IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.4K
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Arriving in a new town, a child pretends to be deaf-mute to protect himself - a ruse which works so well that for twenty years he is custodian to all the town's secrets.Arriving in a new town, a child pretends to be deaf-mute to protect himself - a ruse which works so well that for twenty years he is custodian to all the town's secrets.Arriving in a new town, a child pretends to be deaf-mute to protect himself - a ruse which works so well that for twenty years he is custodian to all the town's secrets.
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- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 win & 8 nominations total
Danny Kamin
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The real bonus here is the stellar cast! Not a bad one in the bunch!! Judith ivey always seems like your best friend. Peters was hilarious in The Jerk. JEJ was amazing in strangelove, star wars, lion king, and so many others. This film is listed as a comedy, but it sure starts out pretty dark! When a small boy is separated from his mother on a bus trip, he grows up in the town at the end of the route. But he decides to pretend to be deaf and mute, as it has helped him recently. Will he ever feel comfortable enough to talk freely? He has learned many secrets, large and small, by acting deaf and mute all these years. This was ten years after modine made full metal jacket. Good stuff! But it aint no comedy! Directed by john harrison. Has won a TON of film fest awards.
I thought this was a great made-for-tv movie. Although they probably could have cut down on the running time by about 30 minutes, the movie was still good. Matthew Modine, Tom Skerrit, James Earl Jones, and Judith Ivey all delivered great performances. I give it 4 stars. It's good family entertainment.
I recently watched What the Deaf Man Heard (1997) on Tubi. The story follows a young boy who arrives in a small Georgia town on the same bus his mother disappeared from. He hopes to find clues about her past so he can be reunited with her or his family one day. When he arrives, the townspeople mistakenly believe he is deaf and mute, and he doesn't correct them. He lives in the town for twenty years under this guise, listening and trying to uncover clues about his mother's disappearance and find direction in life.
Directed by John Kent Harrison (You Know My Name), the film stars Matthew Modine (Platoon), Claire Bloom (Clash of the Titans), James Earl Jones (Star Wars), Jerry O'Connell (Stand by Me), and Tom Skerritt (Alien).
This movie was a pleasant surprise and far exceeded my expectations. It's a true Hallmark classic, filled with charming characters, authentic situations, and a compelling storyline. The cast is stellar from top to bottom, with everyone delivering strong performances. The concept itself is unique, and there are standout moments, like the land sale scene and the courtroom closing, which really impressed me. It's the kind of story that keeps you invested, wanting to see what happens next, and the conclusion is satisfying. There's very little to dislike here.
In conclusion, What the Deaf Man Heard is an underrated and unique drama that's definitely worth watching. I would score this a 8/10 and strongly recommend it.
Directed by John Kent Harrison (You Know My Name), the film stars Matthew Modine (Platoon), Claire Bloom (Clash of the Titans), James Earl Jones (Star Wars), Jerry O'Connell (Stand by Me), and Tom Skerritt (Alien).
This movie was a pleasant surprise and far exceeded my expectations. It's a true Hallmark classic, filled with charming characters, authentic situations, and a compelling storyline. The cast is stellar from top to bottom, with everyone delivering strong performances. The concept itself is unique, and there are standout moments, like the land sale scene and the courtroom closing, which really impressed me. It's the kind of story that keeps you invested, wanting to see what happens next, and the conclusion is satisfying. There's very little to dislike here.
In conclusion, What the Deaf Man Heard is an underrated and unique drama that's definitely worth watching. I would score this a 8/10 and strongly recommend it.
10kiyakid
I taped ' What the Deaf Man Heard' on night when it was on late, a few days later, I watched it and found it to be an EXTREMELY good movie, which I have yet to date, taped over. It is a really good watch, and Matthew Modine is a really good actor, I recommend it to anyone.
For me, Hallmark Hall of Fames are like the Super Bowl, the main event is nice to watch, but the commercials are the real reason to tune in. What can I say, I like cheez. However, "What the Deaf Man Heard" is a rare exception. This is a movie that captured my attention. I laughed, I cried, it was better than CATS. I don't believe it's on video, but CBS plays it again every so often. Check it out.
Did you know
- TriviaThe film holds the record for the highest-rated made-for-television movie on any network since 1991.
- GoofsNorm Jenkins finds Sammy's suitcase and learns his identity but doesn't tell anyone about the suitcase. Yet the entire town knew and used his full name, presumably starting soon after his first day in Barrington, and the police never searched for his mother after that first day even though his name was known.
- Quotes
Sammy Ayers: [narrating] To my knowledge it is the only trial in the history of American jurisprudence that was over in just two spoken words.
Sammy Ayers: [speaking out loud] I... I do.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
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- Hallmark Hall of Fame: What the Deaf Man Heard (#47.1)
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