Birch Interval Explained

Birch Interval
Director:Delbert Mann
Producer:Robert B. Radnitz
Starring:Eddie Albert
Rip Torn
Ann Wedgeworth
Anne Revere
Susan McClung
Music:Leonard Rosenman
Cinematography:Urs B. Furrer
Studio:Radnitz/Mattel Productions
Distributor:Gamma III Distribution Co.
Runtime:104 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Birch Interval is a 1976 American drama film written by Joanna Crawford, directed by Delbert Mann and starring Eddie Albert, Rip Torn, Ann Wedgeworth, Anne Revere and Susan McClung. It is based on Crawford's novel of the same name.

Cast

Release

The film was released in New York City on May 2, 1976.

Reception

Critics were generally not very kind to the film. Richard Eder of The New York Times gave the film a negative review, calling it "a painful embarrassment."[1]

Leonard Maltin awarded the film three stars, calling it a "Beautiful, sensitive film."[2]

Bernard Drew of The Journal News gave the film a negative review and wrote, "The big scenes--up until the end--seem to have already occurred or to happen offscreen. What is on is rarely very interesting. Nor are the motivations of a group of characters too complex for the simple framework of the movie always clear. Family movies may be many things but they should never be elliptical."[3]

Jerry Stein of The Cincinnati Post also gave the film a negative review and wrote, "Unfortunately, the reserved behavior of the characters brings a basic lifelessness to the film."[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Eder. Richard. 'Birch Interval,' Tale About Children. May 3, 1976. The New York Times. July 7, 2023. The central figure in "Birch Interval???" which opened yesterday at the 68th Street Playhouse....
  2. Book: Maltin, Leonard. Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide: The Modern Era, Previously Published as Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide. 2017. Penguin Publishing Group. 9780525536314. page 133
  3. News: Drew. Bernard. This interval is too long. May 4, 1976. The Journal News (Newspapers.com). July 7, 2023.
  4. News: Stein. Jerry. Film lacks peace, quiet. May 29, 1976. The Cincinnati Post (Newspapers.com). July 7, 2023.