Promises in the Dark (1979): cast, story & where to watch
1979 · Film · ★ 5.6
Released in 1979, Promises in the Dark is a drama film directed by Jerome Hellman, running about 118 minutes. “A remarkable film about the most disturbing subject of all.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s 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’s in it. Promises in the Dark stars Marsha Mason as Dr. Alexandra Kendall, Ned Beatty as Bud Koenig, Susan Clark as Fran Koenig and Michael Brandon as Dr. Jim Sandman, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.6/10, Promises in the Dark has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Promises in the Dark page.
If you liked it. Fans of Promises in the Dark tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Promises in the Dark (1979)?
- In US, Promises in the Dark is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Promises in the Dark worth watching?
- Promises in the Dark holds an audience score of 5.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Promises in the Dark?
- Promises in the Dark stars Marsha Mason, Ned Beatty, Susan Clark, Michael Brandon and Kathleen Beller.
- When was Promises in the Dark released?
- Promises in the Dark was released in 1979, with a runtime of about 118 minutes.