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Two Mothers for Zachary

  • TV Movie
  • 1996
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
457
YOUR RATING
Valerie Bertinelli, Colleen Flynn, and Adam Rehmann in Two Mothers for Zachary (1996)
Drama

A grandmother sues her own daughter for custody of her grandson Zachary, because she believes that her daughter's homosexuality renders her unfit for motherhood. Based on a real custody batt... Read allA grandmother sues her own daughter for custody of her grandson Zachary, because she believes that her daughter's homosexuality renders her unfit for motherhood. Based on a real custody battle.A grandmother sues her own daughter for custody of her grandson Zachary, because she believes that her daughter's homosexuality renders her unfit for motherhood. Based on a real custody battle.

  • Director
    • Peter Werner
  • Writer
    • Linda Voorhees
  • Stars
    • Valerie Bertinelli
    • Vanessa Redgrave
    • Colleen Flynn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    457
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writer
      • Linda Voorhees
    • Stars
      • Valerie Bertinelli
      • Vanessa Redgrave
      • Colleen Flynn
    • 25User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos

    Top cast31

    Edit
    Valerie Bertinelli
    Valerie Bertinelli
    • Jody Ann Shaffell
    Vanessa Redgrave
    Vanessa Redgrave
    • Nancy Shaffell
    Colleen Flynn
    Colleen Flynn
    • Maggie Fergus
    James Gammon
    James Gammon
    • Chalmer
    Michael Marich
    • Robert Lee
    Kim Dickens
    Kim Dickens
    • Nancy
    Brett Brock
    Brett Brock
    • Keith Kinchloe
    Cynthia Dorn
    • Nurse Smoot
    Tony Frank
    Tony Frank
    • Ben Delaney
    Barbara George-Reiss
    • Beth
    Sheila Gordon
    • Process Server
    Alexandria Hunter
    • Lily Delaney
    • (as Alex Hunter)
    Bill Kaiser
    • County Clerk
    Barbara Lasater
    • Pat Kinchloe
    Dennis Letts
    Dennis Letts
    • Judge Crawford
    Marietta Marich
    • Melba
    Brian McGuire
    Brian McGuire
    • Dwayne
    Randy Means
    • Harlan
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writer
      • Linda Voorhees
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews25

    6.5457
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    Featured reviews

    8carls_pra

    sweet but sad

    This was shown on channel 5 in england on 5/9/03 and channel 5 not normally being a very good channel i was going to skip this movie, even though it sounded quite 'interesting'. But then I decided i was going to watch it and i was glad that I did. I felt so sorry for Jodi in the way that her mother is basically a Nazi German commander! And Zachary was so sweet. This movie really pulled at my heartstrings and I'm normally a hard hearted person! Made for TV movies aren't normally great, but I really quite liked this film and I'd watch it again. I'd quite like to know what happened in the end though! The character of Maggie Fergus was a good and likeable character too, I liked her fiery and funny nature.
    maryanne-7

    What a heart wrenching true story and such a good example of a moral heterosexual mother.

    I believed America to be a democratic society fighting for freedom, yet this film which is a true story, fills me with horror, that firstly a mother should have custody of her daughters baby just because she is gay. Also the fact that her mother was given custody of Zachary, even though she had testified in court that she had known her own daughter was being molested from the age of 12, is that moral?. If we are to believe that only heterosexual couples should have a family, then are we going to ignore the abuse that many children suffer at the hands of so called normal parents. Why should gay parents be put under pressure for wanting a family. My heart goes out to this mother who has suffered intolerable abuse not only from her own mother but that of her own countrymen. I only hope this wrong will be put right,it was a heart wrenching film.
    8xavrush89

    Watch this and maybe you'll get mad enough to vote.

    Even if you don't already know the outcome of this, you are bound to get fired up! And you should. It is more relevant than ever today, with Congress trying to pass a Constitutional Amendment, not only stating that some relationships are more valid than others, but making it so that no one can even be allowed to think otherwise! Maybe it's just the script, but this movie makes it look as of the mother is not so much against her daughter's relationship, as she is using the state courts' bigotry to get back at her daughter for not letting her be as much a part of raising the child as she'd like. As bad as it seems, the real case is worse. But this is a great movie to watch if you need a reminder of why we have separation of church and state, and why we're in danger of losing it.
    dda-14

    Two Mothers for Zachary

    I just saw this movie and I am still shocked. Who could be better mother, friend and parent for child then biological mother? There is not enough words to explain how sick I feel only thinking about Zach's grandmother and uncle. They are more mentally sick then Jody and her life partner. Jody is happy knowing that somebody respect her and care about her - what else could make mother happy knowing that her child is protected? Was Jody more protected with man? I don't think so - the man hurt her - but mother don't believe it, ha, ha, ha - what type of mother is that? Caring? No way; if Jody's mom really care about her own daughter, she will never even dream of doing something like this. Shame of you grandma and shame of you uncle, too. I would like to know what ever happened with Jody and Zach? Are they finally together?
    jerryspringerfan1

    the system is wrong

    I've seen this movie several times,and it always makes me angry when it comes to the scene of the grandmother and the policeman yanking the little boy out of his mothers arms.i really wished i had been there during that scene,i wanted to tell jodys meddling mother exactly what i thought of her.i didn't think the court system was fair to her,her sexual orientation is nooone else's business,what did that have to do with raising her son?the state of virginia needs to have their laws changed,next thing you know,theyll be taking kids out of their homes because the parents play monopoly or something.the virginia legal system really stinks.i hope she eventually got her son back.

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    Related interests

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    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Valerie Bertinelli had learned of the case years earlier when she appeared on an episode of Larry King Live on which the actual mother, Sharon Bottoms, also appeared.
    • Quotes

      Maggie Fergus: If you have any change left over, could you get me a cherry slushy?

      Jody Ann Schaffel: You know, you really should have something healthy, something green!

      Maggie Fergus: OK, then, make it a lime slushy.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • For the Love of Zachary
    • Filming locations
      • Austin, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Avenue Pictures
      • Hallmark Entertainment
      • RHI Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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