everyone who watched it. I had no idea that little Carrie Ingalls played Jill in that movie. Although I don't think that I have seen this movie since 1973. I have looked at the library and the video stores. I just cannot seem to find it anywhere. I would love to see it again. Maybe someone can help me find it. Please let me know. I would appreciate all the information that anyone has. Any ideas I welcome them. I can be emailed with the info. Any idea where I can find it? I have looked for that and Go Ask Alice. Please email [e-mail]

'Sunshine'! Once seen, never forgotten!

[DennieB · 10/10 · 4 April 2009]

I saw this movie on TV in the 70's and it had a tremendous impact on me. It was brilliantly acted and the chemistry between Christina Raines and Cliff De Young made their on-screen relationship very convincing and very tender. A real tear-jerker! I bought John Denver's album just for the songs 'Lady' and 'Sunshine' which featured in the movie and were used in a very poignant way to show the wonderful love that Cliff De Young's character had for his wife. Her smile as he sang 'Lady' was captivating! I can see it now in my mind after all these years. My sister and I recorded ourselves singing 'Sunshine' and 'Lady' for fun after seeing the movie only to discover just weeks later that she too had a terminal illness and died very soon after. I still have the audio cassette, which is a constant reminder to me of the film. I've tried to find this movie on video or DVD but to no avail. How can we get someone to put this excellent movie onto DVD? It needs to be 'out there' or at least repeated on TV or Sky so we can record it! One of the most memorable little movies I've ever seen.

Love the movie Sunshine and would love to see it again.

[bahilson · 9/10 · 12 July 2000]

I have seen Sunshine a few times and loved it each one of them. I wish the movie would be put out on video. I would certainly buy this one so I could view it often. Hopefully it will appear on TV again soon. It's a great movie .... maybe a little bit of a tear jerker, but good.

Wow, I can't believe it!

[sema-14 · 10/10 · 12 June 2009]

I have also been looking for the movie "Sunshine" for years. Thank-you so much for the link to the site where I have just ordered my DVD of this awesome movie! I saw this movie when I was 16 years old in a theatre back home in Saskatchewan and have never forgotten it! I started my search a few years ago, inquiring at movie rental joints and department stores, with no luck! I was reminded of the movie each time I listened to John Denver song (he also happens to be my favorite singer)and also could remember that the young dark haired lady that was dying of cancer. It drove me crazy as I was anxious to watch it again!

I can hardly wait to get my movie and watch it again!!! Thank-you so much, I am so grateful to YouTube, cause that is where my search started tonight and the rest is history!!! Best day, ever!