Small Sacrifices 

A peculiar and disturbing case catches the attention of the police when a young mother and her children, all severely injured, show up in a hospital's emergency room.

Stars:

Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal, Gordon Clapp

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Farrah Fawcett	...	Diane Downs unknown episodes

Storyline

On the 19th of May 1983 Diane Downs stops at the McKenzie-Williamette-Hospital and cries for help. She is wounded on her arm and her three children are also wounded seriously. She says that a stranger shot at them but the investigation of detective Welch bring out that Diane is a liar.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | histrionic personality disorder | murderess | spandex disco jeans | filicide | 

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Taglines:

Her children got in the way of her love

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The real life case of Diane Downs which the movie is based on, foreshadows 1994 trial and arrest of Susan Smith by 11 years. Smith like Downs, also pursued a man who didn't want to be with her because she had children. Refusing to take rejection, Smith also fabricated a story about being car jacked by a strange man causing her two children to drown while strapped in their mother's car. The shocking and disturbing truth was, Smith confessed that she had purposely pushed the car into the river drowning the children in hopes of winning her boyfriend back. Both she and Downs remain in prison to this day.

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Goofs

When Diane brings a pizza over to her mailman friend Matt Jensen's house, she asks him if he likes mushrooms on his pizza while holding the pizza out to him. He says yes. But the pizza has no mushrooms on it, it is clearly plain.

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Quotes

Frank Joziak: [Implying that Diane bought the brass unicorn as a memorial for her children] I mean, maybe the kids were supposed to die on Friday the 13th and the plan got aborted, got postponed.
Lola Joziak: [Unconvinced] How could a mother do that? I mean, it's a primal instinct guard over the life of your child, it's your own mortality.
Frank Joziak: Yes, I know, right? But I've been reading her diary. Now, all the other entries are details. I mean, there's menstrual cycles, groceries, weather, going to work, coming home from work, and...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Kids of Killers (2010)

User Reviews

The most outrageous crime drama that I have ever seen!

Two thumbs up to Farah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal and the ever talented John Shea.

So much for being a dumb blonde - Farah rocked. She took being "unfit" to a whole new level. I thought I had seen the best in her in "Extremities" but she once again showed the "acting world" that she is a force to be reckoned with. Ryan has still got the good looks and the acting to go with it.

John Shea's portrayal of the Prosecutor was RIGHT ON! He exhibited a determination that wasn't his job . . . . it simply was the right thing to do for the protection of the children.

A must have for a movie collector (it needs to be in DVD form also)!

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Small Sacrifices

Filming Locations:

Allarcom Studios, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD7,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Louis Rudolph Films, Motown Productions, Allarcom Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

205 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1