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IMDbPro

After the Promise

  • TV Movie
  • 1987
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Mark Harmon and Diana Scarwid in After the Promise (1987)
Drama

Elmer Jackson is a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s. Struggling to bring up 4 young boys after the death of his wife, he is horrified when the Government (citing trumped-up... Read allElmer Jackson is a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s. Struggling to bring up 4 young boys after the death of his wife, he is horrified when the Government (citing trumped-up charges of parental neglect) places the boys into various foster homes and institutions, ... Read allElmer Jackson is a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s. Struggling to bring up 4 young boys after the death of his wife, he is horrified when the Government (citing trumped-up charges of parental neglect) places the boys into various foster homes and institutions, unaware of the abuse that the boys would then be subjected to. The conditions imposed by t... Read all

  • Director
    • David Greene
  • Writers
    • Robert W. Lenski
    • Sebastian Milito
  • Stars
    • Mark Harmon
    • Diana Scarwid
    • Rosemary Dunsmore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Greene
    • Writers
      • Robert W. Lenski
      • Sebastian Milito
    • Stars
      • Mark Harmon
      • Diana Scarwid
      • Rosemary Dunsmore
    • 29User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations total

    Photos

    Top cast40

    Edit
    Mark Harmon
    Mark Harmon
    • Elmer Jackson
    Diana Scarwid
    Diana Scarwid
    • Anna Jackson
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    • Florence Jackson
    Donnelly Rhodes
    Donnelly Rhodes
    • Dr. Northfield
    Chance Michael Corbitt
    Chance Michael Corbitt
    • Wayne 1
    David French
    • Richard 1
    Benjamin Turner
    • Ellis 1
    Lance Verwoerd
    • Raymond 1
    • (as Lance)
    Gary Verwoerd
    • Raymond 1
    Shirley Barclay
    • Mrs. Adams
    Alex Bruhanski
    Alex Bruhanski
    • Hospital Cop
    Dwight Koss
    Dwight Koss
    • Young Doctor
    Linda Darlow
    Linda Darlow
    • Welfare Officer
    Dana Still
    • Supervisor
    Jenn Griffin
    Jenn Griffin
    • Sitter
    • (as Jennifer Griffin)
    Stephen E. Miller
    Stephen E. Miller
    • Ben
    Blu Mankuma
    Blu Mankuma
    • Jack
    Alex Diakun
    Alex Diakun
    • Foreman
    • Director
      • David Greene
    • Writers
      • Robert W. Lenski
      • Sebastian Milito
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    7.71K
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    Featured reviews

    sbrnnxn

    touching

    I hate that this movie is not available anywhere because I would definately add it to my movie collection. Every time I saw this movie it made me cry because instead of the family services helping the father in his time of need, they made his situation worse by taking his children away. This story is similar to what's going on today-DCFS is so quick to take children from their homes and place them with strangers instead of really showing compassion on the troubled parent. Mark Harmon really did a great performance, as I really wasn't aware of him prior to this movie.
    10marita-nicolaisen

    This movie should be on DVD

    I saw this movie for the first time when I was about 12 years old, me and my friend talked about this movie for several years, and then we had to rent it one more time a few years later. It's the most frustrating, horrible, sad and true story I've ever seen. I will never forget the story even though its been over ten years ago. I can still imagine the boys' eyes, the fathers frustration and the "evil" people around them. You just want to be a part of the movie, help them - do something, everybody can see that they're treated wrong. I recommend this movie, because I think it's important to see what happened before to poor single-parents and their children. I cant understand why this movie never was released on DVD. I'm sure it would sell! Marita
    10lesley44

    My Favorite Movie

    I just wanted to say that this movie was the best i have seen in a long time. It has so many different emotions in it. I think it is one of Mark Harmons best movies. The only problem i have is i cant get it on DVD only have it on video.So i think everyone should watch this movie and let me know what they thought of it.. It really makes u think what it must of been like for single parents in that day and age mind u it hasn't changed a lot. I cant believe they would do that to children even then. But i do think everyone should watch it like i said it was one of Mark Harmons best movies.. Can anyone help me get this great movie on DVD please let me know as i cant get it here in Australia thanks.
    cotton-candy

    A True Likeness

    I can not describe the true likeness portrayed by all the charactors of the "Jackson" Family. I know because in reality the "Jackson's" are the "Armstrong's". Ellis was in fact a depiction of twin boys, Ellis and Elmer. Elmer, is my father. It was to say the least comforting to watch Mark Hammel potray my Grandpa. He had all his mannerisms down pat! And the most amaizing part of that was, my grandpa had been gone for years.

    Yes folks, this horrific thing really happened! These men were destroyed forever. My father is probably the only one who came out of this with an attitude of "I Will!". I just wish to say thank you to the cast for bringing my family's trials to life. ad a better understanding of why my dad had a difficult time being a family man. Cathy
    9Melm

    A very moving, sad story, well acted

    This portrayal of a depression era worker, left to bring up his children after his wife died is extremely moving. It is well acted, and you really feel for the extremely frustrating time the hero encounters while he tried to re-group his whole family who are unceremoniously removed "into care". The children endure horrific abuse, but, eventually Mark Harmon, whose acting is excellent in this movie, manages to bring all of his children home. UPDATE: September 2012 - for all those who want to acquire this movie - there are dvds available on ebay. Not sure why IMDb wants me to make this review longer - it was shorter before I added the update, and yet now apparently it isn't long enough. it's long enough to tell people how greatly moving this story is. One of my all time favourite movies

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jenn Griffin's debut.
    • Quotes

      Elmer Jackson: I may jump up and down if you put an alligator in the bathtub, but i will never ever hurt you for telling the truth!

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 11, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Versprechen des Elmer Jackson
    • Filming locations
      • California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Tamara Asseyev Productions
      • New World Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    Mark Harmon and Diana Scarwid in After the Promise (1987)
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