I remember watching them film Eric here in Port Orchard, Washington as a kid. It was so exciting to us all. After watching the movie I cried for days because we didn't know anything about the story and I was really touched by it. Great acting especially by John Savage. I think it's Claud Akins' best work! Love this movie and urge all to watch.
8 Reviews
It's such a shame that a story where everybody is extremely nice has to be so tragic.
mark.waltz30 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The 1970's gave movie viewers on both the little and big screens a lot of glimpses into what it was to face the prospect of dying at a young age. "Love Story", "Brian's Song", Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing" and "Sunshine", to mention a few. It's the story of Eric, played by Jon Savage, a champion soccer player who faces a short life due to leukemia. He's got the full support of his family, from his wonderfully loving mother, Patricia Neal (whose character in real life wrpte a book about her experience with losing her son), father Claude Akins, brother Mark Hamill, and a good support team of friends and other patience he meets in the hospital. Then there's the nurse (Sian Barbara Allen) who falls in love with him at first sight and becomes his strength and confidence in those dark days.
The emotions of the story are really felt through a beautiful theme song that is heard throughout. Savage is absolutely terrific as the sweet young man who grabs life as much as he can, and Neal is an absolute delight as his loving mother who seems to love the world as much as her own family. She exudes kindness with every word she says and every action she takes. It's also a testament to her survival from her stroke that makes this performance all the more touching. Hamill has a great scene when he breaks down over the fear of losing his brother, and Akins has some very warm moments as well. If only half of the families in the world would like this one, it would be a nicer place.
Special mention must also go to Katherine Squire as the elderly mrs. Harris who takes an interest in Savage even though she can't speak, and when she sees the medication that he's getting, silently realizes that he has leukemia. It's a very touching moment, reminding me of her as the loving mother of heroine Carolee Aldrich on "The Doctors". This is a movie that's overloaded with sentimentality, but it's that sentimentality that grabs you and keeps you. Speaking of grabbing, make sure you have kleenex nearby. You'll need those throughout.
The emotions of the story are really felt through a beautiful theme song that is heard throughout. Savage is absolutely terrific as the sweet young man who grabs life as much as he can, and Neal is an absolute delight as his loving mother who seems to love the world as much as her own family. She exudes kindness with every word she says and every action she takes. It's also a testament to her survival from her stroke that makes this performance all the more touching. Hamill has a great scene when he breaks down over the fear of losing his brother, and Akins has some very warm moments as well. If only half of the families in the world would like this one, it would be a nicer place.
Special mention must also go to Katherine Squire as the elderly mrs. Harris who takes an interest in Savage even though she can't speak, and when she sees the medication that he's getting, silently realizes that he has leukemia. It's a very touching moment, reminding me of her as the loving mother of heroine Carolee Aldrich on "The Doctors". This is a movie that's overloaded with sentimentality, but it's that sentimentality that grabs you and keeps you. Speaking of grabbing, make sure you have kleenex nearby. You'll need those throughout.
I loved the book as a kid...
nnancyads16 October 2020
I loved the book as a kid, and reordered it and read it again recently. I'm amazed at how many lines of it make up part of my internal dialogue even still today. The movie is good enough, but misses some of the fun and life described so keenly in the book. I do love seeing Lisa's daughter's comments, I really can't imagine.
I was sorry to read mom Doris' obituary, she was a splendid story-teller. If you haven't, read it the book, and take your time... this is a young man and family you'll want to get to know even more.
I was sorry to read mom Doris' obituary, she was a splendid story-teller. If you haven't, read it the book, and take your time... this is a young man and family you'll want to get to know even more.
Where can I find this movie?
SuzMiller11 December 2005
This movie is actually kind of special to me since I'm Eric's niece. I never actually met him before he died since I'm Lisa Lund's daughter, and she was only 15 then. It's weird to have a family with a famous side. Sometimes when I remember that Mark Hamil (or Luke Skywalker!!) played my living uncle Mark in that movie, it's so awesome its hard to believe. I haven't had the chance to see this movie since it came out some 30 years ago, and I don't know where to find it. I wish I could find it soon. I have read the book, and obviously know the story from first hand witnesses, but it'd be cool to see the televised version some day.
gotta see this movie
shamokinduck3 July 2003
No matter how old you are, this movie will stay with you forever, it is a true touching story of one kids fight for life. If i ever get a terminal illness may i have as much strenth & coiurage as Eric did. Please watch this movie.
Dear Eric's niece
Shootingdirtypool10 March 2019
I think the entire movie is available on YouTube, though in several different parts. I love this movie. John Savage was superb in the title role (just a few years before he would break wide open in "The Deer Hunter") and my mom still thinks Mark Hamill is the most beautiful young man she has ever seen. Dave Grusin, who wrote the fine score, was eventually honored with the Oscar for best original score for "The Milagro Beanfield War." I hope you finally get to see this wonderful movie about your brave relative!
I was named after the movie
ericsavage25 December 2023
My parents told me a stork's tale when I was young that they went to see a movie called Eric at the cinema, and that's where I got my name. It was only when I found the movie on IMDb that I finally believed them. Incredibly, the main actor is John Savage, and my full name is Eric John Savage, with the first-born being named John as a long-term custom in the Savage family since medieval times.
I found the movie on YouTube and was keen to watch it, but my parents didn't seem so keen, and having finally watched to the end this Christmas Day, I can see why they were hesitant. Still, it's a good reminder of the bond between family, and I too I am the eldest of 3 and love playing soccer, guitar and singing. Now I need to read the book.
I found the movie on YouTube and was keen to watch it, but my parents didn't seem so keen, and having finally watched to the end this Christmas Day, I can see why they were hesitant. Still, it's a good reminder of the bond between family, and I too I am the eldest of 3 and love playing soccer, guitar and singing. Now I need to read the book.
Letter from Eric's mom
tbeausang14 February 2019
Dear niece of Eric, I saw your note and wanted to let you know in 1975 I was 11 years old and saw the movie. It inspired me to such a great degree that I wrote your uncle Eric's mother and told her how much i loved the movie and the positive impact it had on my life, both as a soccer player and person. She wrote me back and I remember how thrilled I was to receive her letter. I remember she mentioned how much the younger kids from the neighborhood loved to play soccer in the back yard with him and they still came over even after he passed. I have so many more memories and I still have the book. It changed my life.
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