A Shining Season

New Mexico University running star John Baker (Timothy Bottoms) seems headed for the Olympics. He starts teaching children. He's been running with pain for at least three years. It's terminal cancer. John Haaland (Ed Begley Jr.) is his best friend. Jack Baker (Rip Torn) and Polly Baker (Allyn Ann McLerie) are his parents.

This is an inspirational true life story. It is what it is and it is good at being that. Timothy Bottoms may have peaked before this, but he remains good. Besides the great adult actors, the kids are pretty good too. It doesn't get more adorable than a cute little cripple girl. It pulls the emotional strings at the right time. This is good TV movie.

I first saw this movie when it was on television. Later, it was out on VHS and I bought the original book which I remember having to special order for Vortman's Bookstore in Denton, TX.

I fell in love with Timothy Bottoms and the John Baker story the first time I saw the movie. During a visit to Albuquerque back in 1992 I made it a point to stop by John Baker Elementary. I took a small pebble from the ground which I still have. It was a heartbreaking yet inspiring story and I thank the previous poster for their insight. John Baker should not be forgotten. I'm hoping this one is out on DVD, but I'm not going to get my hopes up...Melinda

This is how you take a sappy "tv movie of the week" story and make it truly heartbreaking, touching, and funny. Totally unorthodox and extremely well-made true story about John Baker the runner/little girls' track coach who is dying of cancer but refuses to let the pain beat him down until the very end. Why the underrated Bottoms got no award for this outstanding performance is beyond me. I was exhausted just watching him. The kids are great. No sentiment here, man. If a tv movie about a disease can be hip, this is the one.

It is Tim Bottoms all the way, from over-active athletics to fear-numbed sickness. Director Margolin gave his young star a clear open go, and he certainly went places. The other roles are mainly TV-actor style. Ellen Geer gives expert body language as the Principal. I'd have liked to see more of the young girl-friend, who does have winsome charm, yet pops out of the story for a long time without enough explanation. May this originally have been written as a miniseries? The Albuquerque backdrops and clean air give a shining character to the look of the film: finally I figured why the team are the "Dukes". Full marks to the writers for relying on plain humanity and avoiding hokum.

This is a heart-breaker for sure! It has special meaning for me since I ran against the Duke City Dashers in my teenage years many moons ago! It's all about real life and how one person can certainly make a huge difference. Of course, the movie doesn't contain all the extravagance of today's movies, it was made in the 1970's!! If you can actually slow the movie at 1000 speed, you can see me in one of the scenes. Yeah for my .0015 seconds of stardom! I truly love this movie and do wish it was out on DVD. It's a very old movie, but John Baker made quite an impact on many young girls lives who are now all grown women and truly have a soft spot for his incredible spirit! For myself, I will treasure this one for sure!