The Terry Fox Story
Encyclopedia
The Terry Fox Story is a 1983 film biopic of Canadian amputee and runner
Terry Fox
. It was written by Howard Hume, John Kastner and Rose Kastner, and directed by Ralph L. Thomas
. The film stars Eric Fryer
as Fox, Chris Makepeace
as his brother Darrell, and Robert Duvall
as Fox's publicist, Bill Vigars. The cast also includes Rosalind Chao
, R. H. Thomson
, Elva Mai Hoover, Michael Zelnicker, Saul Rubinek
and Patrick Watson.
The film was produced for HBO in the United States
with Canadian co-producers. Although it was also released in Canadian and British theatres, it was the first television film ever made for a cable
network.
ceremony for Canadian film in 1984:
The film was also nominated for Best Cinematography (Richard Ciupka) and Best Supporting Actress (Hoover), but did not win. Duvall was nominated for Best Actor at the 1983 CableACE Awards, but did not win.
Despite its awards, the film was criticized by Fox's family for depicting him as ill-tempered.
The staff of Halliwell's Film Guide said of the film: "True it may be, but dramatically this is a one-note film with endless pretty pictures of countryside and in the foreground signs of failing health."
Runner
A runner is a person who runs.Runner may also refer to:- Arts and music :* Runner, a film by the British artist Ravi Deepres* Runner , a short-lived British rock band, formed in 1978* Runner , a Marvel Comics character...
Terry Fox
Terry Fox
Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox , was a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research...
. It was written by Howard Hume, John Kastner and Rose Kastner, and directed by Ralph L. Thomas
Ralph L. Thomas
Ralph L. Thomas is a Brazilian born Canadian film director and screenwriter. He was born to Canadian Baptist missionary parents and grew up in Canada. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1961 and began to write for the entertainment pages of the Toronto Star a year later...
. The film stars Eric Fryer
Eric Fryer
Eric Fryer is a Canadian actor, who played Terry Fox in the 1983 biopic The Terry Fox Story. He was cast in part because, like Fox, he was an amputee, and also as a result of cancer...
as Fox, Chris Makepeace
Chris Makepeace
- Life and career :Makepeace was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Doreen and Harry Makepeace. He began his acting career in a 1974 Canadian television special, The Ottawa Valley. His next role was in 1979's Canadian comedy, Meatballs, in which he starred opposite Bill Murray, playing one of the...
as his brother Darrell, and Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA over the course of his career....
as Fox's publicist, Bill Vigars. The cast also includes Rosalind Chao
Rosalind Chao
Rosalind Chao is a Chinese American actress. Chao's most prolific roles have been as a star of CBS' AfterMASH portraying South Korean refugee Soon-Lee Klinger for both seasons, and the recurring character Keiko O'Brien with 27 appearances on the syndicated science fiction series Star Trek: The...
, R. H. Thomson
R. H. Thomson
Robert Holmes "R. H." Thomson, is a Canadian television, film and stage actor.Thomson was born in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He studied at the University of Toronto, and the National Theatre School. His own play The Lost Boys was staged at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in March 2000 and at...
, Elva Mai Hoover, Michael Zelnicker, Saul Rubinek
Saul Rubinek
Saul Rubinek is a Canadian actor, director, producer and playwright, known for his work in TV, film and the stage.-Early life:...
and Patrick Watson.
The film was produced for HBO in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with Canadian co-producers. Although it was also released in Canadian and British theatres, it was the first television film ever made for a cable
Cable
A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
network.
Cast
- Eric FryerEric FryerEric Fryer is a Canadian actor, who played Terry Fox in the 1983 biopic The Terry Fox Story. He was cast in part because, like Fox, he was an amputee, and also as a result of cancer...
as Terry FoxTerry FoxTerrance Stanley "Terry" Fox , was a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research... - Robert DuvallRobert DuvallRobert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA over the course of his career....
as Bill Vigars - Chris MakepeaceChris Makepeace- Life and career :Makepeace was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Doreen and Harry Makepeace. He began his acting career in a 1974 Canadian television special, The Ottawa Valley. His next role was in 1979's Canadian comedy, Meatballs, in which he starred opposite Bill Murray, playing one of the...
as Darrell Fox - Rosalind ChaoRosalind ChaoRosalind Chao is a Chinese American actress. Chao's most prolific roles have been as a star of CBS' AfterMASH portraying South Korean refugee Soon-Lee Klinger for both seasons, and the recurring character Keiko O'Brien with 27 appearances on the syndicated science fiction series Star Trek: The...
as Rika Noda - Michael Zelniker as Doug Alward
- Elva Mai Hoover as Betty Fox
- Frank Adamson as Rolly Fox
- Marie McCann as Judith Fox
Awards and criticism
The Terry Fox Story won six awards at the 5th Genie Awards5th Genie Awards
The 5th Genie Awards were presented on March 21, 1984, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto. The awards ceremony was hosted by Louis Del Grande.Best Motion PictureWinner: The Terry Fox Story, Robert M...
ceremony for Canadian film in 1984:
- Best PictureGenie Award for Best Motion PictureThe Genie Award for Best Motion Picture is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian motion picture.-1st Genie Awards:*The Changeling *Cordélia...
- Best Actor (Fryer)
- Best Supporting Actor (Zelniker)
- Best Sound (Joe Grimaldi, Bruce Carwardine, Austin Grimaldi and Glen Gauthier)
- Best Sound Editing (same as above; tied with The Wars)
- Best Film Editing (Ron Wisman)
The film was also nominated for Best Cinematography (Richard Ciupka) and Best Supporting Actress (Hoover), but did not win. Duvall was nominated for Best Actor at the 1983 CableACE Awards, but did not win.
Despite its awards, the film was criticized by Fox's family for depicting him as ill-tempered.
The staff of Halliwell's Film Guide said of the film: "True it may be, but dramatically this is a one-note film with endless pretty pictures of countryside and in the foreground signs of failing health."