Right to Die (film)

1987 television film by Paul Wendkos

For the documentary film, see Right to Die?

Right to Die

Film poster

Written by| Phil Penningroth
Directed by| Paul Wendkos
Starring|

* Raquel Welch
* Michael Gross

Composer| Brad Fiedel
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
Production
Executive producer| Don Ohlmeyer
Producer| Karen Danaher-Dorr
Cinematography| Bernd Heinl
Editor| James Galloway
Running time| 90 minutes
Production company| Ohlmeyer Communications Company
Original release
Network| NBC
Release| October 12, 1987 (1987-10-12)

Right to Die is an American drama television film that premiered on NBC on October 12, 1987. Directed by Paul Wendkos and written by Phil Penningroth, it is based on articles in The New York Times written by Andrew H. Malcolm.[1] The film stars Raquel Welch and Michael Gross, with Bonnie Bartlett, Peter Michael Goetz, and Joanna Miles in supporting roles. It was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and Welch was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance.

Right to Die was one of three films that Welch said she was most proud of.[2]

## Plot

[edit]

Emily Bauer is a successful psychologist who is living the ideal family life until she is suddenly diagnosed with the dreaded neurological condition called ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In the beginning stages, she puts up a courageous fight against this terrible affliction, but her condition is deteriorating, which eventually leaves her in a vegetative state. Emily then pleads with her husband to help her die.

## Cast

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* Raquel Welch as Emily Bauer
* Michael Gross as Bob Bauer
* Bonnie Bartlett as Lillian
* Peter Michael Goetz as Woody Charris
* Joanna Miles as Katherine
* Ed O'Neill as Bob Bauer's Business Partner
* Diane Salinger as Betsy
* Mark Shera as Roger
* Cástulo Guerra as Dr. Reuben Espinoza
* Jaclyn Bernstein as Lynn
* Karen Landry as Lindsay James
* Alan Fudge as Dr. Harley Albert

## Reception

[edit]

### Critical response

[edit]

The New York Times' television critic John J. O'Connor called Right to Die a "rare made-for-television movie that keeps veering away from easy expectations".[1] Don Shirley of the Los Angeles Times described the first half of the film as "a clunky piece of storytelling that much of the audience may tune out" and wrote that "the woman's joie de vivre is expressed via imagery that looks like it was inspired by commercials (Paul Wendkos directed), and Penningroth's dialogue says all the usual things, in all the usual ways".[3] Clifford Terry of the Chicago Tribune stated that "the movie, like Whose Life Is It Anyway?, devotes most of its time to tough, complex moral and ethical questions, including a dialogue on the nature of suffering" and "the flashbacks, while dramatically convenient, are intrusive and make the movie choppy".[4] All three critics praised Welch's performance, with O'Connor writing: "Ms. Welch gives an enormously affecting performance as Emily Bauer, not only uncompromising but also admirably sensitive to the larger intentions of the film".[1] Gross's performance was also praised, with Terry writing: "Gross gives a surprisingly adequate performance".[4]

### Accolades

[edit]

Year  | Award  | Category  | Recipient(s)  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

1988  | 45th Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film | Raquel Welch | Nominated  | [5]
38th American Cinema Editors Awards | Best Edited Television Special | James Galloway | Nominated  |
40th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special | N. Kristine Chadwick
Kathy W. Estocin  | Nominated  | [6]
Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special | Tommy Cole
Pat Gerhardt  | Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Dramatic Miniseries or a Special | Joseph D. Citarella
Charles Grenzbach
Walter Hoylman
Ray West | Nominated

## References

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1. ^ a b c O'Connor, John J. (October 12, 1987). "TV Review; RAQUEL WELCH STARS IN 'RIGHT TO DIE,' NBC". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
2. ^ Sanello, Frank (May 14, 1989). "A CENSOR IN 'PARADISE'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
3. ^ Shirley, Don (October 12, 1987). "TELEVISION REVIEWS: 'RIGHT TO DIE'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
4. ^ a b Terry, Clifford (October 12, 1987). "RAQUEL WELCH GETS SERIOUS IN 'RIGHT TO DIE'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
5. ^ "Right to Die". Golden Globes. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
6. ^ "Right to Die - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins". Television Academy. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

## External links

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* Right to Die at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Paul Wendkos

* The Burglar (1957)
* The Case Against Brooklyn (1958)
* Tarawa Beachhead (1958)
* Gidget (1959)
* Face of a Fugitive (1959)
* Battle of the Coral Sea (1959)
* Because They're Young (1960)
* Angel Baby (1961)
* Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)
* Gidget Goes to Rome (1963)
* Johnny Tiger (1966)
* Attack on the Iron Coast (1967)
* Fear No Evil (1969)
* Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969)
* Hell Boats (1970)
* The Brotherhood of the Bell (1970)
* Cannon for Cordoba (1970)
* The Mephisto Waltz (1971)
* A Little Game (1971)
* A Death of Innocence (1971)
* The Family Rico (1972)
* Haunts of the Very Rich (1972)
* The Strangers in 7A (1972)
* The Underground Man (1974)
* The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975)
* Special Delivery (1976)
* The Death of Richie (1977)
* Good Against Evil (1977)
* 79 Park Avenue (1979)
* Betrayal (1978)
* A Woman Called Moses (1978)
* The Five of Me (1981)
* Cocaine: One Man's Seduction (1983)
* Scorned and Swindled (1984)
* The Bad Seed (1985)
* Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife (1987)
* Six Against the Rock (1987)
* Right to Die (1987)
* The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988)
* The Great Escape II: The Untold Story (1988)
* Cross of Fire (1989)
* Blind Faith (1990)
* The Chase (1991)
* White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (1991)
* A Match Made in Heaven (1997)

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