David

I think the character that plays the judge in this film says it best, I have never seen such a hideous crime or so innocent a victim. Bernadette Peters is basically known as a singer, but she does an awesome acting job in this real life horror story. What kind of an animal would pour gasoline over his six year old child and burn him over 90% of his body. John Glover said that this was the only time in his career that he was really traumatized playing a character. This movie doesn't really show why Rothenberg was so evil, but it does an excellent job of showing the horrible suffering he caused this child. Be warned, this movie is so grim that at time its almost unwatchable. An infuriating footnote, Rothenberg sentenced his son to a lifetime of disfigurement and pain, but he was released from jail after serving only six years. They have since changed the laws he was sentenced under, today he would have gotten life without parole.

A tough topic about a dispicable coward loser who harmed his son.

This story is supposedly told through his mom and is a true story. I do wonder if the scenes with the boy and the thing called "dad" were based on any of his memories of the days leading up...?

My main complaint: why oh why did they pick Bernadette Peters to play the mom? With that babydoll voice and complete inability to act - its absolutely an assault on the senses. This was a part that required someone who could act a wide range of emotions - shock, sorrow, doubt, love, grief, anger, guilt, regret. All she could muster was a facsimile of an annoying brat having a temper tantrum.

I've enjoyed her performances in comedies. And I've seen comedic actors rise to give compelling dramatic performances, but she's simply doesn't have the talent.

The only thing saving this dated movie is the fact it's based on a true story. Her performance ruins it.

the movie first aired on TV when I was 14 and I wanted to see it. But my parents told me that it was very upsetting and sad and so did friends. But I still wanted to see it.

And In 1991 I finally saw the movie. I was both horrified and heartbroken about what I was watching and all I could do was cry. How can anyone ever hurt a little child like that. It's heart breaking to know that a parent could ever hurt an innocent little child in that way(or anyway.).

What broke my heart the most was the part where the doctor showed him his reflection in the mirror. And he though that he looked like a monster. That just broke my heart all together. My older sister and I couldn't stop crying.

Here is one of the most horrendous stories of child abuse ever put on film. "David" chronicles the horrific case of David Rothenberg, who's father Charles set him on fire in a California motel and was later sentenced to 13 years in prison (only to be released after 7). Few stories truly show the dark heart of people, especially someone cold enough to burn their child simply as a way of getting back at their spouse. The movie is unrestrained and shows us in clear detail the suffering and treatment David went through, in one heartbreaking scene the doctors show him a mirror to look at his face and he breaks down. First shown on TV in 1988, "David" has no doubt affected many. I was about 6 or 7 at the time and I remember the movie deeply affected me, to the point where I had nightmares. Be warned, this is strong material and not for the faint of heart. But these kinds of stories need to be told, because these are the kinds of movies and books that wake people up and maybe help new laws to be passed so men like Charles Rothenberg can face true justice for their hideous crimes. The performances in this film are excellent, they stick in the memory in a movie that is hard to shake away. Few TV movies have displayed such grim realism, but this is a disturbing story, and it deserves to be told without restraint. Maybe someday it will be made more widely available on DVD.

As a fan of Bernadette Peters, I make it a point to see anything she did. I had never heard of David Rothenberg's story until seeing this movie. It is an amazing story of triumph in a time of horrible tragedy.

This is one of the best "Made for TV dramas" I have ever seen. Bernadette Peters is fabulous as Marie Rothenberg and John Glover does an equally remarkable job as her troubled ex-husband, Charles. Matthew Lawrence does a fantastic job as David.

Anyone who enjoys a good docudrama will enjoy this one.