The Summer of Ben Tyler

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.

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." 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."