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Who Are the DeBolts? and Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?

  • 1977
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 12m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
265
YOUR RATING
Who Are the DeBolts? and Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids? (1977)
BiographyDocumentary

Dorothy and Bob DeBolt's tale of the struggles and joys involved in their 19 adopted children, many of who are physically disabled war orphans.Dorothy and Bob DeBolt's tale of the struggles and joys involved in their 19 adopted children, many of who are physically disabled war orphans.Dorothy and Bob DeBolt's tale of the struggles and joys involved in their 19 adopted children, many of who are physically disabled war orphans.

  • Director
    • John Korty
  • Writer
    • Janet Peoples
  • Stars
    • Kim Atwood
    • Marty Atwood
    • Mike Atwood
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    265
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Korty
    • Writer
      • Janet Peoples
    • Stars
      • Kim Atwood
      • Marty Atwood
      • Mike Atwood
    • 3User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos2

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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Kim Atwood
    • Self
    Marty Atwood
    • Self
    Mike Atwood
    • Self
    Mimi Atwood
    • Self
    Noel Atwood
    • Self
    Stephanie Atwood
    • Self
    Anh DeBolt
    • Self
    Bob DeBolt
    • Self
    Dat DeBolt
    • Self
    Dorothy DeBolt
    • Self
    J.R. DeBolt
    • Self
    Karen DeBolt
    • Self
    Ly' DeBolt
    • Self
    Mary DeBolt
    • Self
    Melanie DeBolt
    • Self
    Phong DeBolt
    • Self
    Sunee DeBolt
    • Self
    Tich DeBolt
    • Self
    • Director
      • John Korty
    • Writer
      • Janet Peoples
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    7.1265
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    Featured reviews

    8planktonrules

    Inspiring.

    This is a super-inspiring film made about a very unusual family, the DeBolts. Mr. and Mrs. DeBolt had, as of the making of this film, nineteen kids--most of which were handicapped orphans from around the world and were considered pretty much unadoptable. However, the DeBolts seemed to like the challenge of melding all these kids into an enormous family. Most of the film simply shows the family going through their days. What I particularly liked is that although this appeared to be a close family, the parents were certain NOT to do too much for the kids--encouraging them to do things for themselves regardless of their disabilities.

    The film is pretty well made and interesting. It is also a bit sticky sweet, but inspiring as well. Apparently the Academy was quite impressed by the documentary, because it was awarded the Oscar for this category in 1978. Well worth seeing.

    By the way, it would be very interesting if a follow-up film was made about the family more than three decades later. The 'kids' are all now independent adults with their own children and I am sure their stories would be worth hearing.
    10Chrissie

    A study in love and joy

    I was still in high school when I saw "Who Are the DeBolts" on TV, and I'll never get the images out of my head. The child that sticks most in my mind was a lovely Black girl of maybe 8 or 10, with stumps for arms and legs. She could walk and play the marimba with her prosthetics, but she really shone when those prosthetics came off. I can still see her jumping on the bed with her siblings, laughing and so vibrant and alive.

    There was nothing sappy or sentimental about "Who Are the DeBolts." Just a family that was a little larger and more diverse than what we're used to. And I think if only for the lesson in valuing diversity, it would be wonderful if this film made a huge comeback.

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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Alternate versions
      Theatrical version released in 1977, approx. 75 min. Television version, re-cut, and executive produced and narrated by Henry Winkler (with Winkler and DeBolt family footage added) aired on ABC on December 17, 1978; approx. 50 min.
    • Connections
      Featured in Stepping Out: The Debolts Grow Up (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      If You Could Read My Mind
      Written by Gordon Lightfoot

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 10, 1977 (Japan)
    • Countries of origin
      • Japan
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Vietnamese
    • Also known as
      • Who Are The Debolts ...And Where did they get 19 Kids?
    • Filming locations
      • Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates
      • Korty Films
      • Sanrio Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 12m(72 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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