en The Summer of Ben Tyler

*The Summer of Ben Tyler*
The Summer of Ben Tyler
	Promotional poster
Written by	Robert Inman
Directed by	Arthur Allan Seidelman
Starring	James Woods; Elizabeth McGovern; Len Cariou; Julia McIlvaine; Charles Mattocks; Kevin Isola; Clifton James; Anita Gillette;
Composer	Van Dyke Parks
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Richard Welsh; Ronnie D. Clemmer; Bill Pace; Richard P. Kughn; Sharon Cicero;
Producer	Dan Witt
Cinematography	Neil Roach
Editor	Toni Morgan
Running time	134 minutes
Production company	Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	December 15, 1996

The Summer of Ben Tyler is an American drama television film that premiered on CBS on December 15, 1996, as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame anthology series. The film is directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman and written by Robert Inman. It stars James Woods as an up-and-coming lawyer, alongside Elizabeth McGovern, Len Cariou, Julia McIlvaine, Charles Mattocks, Kevin Isola, Clifton James, and Anita Gillette. Woods received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance.^[1]

Cast

James Woods as Temple Rayburn
Elizabeth McGovern as Celia Rayburn
Len Cariou as Spencer Maitland
Julia McIlvaine as Nell Rayburn
Charles Mattocks as Ben Tyler
Kevin Isola as Junius Maitland
Clifton James as Sam Thompkins
Anita Gillette as Suellen
Millie Perkins as Doris
Jack Gilpin as Carter Glenn
Novella Nelson as Rosetta Tyler
Ed Grady as Dr. Ringgold
Ronn Carroll as Judge Kragen
Gregory Perrelli as Scooter Maitland
Judith Ivey as Narrator

Reception

Critical response

Ray Richmond of Variety gave the film a positive review, writing that "a sumptuously produced gem of a film with a refreshing message of moral heroism, The Summer of Ben Tyler is as poignant, heartwarming and superbly acted as any of the 189 previous Hallmark Hall of Fame productions."^[2] John J. O'Connor of The New York Times concluded his review by stating that the film "gets the familiar treatment: a fine cast and top-notch direction. If only the underlying story weren't so insufferably patronizing."^[3]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result
1997	1st Golden Satellite Awards	Best Miniseries or TV Film	The Summer of Ben Tyler	Nominated
	1st Golden Satellite Awards	Best Actor – Miniseries or TV Film	James Woods	Nominated
	54th Golden Globe Awards	Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film	James Woods	Nominated
	1st Art Directors Guild Awards	Excellence in Production Design Award – Television	Jan Scott Tim Eckel	Nominated
	18th Youth in Film Awards	Best Performance in a TV Movie or Mini Series: Young Actress	Julia McIlvaine	Nominated
	18th Youth in Film Awards	Best Family TV Movie or Mini Series: Network	The Summer of Ben Tyler	Nominated
1998	23rd Humanitas Awards	90 Minute or Longer Network or Syndicated Television	The Summer of Ben Tyler	Nominated
1998	50th Writers Guild of America Awards	Best Long Form – Original	Robert Inman	Won

References

^ "The Summer of Ben Tyler". Golden Globes. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
^ Richmond, Ray (December 10, 1996). "The Summer of Ben Tyler". Variety. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
^ O'Connor, John J. (December 13, 1996). "Black Youth's Summer to Remember". The New York Times. Retrieved December 25, 2022.

External links

[1] "The Summer of Ben Tyler". Golden Globes. Retrieved December 25, 2022.

[2] Richmond, Ray (December 10, 1996). "The Summer of Ben Tyler". Variety. Retrieved December 25, 2022.

[3] O'Connor, John J. (December 13, 1996). "Black Youth's Summer to Remember". The New York Times. Retrieved December 25, 2022.

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