Seven in Darkness

Seven in Darkness is an American made-for-TV adventure film directed by Michael Caffey and based on the novel Against Heaven's Hand by Leonard Bishop. The premiere entry in the 1969–76 series ABC Movie of the Week, it was broadcast on September 23, 1969.[1][2][3]

Seven in Darkness
Based onthe novel Against Heaven's Hand
by Leonard Bishop
Written byJohn W. Bloch
Directed byMichael Caffey
StarringMilton Berle
Sean Garrison
Dina Merrill
Barry Nelson
Arthur O'Connell
Alejandro Rey
Elizabeth Walker
Lesley Ann Warren
Music byMark Bucci
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
Production
Producer(s)Richard Newton
CinematographyHoward Schwartz A.S.C.
Running time74 minutes
Production company(s)Paramount Television
DistributorABC
CBS Television Distribution (syndication)
Release
Original releaseSeptember 23, 1969

The film is affectionately recalled by Ethan Coen in "The Old Country", story 2 in his 1998 collection "Gates of Eden".

Plot

The film follows a group of blind people who are flying to a convention for the blind in Seattle. The group consists of its charismatic leader, Alex Swain, a former doctor-turned-teacher for the blind. With him are his old friends Emily Garth, recently blinded Larry Wise, Ramon and Christine Rohas, who are expecting their first child at any moment, and singer Deborah Cabot, who is traveling with her sighted father. Also along are Vietnam War hero Mark Larsen, who is harboring a guilty secret, and Sam Fuller (Milton Berle in a rare dramatic role),[4][5] a bitter and selfish man who antagonizes everyone in the group.

Due to bad weather, the plane is hundreds of miles off course, and crashes in a forest. The four sighted people (three crew members and Harlan Cabot, Deborah Cabot's father) are killed, while the eight blind passengers survive. There is a blizzard approaching and the wreckage of the plane is teetering precariously on the side of the mountain. The only hope for survival is to climb down the mountain and seek help. The survivors turn to Mark to lead them out of the wilderness - a fact which Alex resents bitterly, and leads to further troubles. Sam wants to strike out on his own. Deborah is in shock over the death of her father. Emily has an injured ankle, and Christine may give birth at any moment. In addition to the weather and rough terrain, the survivors struggle to evade a pack of hungry wolves.

The group discovers an old railway line and attempts to follow it, but when they come to a river the crossing ends half-way and Larry is killed in a fall. Christine gives birth to her baby, and Alex is attacked by a wolf. They know they must get away before the pack, having tasted blood, comes back, but there appears to be no way to get across the river. They eventually discover a rotting, wooden suspension footbridge over their heads - their only chance. On the other side they continue to follow the railroad tracks until they run into a little boy and his dog. The boy is frightened by the appearance of the strangers and wants only to get away, but Mark holds onto the dog, forcing the boy to go for his father. The man spots the survivors and goes to help them as the film ends.[6]

Cast

Additional credits
  • Song "And They Danced" by Nino Candido
  • Technical assistance provided by The Braille Institute of America, Inc.
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See also

References
  1. Pearson, Howard. TV Highlights / Expensive Movie Series (Deseret News, September 22, 1969, p.B3)
  2. "TV Movies Tonight / 'Seven in Darkness' Is Tense Tale" (Evening Independent {St. Petersburg}, September 23, 1969, p.9-B /the article appears mid-page/)
  3. Comeback on Television for B Movie: MOVIE OF WEEK Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 24 Sep 1969: g1.
  4. Smith, Cecil. "VIEWS ON TELEVISION / The Dramatic Face of Milton Berle" (The Victoria Advocate {Texas}, August 17, 1969, Page 6)
  5. "Berle Emerging As Serious Actor" (Spartanburg Herald-Journal, September 21, 1969, p.C-8)
  6. "Terror in the Dark / Elizabeth Walker, Alejandro Rey (center) and Sean Garrison portray three of the "Seven in Darkness," on Channel 10 tonight at 8:30." (Evening Independent {St. Petersburg}, March 31, 1970, p.9-B /photograph with caption/)
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