Movie and Film Profile: Amy (1981)

Amy was generally released theatrically on March 20, 1981. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Co., Inc. Originally filmed as a television movie titled Amy on the Lips. In early 1981, Walt Disney Productions felt the film was too powerful for a television release, and they changed the name to Amy and released it in theaters. A two-hour television remake aired on ABC on November 11, 1995, directed by Susan Seidelman.

DMFE Rating: ★¼☆☆☆ (1.25 out of 5 stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

Set in 1913, Amy follows Amy Medford, a woman who leaves her wealthy but controlling husband after the death of their deaf child. Seeking a new purpose, she travels to the Appalachian Mountains and takes a job at a struggling school for deaf and blind children. Despite having little formal training, Amy becomes determined to help her students communicate, experimenting with teaching them to speak rather than relying solely on sign language.

Her unconventional methods create tension with the school’s staff, who doubt her approach, but Amy gradually begins to see progress, especially with one young boy. As she gains confidence in her teaching, her past catches up with her when her husband locates her and the school discovers she misrepresented her credentials. At the same time, a tragic accident involving one of the students shakes her belief in whether she is truly helping the children succeed in the outside world.

Ultimately, Amy must decide between returning to her old life or continuing the work she has started. Choosing independence, she remains at the school, committed to helping her students find their voices and build a future beyond the limitations placed on them by society.

The film’s musical score was written and composed by Robert F. Brunner. The film features one original song, “So Many Ways,” written by Bruce Belland, music by Bruce Belland, and performed by Julie Budd. The song plays during the opening and end credits.

First released on home video (VHS) on October 15, 1981. Re-released on VHS on September 29, 1998. Released on DVD on June 26, 2011, as part of the Disney Generations Collection. Amy is available on Disney+. 

CAST & CREW

• Director: Vincent McEveety
• Producer: Jerome Courtland
• Executive Producer(s): William Robert Yates, Ron Miller (uncredited)
• Writer: Noreen Stone
• Director of Photography: Leonard J. South, A.S.C. 
• Art Director(s): John B. Mansbridge, Mark W. Mansbridge
• Editor: G. Gregg McLaughlin, A.C.E. (as Gregg McLaughlin)
• Music: Robert F. Brunner
• Cast: Jenny Agutter (as Amy Medford), Barry Newman (as Dr. Ben Corcoran), Kathleen Nolan (as Helen Gibbs), Chris Robinson (as Elliot Medford), Lou Fant (as Lyle Ferguson), Margaret O’Brien (as Hazel Johnson), Nanette Fabray (as Malvina), Lance LeGault (as Edgar Wambuck), Lucille Benson (as Rose Metcalf), Jonathan Daly (as Clyde Pruett), Lonny Chapman (as Virgil Goodloe), Brian Frishman (Mervin Grimes), Jane Daly (as Molly Tribble), Dawn Jeffory (as Caroline Chapman), Frances Bay (as Mrs. Lindey), Peggy McCay (as Mrs. Grimes), Len Wayland (as Mr. Grimes), Virginia Vincent (as Edna Hancock), Norman Burton (as Caruthers), Otto Rechenberg (as Henry Watkins), David Hollander (as Just George), Cory ‘Bumper’ Yothers (as Wesley Moody), Alban Branton (Eugene), Ronnie Scribner (as Walter Ray), Michelle Downey (as Essie), Carson Sipes (as Dwayne), Diana Boyd (as Loretta), Flavia Fleischer (as Iris), David Jacob Weiss (as Glenn), Oscar Arturo Aguilar (as Chester), Kevin van Wieringen (as Owen Corner), Seamon Glass (as Mr. Watkins), Nancy Jeris (as Mrs. Watkins), Randy Morton (as Teenage Boy), Lance Gordon (Referee), John Arndt (as Mr. Pool)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• MPAA Rating: G
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Sound: Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)
• Format: Color (Technicolor)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.75:1
• Genre(s): Classics, Drama, Live-Action (from movies.disney.com)

BOX OFFICE (from IMDb.com)

• Budget: N/A
• Opening Weekend (U.S. & Canada): N/A
• Gross (U.S. & Canada): N/A
• Gross (Worldwide): N/A

RATINGS

• My Rating: 1.25 (out of 5) 
• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A (Tomatometer) | 75% (Popcornmeter)
• Metacritic: N/A (Metascore) | N/A (Popcornmeter)
• IMDb: 6.4 (out of 10)
• The Movie DB: 71% (User Score)
• Letterboxd: 3.2 (out of 5)
• Combined Rating: 59.80

MY THOUGHTS

Despite a decent performance from Jenny Agutter and a promising premise, Amy ultimately falls flat and probably should have remained a made-for-television movie. Definitely one of the weaker live-action efforts by Walt Disney Productions.

Have you seen Amy? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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