Released at a time when psychic auras, near-death experiences, and Kirlian photography were all the rage among early New Age proponents, Resurrection achieves a spiritual depth rarely found in Hollywood movies. In one of her finest performances, Ellen Burstyn stars as Edna McCauley, a transplanted farm girl who develops healing powers following an accident that left her widowed and paralyzed. Returning to her Kansas homeland, she attracts awe and controversy, performing healings while deflecting any pretense of religion. That's a risky position in the Bible belt, and even Edna's new beau Cal (Sam Shepard) responds with zealous incredulity, fearing what he can't understand while others embrace Edna with unquestioning faith. Through it all, Edna remains calmly resolute as the conduit of an extraordinary gift.

Sensitively written by Lewis John Carlino (The Great Santini), Resurrection tenuously mixes spiritual significance with John Ford's homespun tradition, but for the most part it works: Burstyn superbly conveys Edna's heartfelt determination, and both she and stage veteran Eva LeGallienne (in a rare and final film performance, as Edna's grandma) deservedly earned Oscar nominations. The movie dares to suggest that miracles reside within everyone, and that pure grace will manifest itself in unexpected ways. To that end, Richard Farnsworth is warm and wise in a brief but perfect role; Burstyn's final scene with Roberts Blossom (as her disapproving father) is a heartbreaker; and the film ends with an act of compassion that brings the story full circle as an affirmation of life's greatest mysteries. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Rating:
Summary: Much more effecting than I would have imagined...
Comment: A film that could have easily been ridiculous, `Resurrection' balances out its themes rather well in order to create something that is not only memorable, but at times even magical. `Resurrection' has a lot on its plate, but it manages to (for the most part) create something solid and fathomable despite its preposterous foundation. It's quite a feat when you think about it.

Ellen Burstyn stars as Edna McCauley, a middle-aged woman at odds with her family. In the opening scenes she is in a horrible accident that leaves her widowed and paralyzed. Reliant on those who disowned her, Edna now moves back home. She is welcomed by her grandmother, but there are obvious tensions between her and her father. Edna soon realizes that her unfortunate circumstances have led way to some extraordinary gifts as she begins to heal others. This causes uproar through her small town, contrasting bible preachers against new believers as Edna holds healing ceremonies. As she forms relationships with other, especially with beau Cal Carpenter, her views on her own powers become a stumbling block to some and a roadblock to herself.

Thanks to some smart scripting and some even smarter performances `Resurrection' is able to break away from the ridiculousness it could have fallen into and delivers a tightly constructed character study of faith and responsibility.

Ellen Burstyn is marvelous as Edna Mae McCauley, mastering this woman's own demons in order to create someone true and pure. There is one scene in particular, when Edna is sitting in bed trying to move her toes, which in my opinion is a true testament to the flawless acting involved here. The scene could have easily rode the fence of silly but instead it comes across very real and touching; and this is all due to Burstyn's reaction to the situation. Sam Shepard and Roberts Blossom have heavy roles as the two men in her life, her boyfriend and her father; both of which influence her drastically, and they both handle the roles very well. It's Eva Le Gallienne though that deserves the heaping of praise as far as supporting performances go. Her portrayal of Grandma Pearl is effecting to an extreme, especially her scene on the porch after Edna uses her powers for the first time.

Chills.

This is a small film that packs quite a punch so be prepared. It is not a film that everyone will love, but it is a film that you won't forget. It's hard to come by so many may not get the chance to see it; but if you do please take the time to give it a watch through. It's smart and cohesive and very much deserving of some time and attention.

I want to leave you with a small note in regards to the subject matter of this film. If you are a very religious person who has a hard time separating your own faith from entertainment then you may want to avoid this film. `Resurrection' is a study of what constitutes faith and what separates the religious from the spiritual. I personally am a very religious person, but I also know how to separate the two, and so I can find enjoyment and even enlightenment from a film like this that challenges ones beliefs. I just want you to be aware that the film has its own views that may or may not conflict with your own, so if you are offended or put off by films of that nature then stay away.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A movie that sets your heart and mind on Fire!
Comment: It is sad that this movie can't be released on DVD? When movies that are absolute waste of time and money are being released daily. I love this movie, it had me threw the whole picture.
To bad it will be seen by so few. Waiting for someone in Hollywood to wake up!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Movie
Comment: (*SPOILER WARNING*) Resurrection is loosely based on the experiences of Rosalyn Bruyere, a woman with expansive experience in energy based healing (She was also a technical advisor for the movie). Ellen Burstyn is absolutely realistic in her role as Edna, a woman who awakens from an accident in which she lost her fiance to find she has been endowed with a confusing blessing in the form of the ability to heal. As an agnostic, she finds this gift difficult to resolve, and her journey through her own healing and with others' expectations is interesting to watch. I would encourage anyone who is in the field of energy based healing to try to get their hands on a copy of this VHS, or at the very least catch it on cable, as it is shown periodically. It holds up well over time and I am still hoping the 'powers that be' will see fit to release it in DVD, as there is a strong call for it and I know I'll be right there at the top of the list for pre-ordering it. There's just nothing else like it in film (the newer version doesn't have the same impact, and has a different ending).

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Watch for Resurrection on Cable
Comment: I recently was able to record Resurrection from cable. I believe it was on Starz. This may be the only way to get this remarkable film. All the other reviews nail it...this has a five star rating from all reviews, and nothing below a five in overall scoring. Be aware some of the reviews here contain spoilers.

If you've never seen this, find it and watch it. You won't regret it.

Let's see- ISHTAR DVD, yep...Dude, Where's My Car? DVD, yep... Hudson Hawk, yep...Gigli dvd, you bet! Resurrection dvd? nope...sorry.

Sometimes there is no justice.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Why is this EXCELLENT film not on dvd???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Comment: This is one of the best films ever made on the subject of what happens when we die. It's supremely well acted, written, directed and musically composed. It's moving in ways no other film ever has or probably can touch. A screen gem of the highest order. It's utterly ridiculous that this film is not available, new, on dvd OR vhs. What Universal is waiting for is beyond me. The money they're losing out on by not releasing it is big.Ellen Burstyn's best film of her career next to "Requiem For A Dream". It's a masterpiece! I saw this film as a little boy on cable in the '80's and it's stuck with me ever since. I was lucky enough to see it again last year on Encore cable channel and I recorded it, but dropped the vhs tape copy of it and it broke, as did my heart. WE NEED THIS FILM ON DVD ALREADY, UNIVERSAL. Get on it and release it this year!!! Enough waiting already.

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