The Death of Richie (1977): Cast & Plot
The Death of Richie is a 1977 drama directed by Paul Wendkos, starring Robby Benson as Richie Werner, Ben Gazzara and Charles Fleischer. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Paul Wendkos
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Henry Jaffe Enterprises Inc.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Death of Richie About?
The premise of The Death of Richie without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A determined father battles to rescue his vulnerable son from a spiral of self‑destruction. Pressured and bewildered, the teenager turns to drugs, which wreak havoc on his school performance and strain family relationships, forcing the father to confront the painful realities of addiction and seek redemption.
The Death of Richie Themes & Keywords
· 42 tags- father kills son
- teenager
- female judge
- in medias res
- tie back ending
- domestic drama
- family drama
- teenage alienation
- teen drama
- social drama
- social commentary
- tragedy drama
+30 more Show fewer
- filicide
- long island new york
- ignorance
- secret room
- epilogue
- part time job
- prescription drug abuse
- group therapy
- counseling
- loneliness
- teen angst
- selling a raffle ticket
- groucho marx impression
- propaganda film
- social stigma
- phone tap
- addiction
- stubborn man
- inebriation
- societal ignorance
- dysfunctional family
- 17 year old boy
- drug addiction
- teenage boy
- mother son relationship
- father son relationship
- drug abuse
- death of son
- based on true story
- based on book
The Death of Richie Cast & Characters
Robby Benson leads the cast as Richie Werner, with Ben Gazzara as George Werner and Charles Fleischer as Brick. Directed by Paul Wendkos; 42 actors are credited in all.
- Director Paul Wendkos
-
Robby Benson as Richie Werner -
Ben Gazzara as George Werner - Charles Fleischer as Brick
-
Eileen Brennan as Carol Werner
Also Starring in The Death of Richie
· 38 more- Lance Kerwin Russell Werner
- Cindy Eilbacher Sheila
- Clint Howard Peanuts
- Richard Stahl Arthur Edmunds
- Rose Gregorio Betty Firmani
- Bob Harks Priest (uncredited)
- John Zaremba Mr. Norlon
- Fred Lerner Policeman
- Shirley O'Hara Mrs. Norlon
- Jennifer Rhodes Elaine
- Buddy Lewis Man at Regal Burger
- William Bogert Ernie
- Herb Voland Morris Polk
- Alan McRae Officer Cass
- John Friedrich Kurt
- Alice Hirson Mrs. Blair
Show all 42 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ivy Bethune Woman at Regal Burger
- Barry Miller Domenic
- Tom Tarpey Mr. Sullivan
- Edward Cross Policeman at Accident
- Carol Locatell The Nurse
- Alan Haufrect Dr. Chekko
- Robina Suwol Receptionist
- Al Dunlap Ken
- Sean Roche Pat
- Jane Marla Robbins Nancy
- Paul Larson Minister
- Jack Kosslyn The Principal
- Richard Seff Mr. Perzik
- William Bronder Pinball Alley Manager
- Judith Searle Miss Franklin
- Susan Pratt Janie
- Anne Newman Bacal Judge Feinberg
- Harry Gold Mark
- Jesse Emmett Eddie
- Kathryn Ish Mrs. Sullivan
- Elinor Childs Waitress
- Sarah Jane Miller Woman Customer
More from Paul Wendkos
More films directed by Paul Wendkos, best-rated first: The Mephisto Waltz, A Match Made in Heaven, Message from Nam and Guilty Until Proven Innocent.
The Death of Richie Plot Summary
What happens in The Death of Richie from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
At the outset, a funeral unfolds in a broad suburban cemetery, where mourners gather around a casket as a eulogist speaks. An older couple, presumed to be the deceased’s parents, stand close, with the grief-stricken father weeping openly while the mother offers quiet comfort. The scene establishes a mood of restrained sorrow that threads through the rest of the story.
The film then shifts to a car speeding through a city street. Inside is Richie Werner, a 17-year-old whose life has already begun to tilt toward danger as he uses drugs with his friends. The driver, Brick, is pulled over by a police officer who offers him a passed-for-favor deal, a moment that foreshadows the volatile give-and-take between authority, risk, and family loyalties.
Full summary
The whole story of The Death of Richie, scene by scene
The Death of Richie Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Death of Richie.
How Well Do You Know The Death of Richie?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the first name of the 17‑year‑old protagonist?
Cars in The Death of Richie
15 cars on screen, including the 1966 Chevrolet Impala and the 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille.
-
1966 Chevrolet Impala Important role -
1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Minor role -
1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Estate Minor role -
1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Minor role
The Death of Richie Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Death of Ritchie” and “域治之死”.
- Also known as
-
- Death of Ritchie
- 域治之死
Seen The Death of Richie?
Movies Like The Death of Richie
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Rich, Death of a Son and What Richard Did.
The Death of Richie FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Death of Richie, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Death of Richie?
The Death of Richie runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was The Death of Richie released?
The Death of Richie was released on January 10, 1977.
Who directed The Death of Richie?
The Death of Richie was directed by Paul Wendkos.
More films by Paul Wendkos Who is in the cast of The Death of Richie?
The Death of Richie stars Robby Benson as Richie Werner, Ben Gazzara as George Werner and Charles Fleischer as Brick, among 42 credited actors.
Does The Death of Richie have a post-credit scene?
No. The Death of Richie has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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