On June 20, 2024, Kiefer Sutherland took to social media to announce that Hollywood had lost yet another legendary actor, Donald Sutherland, at the old age of 88 after a long illness.
Veteran actor Donald Sutherland served the showbiz industry for over six decades while giving blockbuster hits like The Hunger Games, M*A*S*H, Animal House, etc.
With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more… pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 20, 2024
In 1983, Kiefer Sutherland, following in the footsteps of his father, Donald Sutherland, ventured into acting with a debut film, Max Dugan Returns, in which the father-son duo shared the screen together for the first time.
Since then, Donald and Kiefer Sutherland have worked in several movies together, including Forsaken (2013) and A Time to Kill (1996).
Max Dugan Returns
Directed by Herbert Ross, Max Dugan Returns is a 1983 comedy-drama film starring Donald Sutherland, Jason Robards, and Marsha Mason.
Albeit briefly, Kiefer Sutherland also debuted in the movie as Bill, while his father played the supporting role of Brian Costello.
The lightweight comedy movie revolves around Nora McPhee, a struggling single mother, and her long-lost father, Max Dugan, who returns with a suitcase filled with dollar bills years after abandoning his family to compensate for the lost time.
While the movie did not particularly become a box office hit, as it collected $17.6 million, making it the 40th top-grossing film, it did gather positive acclaim from film critics for the cast’s performance.
Max Dugan Returns
IMDb Comedy DramaStruggling single mother Nora McPhee’s life is disrupted when her long-lost father, Max Dugan, returns in hopes of spending some time with her and her son, Michael, to make up for lost time because Max is dying.
| Director | Herbert Ross |
| Release Date | March 25, 1983 |
| Studio | P20th Century Studios |
| Cast | Jason Robards, Marsha Mason, Donald Sutherland |
| Writers | Neil Simon |
| Runtime | 1 hour 38 minutes |
| Rating | PG |
A Time to Kill
The 1996 A Time to Kill is a Joel Schumacher movie based on John Grisham’s novel of the same name.
Alongside Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, and Samuel L. Jackson, Donald and Kiefer Sutherland also starred together in the movie.
While Donald played the character of Lucien Wilbanks, a seasoned attorney, and mentor to Jake Brigance, Kiefer played the role of Freddie Lee Cobb.
A Time to Kill is a crime thriller that explores racial tension, justice, and moral dilemmas. The plot delves deeper into the young lawyer Jake Brigance and his legal quest to help a black father, Carl Lee Hailey, who murdered two white men that raped his ten-year-old daughter Tonya.
The movie was a big hit commercially, with a $152 million worldwide box office collection. However, it received mixed reviews from critics and fans.
A Time to Kill
IMDb Crime Drama ThrillerIn Canton, Mississippi, young lawyer Jake Brigance and his aide Harry Vonner defend black Carl Lee Hailey, accused of killing two white men who raped his ten-year-old daughter, Tonya, inciting violent retribution from John Grisham’s novel.
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
| Release Date | July 24, 1996 |
| Studio | Regency Enterprises |
| Cast | Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson |
| Writers | John Grisham, Akiva Goldsman |
| Runtime | 2 hours 29 minutes |
| Rating | R |
Forsaken
While the Sutherland duo of Donald and Kiefer had previously worked together in movies, they had not shared the scene. However, the 2015 film Forsaken became their first movie featuring them in the lead roles.
Late actor Donald played Reverend Samuel Clayton, while his son, Kiefer, played the role of John Henry Clayton. Interestingly, just like in real life, the characters in the movie Forsaken were also father and son.
Directed by Jon Cassar, the Western action film Forsaken, set in 1872, explores the story of a gunslinger named John Henry Clayton who hopes to mend his relationship with his estranged father, Reverend Samuel Clayton, all while protecting the town from a local gang.
Although there’s not much information about its box office collection, it did premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival and was nominated for five categories at the 4th Canadian Screen Awards.
The film received mixed reviews, and many labeled it average. Currently, Forsaken has an IMDb rating of 6.4/10 from over 14,000 user reviews and a 40% rating on the Tomatometer from 43 reviews.
Forsaken
IMDb Action Drama WesternIn 1872, an embittered gunslinger named John Henry Clayton attempted to make amends with his estranged father, Reverend Samuel Clayton, while their community was in danger from ruthless land-grabbers.
| Director | Jon Cassar |
| Release Date | February 19, 2016 |
| Studio | Mind’s Eye Entertainment |
| Cast | Esther Purves-Smith, Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland |
| Writers | Brad Mirman, Tari |
| Runtime | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Rating | R |
