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After the Promise

  • TV Movie
  • 1987
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Mark Harmon and Diana Scarwid in After the Promise (1987)
Drama

Elmer Jackson is a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s. Struggling to bring up 4 young boys after the death of his wife, he is horrified when the Government (citing trumped-up... Read allElmer Jackson is a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s. Struggling to bring up 4 young boys after the death of his wife, he is horrified when the Government (citing trumped-up charges of parental neglect) places the boys into various foster homes and institutions, ... Read allElmer Jackson is a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s. Struggling to bring up 4 young boys after the death of his wife, he is horrified when the Government (citing trumped-up charges of parental neglect) places the boys into various foster homes and institutions, unaware of the abuse that the boys would then be subjected to. The conditions imposed by t... Read all

  • Director
    • David Greene
  • Writers
    • Robert W. Lenski
    • Sebastian Milito
  • Stars
    • Mark Harmon
    • Diana Scarwid
    • Rosemary Dunsmore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Greene
    • Writers
      • Robert W. Lenski
      • Sebastian Milito
    • Stars
      • Mark Harmon
      • Diana Scarwid
      • Rosemary Dunsmore
    • 29User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations total

    Photos

    Top cast40

    Edit
    Mark Harmon
    Mark Harmon
    • Elmer Jackson
    Diana Scarwid
    Diana Scarwid
    • Anna Jackson
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    • Florence Jackson
    Donnelly Rhodes
    Donnelly Rhodes
    • Dr. Northfield
    Chance Michael Corbitt
    Chance Michael Corbitt
    • Wayne 1
    David French
    • Richard 1
    Benjamin Turner
    • Ellis 1
    Lance Verwoerd
    • Raymond 1
    • (as Lance)
    Gary Verwoerd
    • Raymond 1
    Shirley Barclay
    • Mrs. Adams
    Alex Bruhanski
    Alex Bruhanski
    • Hospital Cop
    Dwight Koss
    Dwight Koss
    • Young Doctor
    Linda Darlow
    Linda Darlow
    • Welfare Officer
    Dana Still
    • Supervisor
    Jenn Griffin
    Jenn Griffin
    • Sitter
    • (as Jennifer Griffin)
    Stephen E. Miller
    Stephen E. Miller
    • Ben
    Blu Mankuma
    Blu Mankuma
    • Jack
    Alex Diakun
    Alex Diakun
    • Foreman
    • Director
      • David Greene
    • Writers
      • Robert W. Lenski
      • Sebastian Milito
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    7.71K
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    Featured reviews

    8mec-23

    Heart rendering and very moving

    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
    Forcanduls

    Saddest Film Ever

    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.
    hi-tweety-19191919

    The Grand-Daughter

    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.
    10lauralynn8-1

    Touches the heart like no other movie.

    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.
    10marita-nicolaisen

    This movie should be on DVD

    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

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    After the Promise 2

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jenn Griffin's debut.
    • Quotes

      Elmer Jackson: I may jump up and down if you put an alligator in the bathtub, but i will never ever hurt you for telling the truth!

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 11, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Versprechen des Elmer Jackson
    • Filming locations
      • California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Tamara Asseyev Productions
      • New World Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    Mark Harmon and Diana Scarwid in After the Promise (1987)
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