Based on a true story of Iowa farm wife Lucile Fray. Ann-Margret plays a dying mother of ten whose last wish is to find loving families for her children.Based on a true story of Iowa farm wife Lucile Fray. Ann-Margret plays a dying mother of ten whose last wish is to find loving families for her children.Based on a true story of Iowa farm wife Lucile Fray. Ann-Margret plays a dying mother of ten whose last wish is to find loving families for her children.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 3 wins & 9 nominations total
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Featured reviews
A single mother has a terminal disease and has to give away all her children. This is officially the saddest film ever made - a real tear-jerker.
I saw this movie so long ago, but it remains in my memory as the saddest movie ever. I cried non stop. My mother will not ever watch this movie again because its almost painful to watch. Anyway, apart from that the story isn't exactly complex...Ann Margaret is dying and has to give away her 10(?) children. As if that isn't bad enough, it is during the depression and she has to break up the close siblings one by one. I guess this was very sad to me because I too am from a very large close knit family and could identify with each child's pain of leaving their mother and siblings.
Maybe I am a masochist but I would like to see this movie again because it was well done and the end, surprisingly, is slightly happy (so at least we could smile and sob simultaneously). It should come on TV sometime so I can see it again.
Maybe I am a masochist but I would like to see this movie again because it was well done and the end, surprisingly, is slightly happy (so at least we could smile and sob simultaneously). It should come on TV sometime so I can see it again.
This is truly a sad story, but what makes it harder for me to watch is that my uncle is Steven Fray. He is one of the ten children this movie is about. My grandma and grandpa adopted him when he was a baby. They both had actors playing them briefly in the film. My grandparents recently went on to have Bruce, Pam, and my dad Craig. My uncle Steven died when I was little. I don't really remember him at all but last year my grandma showed me and my sister this movie. I cried but watching my grandmother watch it was an experience all in its own. I am glad people watched this movie and got to learn about a story that deserved to be told. As I know right now 8 out of the 10 children are still living. I am glad this movie affected all you people so deeply.
I saw this movie when it was broadcast on television in February of 1983. I was in the hospital, having just given birth to my first and only child. I'll refrain from telling you the extent to which I was moved. Suffice it to say that the memory of the movie has remained with me to this day, almost 23 years later. I hope I can find a copy of this movie, if such a thing was ever made. This movie should be remembered fondly by anyone who ever saw it. However, I must admit that the fact it remains somewhat obscure is just fine by me. This way, it will always be a small secret to me and those who were also moved by it. I never saw Ms. Margaret perform a better part. Nor have I ever seen her in a more convincing role. I will forever respect her just for accepting such a lovely part.
Ann-Margaret was unbelievable. I saw this film so many years ago but it had a huge impact on me. I cried throughout the whole movie. My eyes and face were so red
and swollen that it stayed on my face for a day. The next day in
school people thought someone in my family had died or I had
been beaten up. I have watched for it to be rerun on TV but can never find it. I have
tried to purchase it but I don't think it is possible. I would LOVE to
see it again and tape it. I would love to show it to my Death and Dying Class. Help?
and swollen that it stayed on my face for a day. The next day in
school people thought someone in my family had died or I had
been beaten up. I have watched for it to be rerun on TV but can never find it. I have
tried to purchase it but I don't think it is possible. I would LOVE to
see it again and tape it. I would love to show it to my Death and Dying Class. Help?
Did you know
- TriviaAt the Emmy Awards ceremony, Barbara Stanwyck won the award for best actress for "The Thorn Birds" over Ann-Margret for "Who Will Love My Children?" In accepting the award, Stanwyck said, "This is an honor. But the woman who should have won this award is sitting over there," pointing to Ann-Margret. "I think she gave one of the finest, most beautiful performances I have ever seen. Ann-Margret, you were superb."
- Alternate versionsTwo different variations exist: the opening on-screen disclaimer is read by Ann-Margret, but in the international theatrical version, it's in a different alignment and her voice is not heard. The ending credits are featured over a still image of the Fray family and in the international version, the end credits roll against a simple black background.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1983)
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