A Son's Promise (TV 1990)

The touching true story of the fifteen years old Terry who promised his dying mother to look after his six younger brothers and keep them together as a family ... a man's job on a boy's ... See full summary »

Director:

John Korty

Writers:

Bill Stratton (story), Bill Stratton (teleplay),

Stars:

Ricky Schroder, David Andrews, Veronica Cartwright

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ricky Schroder	...	Terry O'Kelley (as Rick Schroder)
David Andrews	...	Wayne O'Kelley
Veronica Cartwright	...	Dorothy Donaldson
Stephen Dorff	...	Charles O'Kelley
Boyd Gaines	...	Dan Weston
Andrew Lowery	...	Tommy O'Kelley
Donald Moffat	...	Paw Paw
Ryan Marshall	...	David O'Kelley
Trey Yearwood	...	Jeff O'Kelley
Peirce Baehr	...	Michael O'Kelley
Grayson Fricke	...	Jason O'Kelley
Linda Pierce	...	Judy O'Kelley
Edith Ivey	...	Luella
Ken Strong	...	Lee Reynolds
Jim Peck	...	Brantley Kincaid

Storyline

The touching true story of the fifteen years old Terry who promised his dying mother to look after his six younger brothers and keep them together as a family ... a man's job on a boy's shoulders. He had to face many misfortunes and "parenthood" had such hard and unpleasant surprises for him, he was almost tempted to disappoint his mother ...

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Plot Keywords:

spanking | corporal punishment | belt | family farm | based on true story

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

The O'Kelley Brothers

Filming Locations:

Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marian Rees Associates

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

They Ain't Heavy, They're My Brothers

Georgia teenager Rick Schroder (as Terry) promises his dying mother he will look after his six little brothers after she dies. Mother wants the boys to remain together, and stay in school. When the seven sons' caring grandfather also dies, times get really tough for Mr. Schroder, who has to assume the paternal role. The boys' real father, interstate truck driver father David Andrews (as Wayne O'Kelley), is still alive - but he spends all his time on the road, in jail, or drinking alcohol...

As the responsible family member, Schroder must take teenage brother Stephen Dorff (as Charles) to the woodshed...

In a big symbolic moment, Schroeder whips young Dorff's buttocks with their grandfather's belt, for smoking in the chicken shack. Due to the camera angle, it's safe to say Dorff didn't pull down his pants or suffer any injury. Schroeder also has trouble with rebellious brother Andrew Lowery (as Tommy). Helping manage this large family are sympathetic lawyer Veronica Cartwright (as Dorothy Donaldson), slick community organizer Boyd Gains (as Dan Weston), and God.

**** A Son's Promise (3/5/90) John Korty ~ Rick Schroder, Stephen Dorff, Veronica Cartwright, David Andrews