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
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
7.4676
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Featured reviews
Officially the saddest film ever made
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.
Saddest movie ever
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?
Who Will Love My Children?
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.
This is part of my life.
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.
Quite something!
Ann-Margaret was nominated for an Emmy, deservedly so, for her work in this film. She is, quite simply, magnificent! I don't believe that she has ever been more beautiful...sans glamour, sans big hair, sans sexuality...yet her beauty shines out from someplace inside giving her performance a layered depth that needs no other trappings. All of the actors, including the kids, are fabulous. John Erman directed this tragic tale of a doomed depression-era mother trying to find homes for her children before she dies with incredible sensitivity and manages to avoid the traps of "maudlin." A terrific film!
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)
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content

