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Whose Life Is It Anyway? poster
7.0 / 10(52 votes)IMDbR19811h 59m$6.1M Worldwide GrossUnited States of America

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

“The ultimate drama in the human comedy.”

Synopsis

Ken Harrison is an artist that lives to make sculptures. One day he is involved in a car accident, and is paralyzed from his neck down. All he can do is talk and move his head, and he wants to die. Whilst he is in hospital he makes friends with some of the staff, and they support him when he goes to trial to be allowed to die.

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Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes

Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.

Whose Life is it Anyway? - Theatrical TrailerOfficial

Type: Trailer • Published 2015-05-06

Release History & Theatrical Window

Theatrical Premiere

December 2, 1981

Wide Cinema Exhibition

Financials & Box Office Performance

ReleasedUnderperformed (0.53x ROI)

Production Budget

$11.5M

Filming & production cost

Worldwide Gross

$6.1M

Total global ticket sales

Box Office Return

0.53x

-$5.4M deficit

Theatrical Status

Budget Return

Box office tier

Budget: $11.5MWorldwide: $6.1M

Key Information & Fast Facts

Director
John Badham
Screenplay & Story
Brian Clark, Reginald Rose
Original Score
Arthur B. Rubinstein
Original Title
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
Country of Origin
United States of America
Spoken Languages
Spanish, English
Runtime
1h 59m
Production Budget
$11.5M
Worldwide Gross
$6.1M
Production Studios
SLM Production Group, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Cooney/Schute Productions

Creative Leadership & Key Crew

Director

John Badham

Screenplay & Story

Brian Clark, Reginald Rose

Original Score & Music

Arthur B. Rubinstein

Director of Photography

Mario Tosi

Department Leadership Roster

Brian Clark

Screenplay

John Badham

John Badham

Director

Reginald Rose

Screenplay

Conrad E. Palmisano

Conrad E. Palmisano

Stunt Coordinator

Arthur B. Rubinstein

Arthur B. Rubinstein

Original Music Composer

Mario Tosi

Mario Tosi

Director of Photography

Age Classification & Content Advisories

Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.

Primary: R

R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

International Certification Matrix

Germany (FSK)12

FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.

United States (MPAA)R

Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Official cinematic photography and background stills for Whose Life Is It Anyway?.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.

What is Whose Life Is It Anyway? about?

Ken Harrison is an artist that lives to make sculptures. One day he is involved in a car accident, and is paralyzed from his neck down. All he can do is talk and move his head, and he wants to die. Whilst he is in hospital he makes friends with some of the staff, and they support him when he goes to trial to be allowed to die.

Who directed Whose Life Is It Anyway??

Whose Life Is It Anyway? was directed by John Badham.

Who stars in Whose Life Is It Anyway??

The principal cast of Whose Life Is It Anyway? includes Richard Dreyfuss, John Cassavetes, Christine Lahti, Bob Balaban, Kenneth McMillan.

When was Whose Life Is It Anyway? released and how long is it?

Whose Life Is It Anyway? was released in 1981 with a total runtime of 1h 59m.

What was the box office and production budget of Whose Life Is It Anyway??

Whose Life Is It Anyway? had a reported production budget of $11.5M and grossed $6.1M at the worldwide box office (0.53 return on budget, classified as a underperformed).

Who composed the musical score for Whose Life Is It Anyway??

The original motion picture soundtrack for Whose Life Is It Anyway? was composed by Arthur B. Rubinstein.

What is the age rating and content advisory for Whose Life Is It Anyway??

Whose Life Is It Anyway? holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).