The Gathering 1977

Adam Thornton, Ed Asner, is a grumpy, ill-tempered executive who walked out on his wife and family years ago. His doctor, Dr. Hodges, John Randolph, tells him he has only a short time left to live — 30 to 90 days. He decides to make peace and arrange one last reunion of the family at Christmas before he dies. He confides this to his estranged wife Kate Maureen Stapleton, who suggests they call their four adult children and invite them all home for Christmas, keeping the news of his illness to themselves for the moment.

Adam agrees to this plan, but only on the condition that the children are not told about his illness. The major problem is that most of them are not exactly fond of their father, not only because he walked out on their mother, but also because he has an ill-tempered and stubborn nature. Adam is nervous about seeing his adult children again, including the eldest son Tom Lawrence Pressman, who ultimately figures out why his father invited them all home for the holidays. However, Adam is the most nervous about seeing Bud Jr., Gregory Harrison, to whom he hasn’t spoken for several years since he had an angry argument with Bud regarding the Vietnam War and Bud’s subsequent move to Canada in order to avoid the draft.