Family Reunion (1981 TV Movie) User Reviews

Winfield Family Values

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 24 July 2019]

Family Reunion is a film about a family named Winfield returning back to a town named for said family. Over the years the family has spread out over the country with one exception. Spinster Aunt Bette Davis stayed in the town and taught elementary school and molded the young minds of the town.

One of the relatives is a US Senator played by David Huddleston. The Winfield family own cooperatively a nice chunk of land and Huddleston has persuaded them to sell to a corporation to build a shopping mall. Even his aunt's piece where her house sits is in danger because who would want to live next to a mall?

It's David versus Huddleston in a battle for the soul of the Winfield family. Family Reunion has a nice Frank Capra like ring to it and we know how it goes with Capra films.

Among the supporting cast look for good performances from Kathryn Walker who is disillusioned with the whole family gig. John Shea as the attorney Davis gets to fight her nephew Huddleston and David Rounds as a brain damaged cousin who speaks a lot of truth as it turns out.

This is one fine made for TV film with the incomparable Bette Davis.

"Legacy of Love: A Family Reunion Story"

[doyler79 · 8/10 · 30 July 2023]

"Family Reunion" is a heartwarming film that follows the story of Elizabeth Winfield, portrayed brilliantly by Bette Davis, as she faces retirement and discovers a secret family plan to sell their cherished land for a mall development. Forced into a journey by an unwanted bus ticket, Elizabeth embarks on a trip to visit her extended family, unaware of the hidden intentions behind the gift. When she learns of the impending land grab, she decides to fight back, leading to a touching and emotional family reunion aimed at saving their beloved homestead.

The performances in the movie are exceptional, with Bette Davis delivering a powerful portrayal of Elizabeth's resilience and determination. David Huddleston and the rest of the cast also shine in their roles, adding depth and authenticity to the characters. Notably, Davis' real-life grandson, J. Ashley Hyman, impresses with his natural and convincing acting.

"Family Reunion" is a delightful and sentimental film, brimming with charm and sentiment. It captures the essence of family bonds and the importance of preserving cherished heritage. The plot's combination of legal action and heartfelt family moments keeps viewers engaged, rooting for Elizabeth's fight to save the family legacy.

Overall, "Family Reunion" is an enjoyable and touching picture that offers a blend of drama, emotion, and warmth. It reminds us of the value of family ties and the strength that comes from standing together against adversity. With excellent performances and a heartwarming story, this film is a must-see for those seeking a touching and engaging cinematic experience.

No Reviews For This Bette Davis TV Movie?

[richard.fuller1 · 9/10 · 18 November 2006]

As wholesome as the Waltons or Little House On The Prairie, I would believe it if I was told there was hope this would spin off into a series back then.

Bette Davis is Elizabeth Winfield (irony of ironies, this was also the maiden name of Redd Foxx's Fred Sanford's late wife that he would always call to. We learn her maiden name in the episode that guested BB King), the matriarch of a family that has drifted apart for various reasons.

She sees surveyors on her property, as sprawling as Bonanza's Cartwright Ponderosa, and learns a nephew, played by David Huddleston, is selling off parts of his share.

Now Davis must reunite the family once more, to save the family land.

But the problem is the rift occurred between Davis, her sister and her brother, George.

The sister I believe had passed on, and the brother, George, was in an old folk's home.

Bette sees her nephew George, and upon deciding to reunite with her brother, she takes the train to sort out her thoughts.

George died before she could get there. She was too late.

So now she must do what she can to bring younger generations around.

These involve a brain-damaged nephew, an interracial marriage and one great-niece living with her boyfriend. How would the family deal with that? The funniest bit with the wedlock story was the boyfriend's name was Waynefeld and someone thought he had changed it from Winfield.

Further on, when the boyfriend did contemplate proposing to his girlfriend, upon seeing her in great-grandma's wedding dress, I believe, he mentioned that if they give their baby her maiden name as a first name, this will make the kid Winfield Waynefeld.

John Shea was another sniveling relation, working in Huddleston's hip pocket.

At the reunion, it was the mentally retarded nephew, who finally felt he belonged to a family, who brought everything to the surface, upon realizing no more family reunions could be held if the property was sold.

This nephew was a holder in a large portion of the property and he was the domino that started everything falling apart.

This subtle breakdown of this moment with Davis on one side and the quite capable Huddleston on the other, was enjoyable to watch.

I'm really surprised there are no reviews for this movie as it was very good.

Davis lost it a bit as the different branches of younger generations came forth, but she emerged at the end as the head of this clan.

Very good film.

A feel-good movie.

[straitsworld · 9/10 · 27 November 2020]

A great movie that was made back in 1980/81. American treasure Bette Davis plays the main character. Of course, she's amazing. It is definitely a feel-good movie as the family comes together to save the old homestead.

Well worth seeing.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 25 May 2023]

During Bette Davis' later years, it's surprising that most of her best work occurred on films she made for television. I just finished watching "Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter", a film I scored a 10, and not with "Family Reunion", I score it a 9.

When the story begins, Elizabeth Winfield (Bette Davis) is retiring from teaching. She's a bit of an institution at the school, having taught there for five decades...and she's not retiring by choice. The school board offers her a present that isn't as wonderful as it sounds...a ticket for unlimited bus travel. She reluctantly decides to travel to visit extended family...not realizing they gave her the ticket to get her out of town. It seems that developers want to put in a mall...and don't want Winfield to raise any objections since they would be using land owned by the Winfield family! It seems that Senator Chester Winfield (David Huddleston) is leading a secret family plan to sell the land...and he is using all the power at his disposal to ram this land grab past everyone.

When Elizabeth learns what is happening, she decides to fight. Part involves suing and part involves throwing a big family reunion and trying to get folks to see the value in saving the family homestead. What's next? See this enjoyable and sentimental picture.

The acting in this one is excellent. Davis is great, as you'd expect, but David Huddleston and the rest seem to be at the top of their game as well. I was also impressed by Davis' real life grandson, as J. Ashley Hyman seemed very natural. Overall, a lovely story, filled with sentiment and charm.