The Terry Fox Story

Terry Fox is a Canadian icon. Perserverance and triumph through unspeakable tragedy. This portrayal is an abomination. Early in the film we see a fellow patient sketching a flower vase. The "artist's" chalk is not even touching the canvas in the scenes. Rank amateurs attempting to cash in on a proper hero. Throw in Robert Duval in one of the penultimate scenes and you have a package toi sell. Clumsy and terrible. Avoid this film at all costs. Exploitation and offensively poor. Shame on everyone involved. There is nothing in this film that portrays the heart of overcoming personal tragedy to the spirit required to run across the country on one leg in a harsh climate to help strangers. Instead it is an exercise in misunderstanding and exploitation.

Due to my age, I can only vaguely remember when Terry Fox was running across Canada, but his story is definitely a legendary one here in my country. This is a solid film that begins with his life immediately before his leg is amputated, but it focuses on the actual "Marathon of Hope". Some of the dialogue seems a little unrealistic at times, and the film often moves at too brisk a pace, but the acting is fairly good, and in spite of the flaws, this is a story that needs to be heard if you are unfamiliar with it. Terry Fox is widely regarded as a great Canadian hero...here's your chance to find out why.

It's 1977. Athletic university kid Terry Fox (Eric Fryer) is diagnosed with cancer in his knee and his leg is amputated. With the help of new girlfriend Rika Noda (Rosalind Chao), brother Darrell Fox (Chris Makepeace) and best friend Doug Alward (Michael Zelniker), he starts running in races and decides to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. After breaking up with Rika and with little support, Terry and Doug start from Halifax as he runs home to Vancouver. He's later joined by Darrell and Bill Vigars (Robert Duvall) from the cancer society in Toronto.

The first part is functional TV affair. It's nothing spectacular but it works. The movie really gets going once he's on the road. Terry and Doug's relationship is compelling. It shows Terry to be not simply a saint but an actual human being. The receptions he gets are the real tearjerker. The movie then adds the great Robert Duvall to the mix. Obviously, Fryer got the job because of his amputation and his likeness to Terry. He is still a competent actor who is able to hit certain notes. Zelniker is amazing as Doug. This is a solid TV production of an inspiring figure.

just as Terry did in his short but heroic life. How accurate the movie is I am sure it is quite accurate but have heard of a few inaccuracies compared to the real road trip. I recommend this movie to anyone that loves a beautiful heartwarming true story but be warned as you must know the tears will come just a matter of how many and when.......Makepeace and Duvall do a great job portraying Terry and his publicist with a lot of the inside scenes being somewhat difficult to believe. If you get a chance to watch this made for TV movie you won't regret it one bit, truly a classic in Canadian history. There is a documentary on Terry as well which I will post a review on later.

They say the Dragon never sleeps. He stalks his prey in silence cold, and when he strikes, what evil fire in his venom.

One day the snake in careless greed, dared seize a Knight 'Born of the Sun.' The bite burned deep - right to the soul.

The snake held fast - damage done. But death could not win. For though the fire had pierced him through, Knight of the Sun held strong and true.

The fever broke, the serpent fled, one limb his prize.

The knight rose up, these words he spoke: 'You have broken my body but not my spirit. I will not mourn, nor will I fear it.

Beware tread beast, you have not won this battle, My quest has just begun.

From the Terry Fox Story written by Rika Noda.