Echoes of a Summer

Echoes of a Summer
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDon Taylor
Written byRobert L. Joseph
StarringJodie Foster
Richard Harris
Lois Nettleton
Brad Savage
Geraldine Fitzgerald
CinematographyJohn Coquillon
Music byTerry James
Production
company
Distributed byUnited Artists
(theatrical release)
MGM
(current owner)
Release date
  • April 1976 (1976-04)
Running time
99 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Canada
LanguageEnglish
BudgetCAD 900,000

Echoes of a Summer is a 1976 Canadian-American family drama film directed by Don Taylor, based on the play Isle of Children by Robert L. Joseph, who also adapted the screenplay. It stars Jodie Foster, Richard Harris, Lois Nettleton, Brad Savage, and Geraldine Fitzgerald. The film follows; Deirdre Striden (Foster), a perceptive 11-year-old girl with an incurable heart ailment. Her mother, Ruth (Nettleton), wants to continue to take her to new doctors, although she knows that treatment is futile. Her father, Eugene (Harris), thinks she should be at their lake house, living in denial of her condition. It is only through her friendship with her 9-year-old neighbor, Philip (Savage), that Deirdre is able to honestly face the reality of death.

Echoes of a Summer was released in limited theatres in Canada in April 1976. Although mostly dismissed by the critics and audiences at the time of its release, the film was notable for an acclaimed performance by Foster, who also had her breakthrough that year with four prominent releases, including Taxi Driver.