After the Promise (1987 TV Movie) User Reviews

A very moving, sad story, well acted

[Melm · 9/10 · 13 March 1999]

This portrayal of a depression era worker, left to bring up his children after his wife died is extremely moving. It is well acted, and you really feel for the extremely frustrating time the hero encounters while he tried to re-group his whole family who are unceremoniously removed "into care". The children endure horrific abuse, but, eventually Mark Harmon, whose acting is excellent in this movie, manages to bring all of his children home. UPDATE: September 2012 - for all those who want to acquire this movie - there are dvds available on ebay. Not sure why IMDb wants me to make this review longer - it was shorter before I added the update, and yet now apparently it isn't long enough. it's long enough to tell people how greatly moving this story is. One of my all time favourite movies

Heart rendering and very moving

[mec-23 · 8/10 · 16 August 2005]

This was a great period piece. I cry every time I watch and recommend it to every parent. This reinforces a father's love. It gives hope for the meaning of family. It also makes one happy not to live in those conditions and circumstances. Be happy for who we are and in what time we live. This is a celebration of family. It is a wonderful Father's Day movie. I wish more movies were made of this caliber and less of the dirty little secrets caliber. It made the point that even among monsters angels tread! For every one needs an angel to watch over them and their families.

Please, watch this movie with your father or husband

I have no words

[juliekimani · 8/10 · 24 March 2007]

I watched this movie a long time ago but remember every detail of it. I unfortunately learned it was true after the end. This is one of those few stories you hope to believe are not real but are.The absolute most saddest thing for any Father to go through especially after having just lost a wife but given this was the 1930's nothing is too surprising; It's an absolute horror the unfortunate and unnecessary treatment the boys have to endure and their eventual outcome.I could not even believe these events actually happened or how they were allowed to happen but to our horror they did. I hope there has been no such other painful incident as this one, Jackson was truly a strong and persistent Father. Nonetheless the story has a bitter-sweet ending. Overall guaranteed to make you cry.

A True Likeness

[cotton-candy · 1 August 2001]

I can not describe the true likeness portrayed by all the charactors of the "Jackson" Family. I know because in reality the "Jackson's" are the "Armstrong's". Ellis was in fact a depiction of twin boys, Ellis and Elmer. Elmer, is my father. It was to say the least comforting to watch Mark Hammel potray my Grandpa. He had all his mannerisms down pat! And the most amaizing part of that was, my grandpa had been gone for years.

Yes folks, this horrific thing really happened! These men were destroyed forever. My father is probably the only one who came out of this with an attitude of "I Will!". I just wish to say thank you to the cast for bringing my family's trials to life. ad a better understanding of why my dad had a difficult time being a family man. Cathy

A small masterpiece

[jaykay-10 · 10/10 · 25 November 2002]

We are all victims of "circumstances," trying to cope as best we can with forces beyond our control that may determine the course our lives take, for better or worse. That is why virtually everyone will be touched by this heart-rending picture, a story of decent people trapped by conditions that turn them into victims. There is no happy ending - only a partially satisfying resolution of a struggle which demonstrates the courage and determination that people must sometimes look for within themselves, and hope to find.

Everything about this film is handled with the extreme sensitivity its theme deserves.

Touches the heart like no other movie.

[lauralynn8-1 · 10/10 · 5 July 2006]

When I first viewed the movie After the Promise over fifteen years ago I was a teenager and I have never forgotten the movie nor it's impact on my life, softening my heart enabling me to believe that there is a powerful unconditional love that exists in the uni verse. I saw it on video with my younger sister we both cried plenty throughout the movie. Later that year while visiting relatives in Adelaide for Christ mas we hired it out from a video rental shop to show a couple of cousins the movie, they too cried. I hope to be able to acquire a video or DVD of excellent quality some day to show others the movie. It is an amazing movie that is an amazing true story full of faith, love and hope. All the child actors and the leading role of Mark Harmon were brilliant. Mark Harmon has had an awesome career and I pray that the child actors have also had blessed and fulfilled lives. Laura H - Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia.

My Favorite Movie

[lesley44 · 10/10 · 14 June 2005]

I just wanted to say that this movie was the best i have seen in a long time. It has so many different emotions in it. I think it is one of Mark Harmons best movies. The only problem i have is i cant get it on DVD only have it on video.So i think everyone should watch this movie and let me know what they thought of it.. It really makes u think what it must of been like for single parents in that day and age mind u it hasn't changed a lot. I cant believe they would do that to children even then. But i do think everyone should watch it like i said it was one of Mark Harmons best movies.. Can anyone help me get this great movie on DVD please let me know as i cant get it here in Australia thanks.

buhuhu

[rainbowdelacruz · 10/10 · 2 December 2002]

I just wanna say that it was the most tearjerking movie I have ever seen. And believe me...Ive seen alot of sad movies. Its so terrible what happened to this family. What a cruel world we live in. Everyone who'll see this movie would shed a tear!!!

This movie should be on DVD

[marita-nicolaisen · 10/10 · 9 August 2006]

I saw this movie for the first time when I was about 12 years old, me and my friend talked about this movie for several years, and then we had to rent it one more time a few years later. It's the most frustrating, horrible, sad and true story I've ever seen. I will never forget the story even though its been over ten years ago. I can still imagine the boys' eyes, the fathers frustration and the "evil" people around them. You just want to be a part of the movie, help them - do something, everybody can see that they're treated wrong. I recommend this movie, because I think it's important to see what happened before to poor single-parents and their children. I cant understand why this movie never was released on DVD. I'm sure it would sell! Marita

Overrated and tries to hard

[Eddie_weinbauer · 3/10 · 21 November 2014]

AS a drama I would say this movie tries to hard,even for a TV movie. Mark Harmon is a fairly good actor,but he don't have much to work with her.Instead of focusing on acting to carry the story,they focus heavily on emotion in stead. It could have been a good movie about a father's struggle to raise 4 kids, but they make him look down right dumb. Scenes where he could have cleared up much of the misunderstanding he just beat around the bush. *********************************Warning spoilers******************* Like the scene were the state has given him a nanny(something they said they couldn't do after all,yet she's there when he get home.)Instead of complaining that they sent him a whore,whom he caught turning trix. HE just keeps he's mouth shut until he's in court and its way to late to protest. If you wanna watch a good movie with good acting and great story watch natty gann,this one however is juts made to be a tearjerker

touching

[sbrnnxn · 15 April 2003]

I hate that this movie is not available anywhere because I would definately add it to my movie collection. Every time I saw this movie it made me cry because instead of the family services helping the father in his time of need, they made his situation worse by taking his children away. This story is similar to what's going on today-DCFS is so quick to take children from their homes and place them with strangers instead of really showing compassion on the troubled parent. Mark Harmon really did a great performance, as I really wasn't aware of him prior to this movie.

Gutwrenching movie

[mjbrok · 10/10 · 4 July 2009]

This is one of the saddest movies ever with a somewhat happy ending. My husband and I were outraged that the system could have treated this family so badly. Like another viewer stated - we wanted to jump into the movie to help this family when the system wouldn't (I have a similar story to tell with my family back in 1919 and I now understand why the children were put up for adoption). We both cried as he tries to get back his children. The end of the movie provides hope that they will have a happy life in the future. Mark Harmon was wonderful; as were the actors who portrayed the children. FYI: I recently purchased this on VHS from Amazon. I am trying to locate Cathy Armstrong Inscore to see if she ever published her book. I am unable to find any information.

Absolutely superb

[khurramakhtar · 10/10 · 4 November 2018]

Have watched this so many times and got tears rollout from my eyes everytime.

Best movie n highly recommended if u are in to drama movies

So emotional!

[soynaniinr · 9/10 · 22 October 2018]

I basically cried the whole way through, from beginning to end. What a disturbing and sad story. I'm an emotional wreck right now. Nonetheless a good movie and of course Mark Harmon is phenomenal!

This movie can now be seen on YouTube

[julie-82979 · 10/10 · 5 February 2018]

So many people have been wanting to find this movie. It can now be seen on YouTube.

After The Promise

[patricia-bahrs · 10/10 · 11 December 2007]

Super excellent film I am seeking for a copy Video or DVD compatible for German or French system's. I would like to show this film to my daughter. I already told her about. Maybe somebody can help me . Even after 20 years this theme is actual. A lot of parents have the same problems in Europe and nobody is helping. I had nearly the same problem just because someone told stories and did not know my life style.

My daughter an me are living together since her birth and we are doing very well. I have my job and she is learning. We both speak French German Dutch and English. But somebody told the social assistant I do not work and my daughter is always ill ... and then the stress began.. see the film and you know how the social system is in Europe.

The Grand-Daughter

[hi-tweety-19191919 · 3 October 2012]

My name is Brittney Armstrong. I am the grand-daughter of Ellis Melvin Armstrong. My grandmother Sheila was once married to Ellis, She has told me the whole story of the Armstrong's and my grandfather. I believe this story with my heart. I never got to meet my grandfather, He was not around in my day, and i have seen this movie and loved it. My grandmother has pointed out some things that have changed in the movie but overall i believe it is true. If anyone see's this posting of the Armstrong's please contact me on facebook or other ways. My facebook name is Brittney Armstrong Picture of my fiancé and I. I live in Madras, Oregon. Please contact me i would love to meet some family.

One of best films ever

[mako_coma · 10/10 · 24 January 2007]

I have seen this movie for the first time when I was a child at the age of 10 on a TV screen. Luckely, I taped it then and I have it. Every now and then I like to see it again, because I find it is one of the best movies ever. It strikes me to find out it is a true life story even more. Also, I like to show it to all my friends, a specially male, because it brings me joy to see how this film affects on human feelings. As by the rule - everyone who see it - cries. And, as you know, it is not so likely to see grown men cry. This is the film, as I think, everyone should see in his teen years because it makes better person of everyone who has that fortune.

This family's destiny stays with me forever!

[minmagi50 · 10/10 · 26 September 2010]

This movie is unforgettable! Fortunately I was able to tape it from Danish TV some years ago. I cry every time I watch it. It's just so cruel what those boys had to go through! I understand that the granddaughter of 'Elmer Jackson' has posted comments here indicating that the ending was not at all as happy as indicated in the movie. I would love to hear the true story, if she'll ever write it. I hope she'll get back to this site with a website, where one might reach her for more information. Mark Harmon does an awesome job in the movie as do all of the boy-actors. I do want to also emphasize Diana Scarwid. She is perfect as the new wife of Elmer and stepmother for all the molested boys. Loving, understanding and empathic. Was she based on a real person? And did little Melissa really exist? If so - how was her life? How did the boys' tragedy affect her, their half-sister - if she really existed?

My heart bleeds for that family - and for all molested and abused children of the world - whom this movie portrays so perfectly and heartbreaking. Lotte Aagesen, Denmark

The Best Movie Ever

[lisa-tddc · 10/10 · 21 October 2009]

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen in my entire life! They need to put it on DVD!!! I am a person who has never in my life cried in a movie until I saw this tear jerker. I watched this movie when I was an adolescent and the memories of this movie are still with me today! I loved it! Mark Harmon was great in this film! I wish that this movie was available so that my children could watch this film. This film was about a man struggling to get his children back after they were taken by the state. The struggle that he and his children all went through was horrific. This is a real tear jerker, for someone who does not cry easily in films! Great Great Movie!

Searched for years for this movie suggestion for others that are similar

[hyattjenny18 · 10/10 · 23 January 2022]

I saw this movie a couple times when it first aired back in the 90's. I knew the name but couldn't find it anywhere. I have done numerous IMDb searches as well as searching the title but never came up with the movie just found it on YouTube once finding out who the actor was I was able to find the movie. I recall it was a very sad based on actual events story. Similar stories include Million Dollar Babies based on the Dion quints, Marg Helenburger did one called Where are my Children, Lea Thompson did one called Stolen Babies, Tyne Daily, Gerald McRaney, and Alicia Silverstone did one called Scattered Dreams, their are others but these are the ones I have watched they are all good movies that are based on actual events where a governmental entity took children from the parents.

Best Weepy Ever

[mma1070 · 10/10 · 6 March 2007]

I watched this movie years ago when you could hire videos and my friends and i would rent the weepy ones. We all cried buckets over this film and have watched it many many times since. We all cry more because we know what is going to happen to the family. It is based on a true story which makes it more sad. I tried for years to buy it on video then DVD but it is a shame you can't buy it. I do have a copy that i taped when it was on TV years ago and i still do watch it from time to time and still cry buckets. The father plays a brilliant part as do all the kids and it certainly leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you see how social work played a terrible part in a family being split apart with terrible consequences.

Saddest Film Ever

[Forcanduls · 7 January 2009]

I managed see this film many years ago and remembered it starred Mark Harmon. Years later, after many attempts of trying to track it down, I eventually found a DVD and purchased it.

This film, is quite possibly, the saddest film YOU WILL EVER SEE! I'm male, and don't apologise for the fact that I sobbed like a little child throughout. Here is a man who suffered adversity after adversity, yet he never gave up hope. A man who makes a promise and keeps to it. And to think the events actually happened - appalling.

If you ever get the chance to buy a copy - do so. Incidentally, I purchased my copy after searching the title on Ebay. Good luck.

Heartwrenching

[gelashe · 10/10 · 9 June 2008]

Like many of the other commenters, I finally got a copy of this VHS after my original went bad. I too, never forgot this movie and how strong the story line was and the emotion it made you feel.

It starts out with the Jackson family having a picnic and the mother looking like she's in pretty bad health. Soon after she is rushed to the hospital, but it is too late - she is too far gone. Due to her religious beliefs, she refused prior medical help.

Her husband, being left with 4 young boys, tries to procure some type of financial aid or a temporary babysitter. He goes to the local government office, where after being repeatedly told the children would be better off in foster care - they agree to give him a babysitter on a temporary basis. Coming home from work, he finds his boys outside, locked out because they are not allowed in when a man is inside.

That issue is immediately resolved but Elmer Jackson has a quick temper and is very free with his hands. After physically throwing the man and woman out, we are taken to the Welfare office where charges are made against Mr. Jackson for physical abuse against the babysitter in addition, she rants that he is crazy and his kids are out of control. The children are immediately taken away. They are placed in the hospital's isolation unit where Mr. Jackson creates a huge ruckus, coming in knocking things over and yelling. He is physically removed and barred from the hospital, appearing in court thereafter. The boys are placed in what looks like a nice foster home for 9 months and are allowed a visit after the 9 month period passes. Mr. Jackson, armed with gifts shows up and the boys are overjoyed. However the youngest, automatically walks to the car to go home whereby all the boys state the same desire. So off they go and the foster mother notifies the Police. They are stopped and Mr. Jackson again displays his temper and is beaten by the cop once again going to court.

Three of boys are put in a place where the administrator says they "should have been from the beginning, where boys like them belong". It is a home for the mentally retarded. Which based on the time this took place, you can imagine the prison like conditions.

They plan an escape but are picked up by the Police and brought back. The goon in charge makes sure that they will not run away again. The youngest boy is not put in there due to his age. After suffering years of mental and physical abuse, the boys are notably severely scarred.

Elmer Jackson by this time met a good woman, has a child with her, has his own business and builds his own house and is now able to work on getting the boys back.

The youngest is first - he is distrusting and scornful. The middle two are next and both look like they are mentally damaged after leaving the home for the Retarded. The last one is trickier due to the fact that he is in a State Run facility and needs special papers to release him.

The day Elmer Jackson is told this, his son is to undergo sterilization and not allowed visitors. Elmer leaves without his son even knowing he was there. A doctor noted earlier that he did not think the boy in their care was retarded and keeps an eye on his file. He pursues the case, befriends him and is able to find Elmer. That being said, he takes the boy home to his family and everyone surrounds him - hugging - kissing and not letting go. Given the difficulties the boys had to endure, it is amazing that in the end, they turned out to be normal again.

I was left to wonder that if each time Elmer lost his temper, maybe if he kept a cooler head maybe things would have gone a little different. But then we wouldn't have a movie.

Finally I found it

[toddrandall68 · 10/10 · 26 October 2006]

I searched and searched for this movie. I couldn't remember the name of it or the name of any actors in it. I finally stumbled on it because I thought I remembered that the father in the movie was the same guy that was in that awful movie about going to summer school. When I got here I was saddened to find out that it is not available on DVD. It was a really good movie and I wish it was there for I to find it good again. God bless the children and everything else that is good. I like this movie. I like a lot of movies, not this one especially, but it was very good, too, also.

todd