I first saw it ~1980'ish, I was a bit older and it gave me a massive lump in my throat, and still does in my mid 50's.

Right there with you. At the time it was the saddest thing I'd ever seen. It's stuck with me all these years.

Yep. One of a few times we pinned my Dad to the wall with Big questions, and he had to get very philosophical about the meaning of life, loss, and the collective realization of our mortality.