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New Factory-Sealed LD's Awakenings DSS WS 1990 NEW LaserDisc Robert De Niro Medical Drama

Awakenings DSS WS 1990 NEW LaserDisc Robert De Niro Medical Drama

Best LD Version, For the Best LaserDiscs Shop DaDon's

Awakenings DSS WS 1990 NEW LaserDisc Robert De Niro Medical Drama

Best LD Version, For the Best LaserDiscs Shop DaDon's

Rare Factory-Sealed, Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen, LaserDisc Movie Near-Mint Condition

$8.97

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Awakenings DSS WS 1990 NEW LaserDisc Robert De Niro Medical Drama

Best LD Version, For the Best LaserDiscs Shop DaDon's

Rare Factory-Sealed, Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen, LaserDisc Movie Near-Mint Condition

$8.97

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$8.97

Rare Factory-Sealed, Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen, LaserDisc Movie

Near-Mint Condition

Robin Williams and Robert De Niro in...

Awakenings

( Catalog Number 81526 )
(1.85:1) (3 Sides) (CLV) (CC) (NTSC)

LaserDisc Special Features

Best Version on LaserDisc

Awakenings
1990 - 120 min. - Color
Genre: Drama
Rated PG
Country: USA

LaserDisc Movie Storyline:
A pioneering neurologist wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculously wakes from his perpetual catatonic state. After his initial success, the hospital staff allows him to "wake" the other patients on the ward, who all make remarkable recoveries. But the "miracle" proves fleeting as, one by one, the patients return to their solitary, trance-like worlds.

LaserDisc Movie Review:
Based on a true story as related by neurologist Oliver Sacks, Awakenings stars Robin Williams as the Sacks counterpart, here named Dr. Malcolm Sayer. Something of a klutz and naif, Dr. Sayer takes a job at a Bronx psychiatric hospital in 1969. Here he put in charge of several seemingly catatonic patients-who, under Sayer's painstaking guidance, begin responding to certain stimulati. Apprised of the efficacy of a new drug called L-DOPA in treating degenerative-disease victims, Sayer is given permission to test the drug on one of his patients: Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), who has not communicated with anyone since lapsing into catatonia as a child. Gradually, Lowe comes out of his shell, encouraging Sayers to administer L-DOPA to the other patients under his care. The plus side of this is that these previously stone-silent human beings are now anxious to catch up to all the living that they've missed. Unfortunately, Lowe begins exhibiting bizarre and potentially dangerous side effects. In reducing Lowe's L-DOPA intake, Sayers discovers to his dismay that his patient is reverting to his previous mental state. There seems to be no "middle ground" for L-DOPA, but Sayers vows to continue trying with other "wonder drugs"-none of them, alas, any more successful. The doleful aspects of Awakenings are leavened by moments of genuine humor-not the manic ad-libbing indigenous to Robin Williams' previous performances, but the sort of humor that arises from the ins and outs of everyday life. --- Hal Erickson

Loosely based on a book by real-life neurologist Oliver Sacks, Awakenings (1990) marked the high point of a successful side career for Sacks as a chronicler of unusual medical case histories. Although the film too often displays the easy sentimentality typical of director Penny Marshall, and the plot pitted its heroes against mindless hospital bureaucrats in a tired effort to force an antagonist into the proceedings, the career-high performances of stars Robin Williams and Robert De Niro make it a must-see film. Cast against type, the two pros sink their teeth into their roles as, respectively, a shy genius and a man with a teenager's mind betrayed by a collection of physical tics and twitches. The actors were rewarded for their efforts with a rare tie as Best Actor from the National Board of Review, and the film was nominated for three Oscars. So memorable was Williams in the doctor role that he repeatedly returned to the well and played healers in numerous later films, including Dead Again (1991), Nine Months (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), What Dreams May Come (1998), and Patch Adams (1998). --- Karl Williams

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Cast for Awakenings

Robin Williams - Dr. Malcolm Sayer
Robert De Niro - Leonard Lowe
Julie Kavner - Eleanor Costello
Ruth Nelson - Mrs. Lowe
John Heard - Dr. Kaufman
Penelope Ann Miller - Paula
Alice Drummond - Lucy
Anthony J. Nici - Young Leonard Lowe
Paul Montgomery - Patient, 5th Ward
Tomislav Novakovic - Bartender
Judith Malina - Rose
Joan E. MacIntosh - Teacher
Harvey Miller - Hospital Director
Anne Meara - Miriam
George Martin - Frank
Anthony McGowen - Patient, 5th Ward
Richard Libertini - Sidney
Steve Vinovich - Ray
Byron Utley - Patient, 5th Ward
Libby Titus - Club Singer
Bradley Whitford - Dr. Tyler
Max Von Sydow - Dr. Peter Ingham
Gordon Joseph Weiss - Patient, 5th Ward
Vinny Pastore - Patient, 5th Ward
Steve Randazzo - Luis
Max Raven - Head Ward Orderly
Max Rabinowitz - Orderly, 5th Ward
Leonard Tepper - Patient, 5th Ward
Gary Tacon - George, Security Guard
Buck Smith - 2nd Leonard's Friend
Peter Stormare - Neurochemist
Mary Catherine Wright - Nurse Beth
Keith Diamond - Anthony
Chris Carolan - EEG Technician
Linda Burns - Fishsticks
Laura Esterman - Lolly
Le Chance DuRand - Magda
Rico Elias - 1st Orderly
Gwyllum Evans - Desmond
Mary Alice - Nurse Margaret
Waheedah Ahmad - Hysterical Woman
Yusef Bulos - Joseph
Adam Bryant - Librarian
Tanya Berezin - Psychiatrist
Oliver Block - 1st Leonard's Friend
Debra Kovner-Zaks - Cafeteria Nurse
Michael Hyde - Bus Driver
Christina Huertes - Christina
Barton Heyman - Bert
Charles Keating - Mr. Kean
Judy Jacksina - Hospital Receptionist
John Jones - Dr. Sullivan
Howard Feller - Patient, 5th Ward
Dexter Gordon - Rolando
Shane Fistell - Man in the Hall
Tiger Haynes - Janitor
Jayne Haynes - Frances
Mel Gorham - Nurse Sara
Gloria Harper - Dottie

Crew for Awakenings

Walter Parkes - Producer
Randy Newman - Composer (Music Score)
Bernadette Mazur - Makeup
Penny Marshall - Producer / Director
Amy Lemisch - Associate Producer
Les Lazarowitz - Sound/Sound Designer
Arne Schmidt - Producer
Steve Zaillian - Screenwriter
Paul W. Shapiro - Screenwriter
Oliver Sacks - Book Author
George De Titta, Jr. - Set Designer
Cynthia Flynt - Costume Designer
Battle Davis - Editor
Elliot Abbott - Producer
Lawrence Lasker - Producer
Ilona Herman - Makeup
Jere Huggins - Editor
Anton Furst - Production Designer
Bill Groom - Art Director
Jerry Greenberg - Editor

Awards for Awakenings

Best Actor (nom) Robert De Niro 1990 Academy
Best Adapted Screenplay (nom) Steve Zaillian 1990 Academy
Best Picture (nom) 1990 Academy
Best Actor (Drama) (nom) Robin Williams 1991 Golden Globe

Feature Details

Title: Awakenings
Feature Release Date: 1990
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Color: Color
Runtime: 120 Minutes
Chapters: 60
Picture: Letterboxed
Ratio: 1.85:1
Playback Format: CLV

IMDB Info...

Technical Details

LD Release Date: 28 May 1996
Catalog Number: 81526
UPC: 043396815261
ISBN: 0-8001-8626-5
Manufacturer: DADC USA
Publisher: Columbia Tri-Star Video

Diameter: 12"
Sides: 3
Cover: Jacket
Closed Caption: English
Spoken Language: English
Country: USA
Video Format: NTSC

Model: 81526-N
Shipping Weight: 2 lbs
0 in Stock

Rare Factory-Sealed, Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen, LaserDisc Movie

Near-Mint Condition

Robin Williams and Robert De Niro in...

Awakenings

( Catalog Number 81526 )
(1.85:1) (3 Sides) (CLV) (CC) (NTSC)

LaserDisc Special Features

Best Version on LaserDisc

Awakenings
1990 - 120 min. - Color
Genre: Drama
Rated PG
Country: USA

LaserDisc Movie Storyline:
A pioneering neurologist wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculously wakes from his perpetual catatonic state. After his initial success, the hospital staff allows him to "wake" the other patients on the ward, who all make remarkable recoveries. But the "miracle" proves fleeting as, one by one, the patients return to their solitary, trance-like worlds.

LaserDisc Movie Review:
Based on a true story as related by neurologist Oliver Sacks, Awakenings stars Robin Williams as the Sacks counterpart, here named Dr. Malcolm Sayer. Something of a klutz and naif, Dr. Sayer takes a job at a Bronx psychiatric hospital in 1969. Here he put in charge of several seemingly catatonic patients-who, under Sayer's painstaking guidance, begin responding to certain stimulati. Apprised of the efficacy of a new drug called L-DOPA in treating degenerative-disease victims, Sayer is given permission to test the drug on one of his patients: Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), who has not communicated with anyone since lapsing into catatonia as a child. Gradually, Lowe comes out of his shell, encouraging Sayers to administer L-DOPA to the other patients under his care. The plus side of this is that these previously stone-silent human beings are now anxious to catch up to all the living that they've missed. Unfortunately, Lowe begins exhibiting bizarre and potentially dangerous side effects. In reducing Lowe's L-DOPA intake, Sayers discovers to his dismay that his patient is reverting to his previous mental state. There seems to be no "middle ground" for L-DOPA, but Sayers vows to continue trying with other "wonder drugs"-none of them, alas, any more successful. The doleful aspects of Awakenings are leavened by moments of genuine humor-not the manic ad-libbing indigenous to Robin Williams' previous performances, but the sort of humor that arises from the ins and outs of everyday life. --- Hal Erickson

Loosely based on a book by real-life neurologist Oliver Sacks, Awakenings (1990) marked the high point of a successful side career for Sacks as a chronicler of unusual medical case histories. Although the film too often displays the easy sentimentality typical of director Penny Marshall, and the plot pitted its heroes against mindless hospital bureaucrats in a tired effort to force an antagonist into the proceedings, the career-high performances of stars Robin Williams and Robert De Niro make it a must-see film. Cast against type, the two pros sink their teeth into their roles as, respectively, a shy genius and a man with a teenager's mind betrayed by a collection of physical tics and twitches. The actors were rewarded for their efforts with a rare tie as Best Actor from the National Board of Review, and the film was nominated for three Oscars. So memorable was Williams in the doctor role that he repeatedly returned to the well and played healers in numerous later films, including Dead Again (1991), Nine Months (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), What Dreams May Come (1998), and Patch Adams (1998). --- Karl Williams

Thanks for Visiting DaDon's !

Reviews, Articles, Newsletter and Information for Movies on LaserDisc LD Laser Disc, LazerDisc.

Cast for Awakenings

Robin Williams - Dr. Malcolm Sayer
Robert De Niro - Leonard Lowe
Julie Kavner - Eleanor Costello
Ruth Nelson - Mrs. Lowe
John Heard - Dr. Kaufman
Penelope Ann Miller - Paula
Alice Drummond - Lucy
Anthony J. Nici - Young Leonard Lowe
Paul Montgomery - Patient, 5th Ward
Tomislav Novakovic - Bartender
Judith Malina - Rose
Joan E. MacIntosh - Teacher
Harvey Miller - Hospital Director
Anne Meara - Miriam
George Martin - Frank
Anthony McGowen - Patient, 5th Ward
Richard Libertini - Sidney
Steve Vinovich - Ray
Byron Utley - Patient, 5th Ward
Libby Titus - Club Singer
Bradley Whitford - Dr. Tyler
Max Von Sydow - Dr. Peter Ingham
Gordon Joseph Weiss - Patient, 5th Ward
Vinny Pastore - Patient, 5th Ward
Steve Randazzo - Luis
Max Raven - Head Ward Orderly
Max Rabinowitz - Orderly, 5th Ward
Leonard Tepper - Patient, 5th Ward
Gary Tacon - George, Security Guard
Buck Smith - 2nd Leonard's Friend
Peter Stormare - Neurochemist
Mary Catherine Wright - Nurse Beth
Keith Diamond - Anthony
Chris Carolan - EEG Technician
Linda Burns - Fishsticks
Laura Esterman - Lolly
Le Chance DuRand - Magda
Rico Elias - 1st Orderly
Gwyllum Evans - Desmond
Mary Alice - Nurse Margaret
Waheedah Ahmad - Hysterical Woman
Yusef Bulos - Joseph
Adam Bryant - Librarian
Tanya Berezin - Psychiatrist
Oliver Block - 1st Leonard's Friend
Debra Kovner-Zaks - Cafeteria Nurse
Michael Hyde - Bus Driver
Christina Huertes - Christina
Barton Heyman - Bert
Charles Keating - Mr. Kean
Judy Jacksina - Hospital Receptionist
John Jones - Dr. Sullivan
Howard Feller - Patient, 5th Ward
Dexter Gordon - Rolando
Shane Fistell - Man in the Hall
Tiger Haynes - Janitor
Jayne Haynes - Frances
Mel Gorham - Nurse Sara
Gloria Harper - Dottie

Crew for Awakenings

Walter Parkes - Producer
Randy Newman - Composer (Music Score)
Bernadette Mazur - Makeup
Penny Marshall - Producer / Director
Amy Lemisch - Associate Producer
Les Lazarowitz - Sound/Sound Designer
Arne Schmidt - Producer
Steve Zaillian - Screenwriter
Paul W. Shapiro - Screenwriter
Oliver Sacks - Book Author
George De Titta, Jr. - Set Designer
Cynthia Flynt - Costume Designer
Battle Davis - Editor
Elliot Abbott - Producer
Lawrence Lasker - Producer
Ilona Herman - Makeup
Jere Huggins - Editor
Anton Furst - Production Designer
Bill Groom - Art Director
Jerry Greenberg - Editor

Awards for Awakenings

Best Actor (nom) Robert De Niro 1990 Academy
Best Adapted Screenplay (nom) Steve Zaillian 1990 Academy
Best Picture (nom) 1990 Academy
Best Actor (Drama) (nom) Robin Williams 1991 Golden Globe

Feature Details

Technical Details

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Awakenings LaserDisc, Rare LaserDiscs Widescreen Editions Laser Disc

Awakenings DSS WS 1990 NEW LaserDisc Robert De Niro Medical Drama

Rare Factory-Sealed, Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen, LaserDisc Movie

LaserDisc Special Features

Rare Factory-Sealed, Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen, LaserDisc Movie

LaserDisc Special Features

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