If every episode of 'Amazing Stories' was written and performed as well as this one, it would have been a great series. Unfortunately, a lot of them were cartoonish or downright silly. This one though was something special. I can't really say why it affected me so much but I did get rather emotional watching it. Bottom line, an elderly gentleman who just came out of a coma after forty years discovers an incredible psychic connection with a seven year old girl who's also comatose in the same hospital. Her parents are beside themselves, and are stopped in their tracks when Ben (Joe Seneca) suddenly begins 'conversing' mentally with their daughter Dorothy (Natalie Gregory), revealing details about her that couldn't possibly be known by anyone outside her family. That would have been astonishing enough, but the shocking decision Ben decides to make in order to bring Dorothy out of her coma is what makes this story so incredibly inspiring and powerful. Without giving it entirely away, I'd have to say this one makes it into the upper echelon of the series, and if you had to make a decision to watch only one Amazing Story, this would be the one.
7 Reviews
Two people in a coma
sonnyschlaegel14 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Ben is an old man who has been in a coma for 40 years. Then he wakes up, which amazes the doctors. Dorothy is a young girl who has been in a coma for about two weeks. It seems Ben has a telepathic link to her. Dorothy's parents are suspicious at first, but Ben tells them details from her past that he wouldn't be able to know if he didn't communicate with her. Ben says that Dorothy is 'nowhere' and that, in the rift between life and death she is in, there are two people beckoning her to follow them 'somewhere' (that is to the afterlife). Dorothy is in an inner conflict because she has to decide where she will go, back to life or to the afterlife. Ben is encouraging her to come back to life...
I liked this story very much. I generally like stories that deal with the old questions 'Where do we come from?', 'Where do we go?', is there a soul and an afterlife? For example, I also liked 'Flatliners' and 'The Sixth Sense'. (I don't say that in this episode there are any new or extremely profound answers to these questions (it's just a nice little story that is only about 25 minutes long); what I want to say is that I liked the theme of the story.)
If you are convinced that there's no soul and no afterlife you will probably not like this episode because I think chances are it will be meaningless to you. I guess I should also mention that it's a quite sentimental story, so if you don't like 'tear-jerkers', you will probably not like this story. But if you're interested in stories that deal with (some of) the questions I have mentioned above and don't mind the sentimentality I think there's a good chance you will like it, too.
I liked this story very much. I generally like stories that deal with the old questions 'Where do we come from?', 'Where do we go?', is there a soul and an afterlife? For example, I also liked 'Flatliners' and 'The Sixth Sense'. (I don't say that in this episode there are any new or extremely profound answers to these questions (it's just a nice little story that is only about 25 minutes long); what I want to say is that I liked the theme of the story.)
If you are convinced that there's no soul and no afterlife you will probably not like this episode because I think chances are it will be meaningless to you. I guess I should also mention that it's a quite sentimental story, so if you don't like 'tear-jerkers', you will probably not like this story. But if you're interested in stories that deal with (some of) the questions I have mentioned above and don't mind the sentimentality I think there's a good chance you will like it, too.
An absolutely beautiful, moving and heartwarming episode of a great series
PL198129 May 2009
When I was growing up, "Amazing Stories" was one of my favorite shows that I enjoyed watching on television when it was on. Re-watching it in syndication, it has lost none of its charm or beauty and this episode is remarkable proof of that
Ben Dumfy has been in a coma for around 40 years when he suddenly wakes up, seemingly none the worse for wear other than the fact that he has aged considerably. He has to adjust to the modern times that he now lives in but, more importantly, he finds himself drawn to a young girl in a coma like he once was. Can he help her?
The plot and script are intriguing and unfold flawlessly, as is typically the case with Spielberg productions and the acting is perfect, with all actors performing their roles magnificently and believably. It is a very powerful, moving and beautiful masterpiece of an episode, as you would expect from Spielberg.
They don't make shows like this anymore. And we are the worse off for it
Ben Dumfy has been in a coma for around 40 years when he suddenly wakes up, seemingly none the worse for wear other than the fact that he has aged considerably. He has to adjust to the modern times that he now lives in but, more importantly, he finds himself drawn to a young girl in a coma like he once was. Can he help her?
The plot and script are intriguing and unfold flawlessly, as is typically the case with Spielberg productions and the acting is perfect, with all actors performing their roles magnificently and believably. It is a very powerful, moving and beautiful masterpiece of an episode, as you would expect from Spielberg.
They don't make shows like this anymore. And we are the worse off for it
One of the better ones.
planktonrules23 June 2015
"Dorothy and Ben" is a very emotionally charged episode of "Amazing Stories"--and it's one of the better shows in the series. While it's not perfect, it is quite enjoyable and worth seeing.
When the show begins, an old man, Ben, awakens from an almost 40 year coma! Oddly, he doesn't awaken gradually nor is he a physical mess (his body would have degraded badly after 40 years of lying in bed). But it's a magical episode...so suspend disbelief! Anyway, soon Ben starts hearing a little girl in the hospital and goes looking for her. It turns out he can hear Dorothy--which is odd, as Dorothy is currently in a coma herself! Her parents at first think Ben in a nut but he knows so much about Dorothy's life that they know he somehow is in touch with her. What's next? See this one and find out yourself.
Overall, apart from Ben being way too healthy and happy following 40 years in a coma, the show is exceptional. However, have a Kleenex handy--you might just need it.
When the show begins, an old man, Ben, awakens from an almost 40 year coma! Oddly, he doesn't awaken gradually nor is he a physical mess (his body would have degraded badly after 40 years of lying in bed). But it's a magical episode...so suspend disbelief! Anyway, soon Ben starts hearing a little girl in the hospital and goes looking for her. It turns out he can hear Dorothy--which is odd, as Dorothy is currently in a coma herself! Her parents at first think Ben in a nut but he knows so much about Dorothy's life that they know he somehow is in touch with her. What's next? See this one and find out yourself.
Overall, apart from Ben being way too healthy and happy following 40 years in a coma, the show is exceptional. However, have a Kleenex handy--you might just need it.
Back from the Dead
Hitchcoc24 May 2014
This is a sweet story of a man who has been in a coma for forty years. After the obvious confusion and disorientation, he is able to explore the hospital. It is obvious that he is a kind man who especially loves children. He makes the kids laugh when he peers through the ward window. Eventually he is drawn to a private room where a little girl is with her family. She is also in a coma and it turns out he can actually hear her. Despite initial resentment, they come to realize that he can really make contact. The arrogant chief of the unit wants none of this, but they now insist on his continuing the contact. Eventually, there is a crisis where she finds herself at a crossroads between life and death and he begins to try to persuade her to choose life. The conclusion involves the decision she makes and his role in this. This is certainly one of the better of the Amazing Stories series.
A Little Too Predictable
ccthemovieman-13 September 2007
The only thing Ben and Dorothy have in common is a big item: both are in a coma. However, after 40 long years, Ben wakes up from his. Dorothy has only been in one for two weeks.
When "Ben Dumfy" wakes up he asks, "What day is it?" They tell him, "Sunday."
"Damn," I missed Fibber and McGee and Molly!"
(That was an old radio show, very old, even before my time.)
Unfortunately, that was end of the comedy and the rest of the show was ridiculously sappy and typical Spielberg in many regards regarding racial issues. Actually it was the dialog on the part of the mother and one of the doctors that was so unrealistic that it turned me off. The ending also is too predictable. I have been amazed how few unpredictable twists we have seen in these first-season stories. Many times, what you can see coming miles away does occur and it's disappointing. Spielberg is no dummy, so this surprises me.
When "Ben Dumfy" wakes up he asks, "What day is it?" They tell him, "Sunday."
"Damn," I missed Fibber and McGee and Molly!"
(That was an old radio show, very old, even before my time.)
Unfortunately, that was end of the comedy and the rest of the show was ridiculously sappy and typical Spielberg in many regards regarding racial issues. Actually it was the dialog on the part of the mother and one of the doctors that was so unrealistic that it turned me off. The ending also is too predictable. I have been amazed how few unpredictable twists we have seen in these first-season stories. Many times, what you can see coming miles away does occur and it's disappointing. Spielberg is no dummy, so this surprises me.
If this episode doesn't move you , you're probably DEAD!! BRILLIANT!!
joiningjt30 August 2021
This tv series was so amazing back in the mid 80s and episodes like this are why it's still amazing to this very day. Here it is in 2021, hurricanes, covid, etc etc etc so it's like a miracle we can go back in time and have a masterpiece of a 30 minute show bring us joy. Thank you jr Spielberg, we're extremely happy we own the wholexseries as we'll keep watching it every year!!!
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