A private memoir about a father who was a public figure is the origin of Death Be Not Proud. John Gunther noted author and war correspondent wrote this at first to be distributed privately among relatives and friends. Someone persuaded him to let it go public. The various biographies and geographical treatises he's done have never had the enduring value that this tale of his terminally ill son, namesake, and only child.It's the roughest thing in the world to lose a child my mother lost one of my siblings so I have first hand knowledge. How much rougher was it for John and Frances Gunther to lose their only son and a kid of such promise.Young Johnny Gunther a brilliant student has had limited contact with his dad who has been reporting World War II from over in Europe. Their reunion in 1946 is joyous but then marked with tragedy as this 16 year old is diagnosed with a brain tumor. The film is about the struggle the parents witness over the next two years hoping against hope that young Johnny will lick this thing.Arthur Hill, Jane Alexander, and Robby Benson play parents and child and it's a trio that is absolutely flawless in their performances. This should have been released to the big screen, it is one of the best made for TV films ever done.I wonder if John Gunther got the idea for the private memoir from the Kennedy family when young JFK wrote the memoir about the older brother who was killed in World War II. Maybe we'll see that one go public.Death Be Not Proud was part of the high school curriculum when I was there. I understand it still is, hopefully accompanied by a DVD of this fine film.

I was 11yrs old when I saw this movie and I'm now 46yrs old. It touched me dearly and I've loved Robby Benson the rest of my life so far. I agree with all reviews on this movie it's High Emotion and my Empathy for this character is still impressed on my mind and WHERE CAN I GET IT ON DVD. If they put all these useless TV movies on DVD, Why not this one its worth so much more than the others! I have for years told the story to everyone about the movie Robby Benson stared in and he played this boy that was very sick and I couldn't have a conversation with anyone about it because no one had ever seen it. I am so glad to see a few others remember this wonderful movie and wish it could cause a least a cult following like some movies do experience. Robby B. was great in this movie. I've also enjoyed the rest of his he has stared in and directed or produced.

I have yet to read the book, but the compelling story of Johnny Gunther's struggle to maintain normalcy is something to take note of. Robby Benson gives a sweet and emotional performance as Johnny, a teenager suddenly inflicted with a malignant brain tumor. There were times i wanted to just yell at his parents for their callousness, but you do realize they did love him and tried every means possible to save his life. There could have been more emotion on their part, especially with such a charged and enthusiastic person Robby made the son Johnny, who is too often neglected by his father. However the cast did very well with the material they had I'm sure. This one is not to be missed. It may be out of print.

"Death Be Not Proud" is a fine film which is based on the memoir of the same name. If you've never read the book, you ought to. In the film, Robby Benson gives a wonderful performance, as does Arthur Hill. This is a story that has stayed close to my heart for nearly 25 years now. Rent it today and you'll never forget it. Trust me.