IMDb RATING
6.3/10
277
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Based on the true story of Tom Butterfield and his crusade to provide family life for homeless children, becoming not only the first bachelor caretaker, but the youngest single adult to beco... Read allBased on the true story of Tom Butterfield and his crusade to provide family life for homeless children, becoming not only the first bachelor caretaker, but the youngest single adult to become a legal foster parent in the state of Missouri.Based on the true story of Tom Butterfield and his crusade to provide family life for homeless children, becoming not only the first bachelor caretaker, but the youngest single adult to become a legal foster parent in the state of Missouri.
Fredric Lehne
- Tom Butterfield
- (as Fred Lehne)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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If Tom lived and did what he did here in England he would be Sir Tom now. What a wonderful man I watched the film and was extremely moved. If there were other great men/women like Tom the world would be a happier place. We should hear more about Tom although the film says it all. The USA should have given him The Con Medal of Honour. Plus any other honors they could find. What a great, great man. Such courage and determination I will always be a great admirer. I have recorded the film it has been shown in the UK on 01 January 2013. I am sure many many people here in England were moved by the film too and will write many comments. Here's to you Sir Thomas
10Zinone
This movie is one that will touch your heart. Tom Butterfield a young man in living MO adopts a orphan and then another and then another until he has a house full of kids. Saving them from the terrible orphanages they live in and abuse, with the help of his girlfriend, played by the wonderful Michelle Pfeiffer, in one of her best roles ever. It is a loving story of how one mans drive and open heart saved many young lives and continues to do so even today.
What an eye opening film makes you wonder why . There are not a lot more people like tom in this world .Brilliant true story good on you tom.Shows you that there are people out there that do care for our young and vulnerable. But for such a young man two take so much responsibility at such a young age without thought for his self and just for others puts us all two shame .The performance by both main characters was tear jerking.May be we can all learn something from this film. I have that it is for us all two help out in this world no matter how big or how small it all helps in the end .So my message two a lot of people is two watch this truly amazing film you wont regret it trust me .
I am surprised that there are not more comments about this film, and indeed it does not appear to have been the object of an issue on DVD or VHS. I have a copy on tape which I have watched two or three times, unfortunately it is dubbed into French, which spoils it considerably and some of the voices are almost laughable ! This considerable handicap aside, the story itself is more than laudable and I was very touched by this young man's determination to go ahead with his plan to harbour orphaned and brutalized children in spite of the various authorities trying to gum up the works at every possible opportunity. Michèle Pfeiffer ( who appears very very young ) is very beautiful and provides welcome support for our friend Butterfield who is at times a little too tied up with his kids to the point of neglecting his dear girlfriend ! At times the film is just too moralistic and politically correct ( seems typical of Hollywood films nowadays ) for my liking, we see one of the kids ticked off for smoking in the basement as if it was some terrible crime, completely ridiculous and there's the introduction of a black kid into the family presumably to be even more politically correct and to show that Butterworth was not racist ! It all seems a little artificial ! These misgivings aside, the whole work makes for most enjoyable watching and all of the kids are cute, it says it is based on a true life story, if this is really the case, all I can say is Bravo ! I think an issue on DVD may well help the film to become better known as the subject matter is quite original and is likely to touch a large number of hearts !
Frederic Lehne stars as the real-life Tom Butterfield, a college student distressed by the plight of homeless children. He'd like to adopt a few of these kids, but Missouri law prohibits such a circumstance for an unmarried man. At great personal cost to himself both financially and emotionally, the 21-year-old Butterfield becomes the youngest single adult ever to be granted a foster-parent license, using this privilege to set up a Boy's Town-like home for unwanted youngsters. Lehne's costar is Michelle Pfeiffer, on the threshold of bigger things. Tom Butterfield, the subject of The Children Nobody Wanted, died less than a year after this TV movie's debut. I wonderful real life movie, showing the difference one man can do.
Did you know
- TriviaThis was Michelle Pfeiffer's first leading role.
- SoundtracksHappy Birthday to You
(uncredited)
Written by Patty S. Hill and Mildred J. Hill
Performed by Fredric Lehne, Michelle Pfeiffer and the children
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