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IMDbPro

Children of a Lesser God

  • 19861986
  • RR
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
17K
YOUR RATING
Children of a Lesser God (1986)
Watch ’Trailer’
Play trailer1:26
2 Videos
33 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
A new speech teacher at a school for the deaf falls in love with the janitor, a deaf woman speechless by choice.A new speech teacher at a school for the deaf falls in love with the janitor, a deaf woman speechless by choice.A new speech teacher at a school for the deaf falls in love with the janitor, a deaf woman speechless by choice.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
17K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Randa Haines
  • Writers
    • Mark Medoff(stage play)
    • Hesper Anderson(screenplay)
    • James Carrington(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • William Hurt
    • Marlee Matlin
    • Piper Laurie
Top credits
  • Director
    • Randa Haines
  • Writers
    • Mark Medoff(stage play)
    • Hesper Anderson(screenplay)
    • James Carrington(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • William Hurt
    • Marlee Matlin
    • Piper Laurie
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 73User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 6 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:26
    Trailer
    Marlee Matlin Shares the Importance of Authentic Representation
    Clip 6:06
    Marlee Matlin Shares the Importance of Authentic Representation

    Photos33

    Marlee Matlin at an event for Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Children of a Lesser God (1986)
    Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Hurt
    William Hurt
    • Jamesas James
    Marlee Matlin
    Marlee Matlin
    • Sarahas Sarah
    Piper Laurie
    Piper Laurie
    • Mrs. Normanas Mrs. Norman
    Philip Bosco
    Philip Bosco
    • Dr. Curtis Franklinas Dr. Curtis Franklin
    Allison Gompf
    • Lydiaas Lydia
    John F. Cleary
    • Johnnyas Johnny
    Philip Holmes
    • Glenas Glen
    Georgia Ann Cline
    • Cherylas Cheryl
    William D. Byrd
    • Dannyas Danny
    Frank Carter Jr.
    • Tonyas Tony
    John Limnidis
    • Williamas William
    Bob Hiltermann
    Bob Hiltermann
    • Orinas Orin
    E. Katherine Kerr
    E. Katherine Kerr
    • Mary Lee Ochsas Mary Lee Ochs
    John Basinger
    • Alan Jonesas Alan Jones
    Barry Magnani
    • Tom Schuyleras Tom Schuyler
    Linda Bove
    • Marian Loesseras Marian Loesser
    Ann Hanson
    • Martha Franklinas Martha Franklin
    James Carrington
    • Mr. Harrisonas Mr. Harrison
    • Director
      • Randa Haines
    • Writers
      • Mark Medoff(stage play) (screenplay)
      • Hesper Anderson(screenplay)
      • James Carrington(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The first film directed by a woman (Randa Haines) to be Oscar nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
    • Goofs
      The DVD back lists a main character as "John" Leeds, when the name should be "JAMES" Leeds.
    • Quotes

      James Leeds: Do you think that we could find a place where we can meet - not in silence and not in sound?

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Colorizing: Hollywood's New Vandalism (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Jump (For My Love)
      by Marti Sharron, Stephen Mitchell (as Steven Mitchell) & Gary Skardina

      Performed by The Pointer Sisters

      Courtesy of RCA Records

    User reviews73

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Powerful Commentary on Unconditionality, Love, Acceptance, Growth
    This is perhaps the most moving and thought-provoking film about love and being in a relationship that I have ever seen. Matlin takes your breath away as you fall in love with her and she breaks your heart. Randa Haines documents, meticulously, the real effort and struggle that must go into negotiating a romantic relationship between any two individuals, and also the priceless dividends we reap by doing so- namely, love, home, friendship, acceptance, family: life.

    "Children of a Lesser god" allows you to think, feel, and experience the things all good movies should. I highly recommend it...Matlin gives an awe-inspiring performance, 100% deserving of the Oscar she won for it. William Hurt balances the entire film, a feat which perhaps made him even more deserving of an Academy Award. All-in-all, if you want to watch a movie that tackles the timeless and immortal themes of love, communication, our relationship to the world, our relationship to our significant other, and most importantly our relationship to ourselves, I highly recommend this film. It will move you to tears.
    helpful•35
    5
    • poetellect
    • Feb 19, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 31, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • American Sign Language
    • Also known as
      • Gottes vergessene Kinder
    • Filming locations
      • Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $31,853,080
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,909,084
      • Oct 5, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $31,853,080
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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