Promises in the Dark
“A remarkable film about the most disturbing subject of all.”
Synopsis
A young doctor, Alexandra Kendall, seeking change while recovering from a recent heartbreak, moves from Chicago, Illinois to Hartford, Connecticut. She joins the West Hartford medical practice of Dr. Walter McInterny, a doctor approaching retirement age. 17-year-old Elizabeth "Buffy" Koenig is a precocious student at West Hartford's William Hall High School. Her boyfriend Gerry is a football player at Hall High. While Dr. McInterny is away on vacation, longtime patient Buffy hurts her leg while harmlessly kicking a soccer ball during Gerry's nearby football practice. At the hospital, Dr. Kendall finds that not only is the leg broken, but the bone was also weakened by cancer. Dr. Kendall treats Buffy and the two develop a bond that extends beyond the doctor-patient relationship; Dr. Kendall is drawn to Buffy's humor and raw honesty.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
November 2, 1979
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$5M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
Pending
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jerome Hellman
- Screenplay & Story
- Loring Mandel, Michael Friedman
- Original Score
- Leonard Rosenman
- Original Title
- Promises in the Dark
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 58m
- Production Budget
- $5M
- Production Studios
- Orion Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jerome Hellman
Loring Mandel, Michael Friedman
Leonard Rosenman
Adam Holender
Bob Wyman
Jerome Hellman, Sheldon Schrager
Department Leadership Roster
Jerome Hellman
Director
Loring Mandel
Writer
Adam Holender
Director of Photography
Bob Wyman
Editor
Jerome Hellman
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Promises in the Dark.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Promises in the Dark.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Promises in the Dark
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Promises in the Dark about?
A young doctor, Alexandra Kendall, seeking change while recovering from a recent heartbreak, moves from Chicago, Illinois to Hartford, Connecticut. She joins the West Hartford medical practice of Dr. Walter McInterny, a doctor approaching retirement age. 17-year-old Elizabeth "Buffy" Koenig is a precocious student at West Hartford's William Hall High School. Her boyfriend Gerry is a football player at Hall High. While Dr. McInterny is away on vacation, longtime patient Buffy hurts her leg while harmlessly kicking a soccer ball during Gerry's nearby football practice. At the hospital, Dr. Kendall finds that not only is the leg broken, but the bone was also weakened by cancer. Dr. Kendall treats Buffy and the two develop a bond that extends beyond the doctor-patient relationship; Dr. Kendall is drawn to Buffy's humor and raw honesty.
Who directed Promises in the Dark?
Promises in the Dark was directed by Jerome Hellman.
Who stars in Promises in the Dark?
The principal cast of Promises in the Dark includes Marsha Mason, Ned Beatty, Susan Clark, Michael Brandon, Kathleen Beller.
When was Promises in the Dark released and how long is it?
Promises in the Dark was released in 1979 with a total runtime of 1h 58m.
Who composed the musical score for Promises in the Dark?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Promises in the Dark was composed by Leonard Rosenman.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Promises in the Dark?
Promises in the Dark holds official age classifications: US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).