I am surprised that there are not more comments about this film, and indeed it does not appear to have been the object of an issue on DVD or VHS. I have a copy on tape which I have watched two or three times, unfortunately it is dubbed into French, which spoils it considerably and some of the voices are almost laughable ! This considerable handicap aside, the story itself is more than laudable and I was very touched by this young man's determination to go ahead with his plan to harbour orphaned and brutalized children in spite of the various authorities trying to gum up the works at every possible opportunity. Michèle Pfeiffer ( who appears very very young ) is very beautiful and provides welcome support for our friend Butterfield who is at times a little too tied up with his kids to the point of neglecting his dear girlfriend ! At times the film is just too moralistic and politically correct ( seems typical of Hollywood films nowadays ) for my liking, we see one of the kids ticked off for smoking in the basement as if it was some terrible crime, completely ridiculous and there's the introduction of a black kid into the family presumably to be even more politically correct and to show that Butterworth was not racist ! It all seems a little artificial ! These misgivings aside, the whole work makes for most enjoyable watching and all of the kids are cute, it says it is based on a true life story, if this is really the case, all I can say is Bravo ! I think an issue on DVD may well help the film to become better known as the subject matter is quite original and is likely to touch a large number of hearts !
15 Reviews
The place he made is now a mental hospital
amieace14 March 2024
The place Tom Butterfield built to take in kids that were in wanted by their parents was made into a mental hospital in Marshall Missouri. It is no longer a safe place for children it's now a place that kids het stripped of their basic rights and are pumped full of medications because they think they can cure all the trauma that parents have caused. It is sad that a place that was built to help children is now stripping children of their rights and doing nothing to help them. Butterfield ranch is now Great circle Butterfield campus run by a big corporation that believe children are at fault and that the parents did nothing wrong.
I am Tom's niece
donnabateman1 February 2006
This movie is the true story of my uncle, Tom Butterfield. I wanted to clarify that the reason the black character was introduced in the movie, is because there really was a black boy that Tom adopted into the boys ranch. Tom truly had a heart for all youth, and never even considered their race to be a factor. I even met the "real" black boy while visiting the ranch, and he was such a joy. So please know that when watching this film, it was not a fake scene just to be politically correct. The Butterfield Youth Services in Marshall, Missouri, still exists today, and has expanded into several more group homes that also include boys and girls ranches and inpatient/outpatient treatment centers. Even though my uncle Tom is in heaven now, his legacy continues to live on. Thank you for continuing to pay tribute to him by watching this film. He worked so hard to get this story out so that others would be helped, that might have been forgotten. Thank you for listening.
Enjoyable and true to life depiction of events.
Playa_X_1310 August 2006
My mom worked with Tom Butterfield at the mental health institution where he worked. I went to school with many of the kids from the ranch, including the real "Zim." Another kid from the ranch invited me out to the ranch for a Saturday of horseback riding (each kid had their own horse at the time) in 1963 when I was 8 and I met and was quite impressed by Tom Butterfield. The movie was not over-dramatized at all as these were pretty much how events transpired. In Marshall, I was close friends with the family of Joey Turley, who played Tom's first kid in the movie and even remember his birth. This movie depicts a very interesting time in Marshall, though I was too young to understand all that was going on at the time. It always seems strange for me to see in it many of the real people that I knew in town, as characters portrayed by actors and it was quite interesting to see the filming of the movie in our fair town. I do have many memories of the kids at the original ranch, including Johnny Kates and the great work that Tom Butterfield was performing and what he stood for. Tom's passing was a very sad occasion.
True story of Tom Butterfield
Zinone15 July 2000
This movie is one that will touch your heart. Tom Butterfield a young man in living MO adopts a orphan and then another and then another until he has a house full of kids. Saving them from the terrible orphanages they live in and abuse, with the help of his girlfriend, played by the wonderful Michelle Pfeiffer, in one of her best roles ever. It is a loving story of how one mans drive and open heart saved many young lives and continues to do so even today.
Should be Sir Thomas
alan-buckley-570-2974571 January 2013
If Tom lived and did what he did here in England he would be Sir Tom now. What a wonderful man I watched the film and was extremely moved. If there were other great men/women like Tom the world would be a happier place. We should hear more about Tom although the film says it all. The USA should have given him The Con Medal of Honour. Plus any other honors they could find. What a great, great man. Such courage and determination I will always be a great admirer. I have recorded the film it has been shown in the UK on 01 January 2013. I am sure many many people here in England were moved by the film too and will write many comments. Here's to you Sir Thomas
A wonderful true life story
msmovieholic27 January 2007
Frederic Lehne stars as the real-life Tom Butterfield, a college student distressed by the plight of homeless children. He'd like to adopt a few of these kids, but Missouri law prohibits such a circumstance for an unmarried man. At great personal cost to himself both financially and emotionally, the 21-year-old Butterfield becomes the youngest single adult ever to be granted a foster-parent license, using this privilege to set up a Boy's Town-like home for unwanted youngsters. Lehne's costar is Michelle Pfeiffer, on the threshold of bigger things. Tom Butterfield, the subject of The Children Nobody Wanted, died less than a year after this TV movie's debut. I wonderful real life movie, showing the difference one man can do.
Amazing true story respect two you TOM
jaychris201015 September 2011
What an eye opening film makes you wonder why . There are not a lot more people like tom in this world .Brilliant true story good on you tom.Shows you that there are people out there that do care for our young and vulnerable. But for such a young man two take so much responsibility at such a young age without thought for his self and just for others puts us all two shame .The performance by both main characters was tear jerking.May be we can all learn something from this film. I have that it is for us all two help out in this world no matter how big or how small it all helps in the end .So my message two a lot of people is two watch this truly amazing film you wont regret it trust me .
About Tom
freeborn6618022 November 2006
This lovely movie isn't as well known as it would deserve.I saw it a long time ago and the story of Tom touched my heart so deep as I liked the movie too.In times like todays'ones Tom is a so positive example of what respect and brotherhood could do to human race.I believe that Tom's project for young people's safe is still alive not only in Marshall but it would have to be a spark to a fire that still keeps on burning FOREVER! Hope to see this movie on DVD soon....i believe that Michelle Pfeiffer and the male actor i don't remember the name,They still keep good thoughts of their experience acting this sweet movie.Michelle was very young and so sweet....
Oh my gosh,Tom Butterfield warmed my heart
ella_great5 February 2014
Please can this film be released on DVD. A true heartwarming ambassador to human kindness. If only we could all be like this man. Please please I need the book /dvd. It is madness to think how children throughout time have been thrown away, unloved, uncared for, if only they could all have a tom Butterfield. This story has every emotion on edge. But most of all a true overwhelming sense of love. It opened my heart to a true love story between Mr and Mrs Butterfield.the love and support of friends. Most of all the love the boys had for each other. We forget how growing up within a family is so important. This film shows that money does nor Bring happiness but love. Nurture is greater than nature. I think everyone should watch this film, it may open peoples eyes and hearts to each other. Hale sir tom Butterfield a true saint. God bless you and your family
Respect
carjm316 July 2011
Just now - 2011 - and have just finished watching this Film. Have to say am blown away, by the courage and hard work it must have taken for all involved. Great Film, great story and even happier to see that it didn't end there. That with thanks to 1 individual hundreds of kids were able to have a place to sleep and food in their stomach.Complete Respect!!Wish i had known about this film earlier. Will def. recommend it to all my friends and family. Guess its kind of an eye opener esp. in today worlds where everyone looks out for Number 1 - themselves.This film and others like it, is what should be taught in todays world if we don't help the children - who will.
Never underestimate the passion of youth.
mark.waltz23 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Not everybody in this town agrees with what you're doing" Frederic Lehne as the real-life Tom Butterfield keeps hearing, and this young man who was neglected by his own father stepped up to the plate when taking care of trouble juice, becoming foster father to a slew of abandoned children living in a horrible foundling home and basically neglected as well. Over objections by stern social worker Anne Haney, he takes in five boys and with the help of the young and beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer creates the only real home that they've ever known. Of course, there are conflicts among the boys, one feeling like he will no longer be special if there are others around, as well as another who is a complete rebel. While it won't be easy, they strive to make it through the storm.
It becomes very clear as the film goes on that the by the books Haney has come to respect Tom for his diligence even though he has broken the rules by bringing in for additional boys. A powerful scene has her revealing with near tears in her eyes her feelings about Tom's caring. In addition to Haney, there's also Barbara Barrie as a nurse who left the foundling home and has basically volunteered all of her time in helping Lenhe and Pfeiffer.
The film is heartbreaking in spots, particularly concerning the prejudice towards the fact that he has a young black boy staying there, showing the cruelty of bigoted adults, even towards children. The performances by these youngsters are natural, almost as if they just are rather than attempting to act. Lehne is excellent, playing a character who is far from perfect yet a total angel where it really counts. The fact that this is a true story takes away any attempt to manipulate the audience, and it shows that true heroes are nit always those who has hero written on their forehead.
It becomes very clear as the film goes on that the by the books Haney has come to respect Tom for his diligence even though he has broken the rules by bringing in for additional boys. A powerful scene has her revealing with near tears in her eyes her feelings about Tom's caring. In addition to Haney, there's also Barbara Barrie as a nurse who left the foundling home and has basically volunteered all of her time in helping Lenhe and Pfeiffer.
The film is heartbreaking in spots, particularly concerning the prejudice towards the fact that he has a young black boy staying there, showing the cruelty of bigoted adults, even towards children. The performances by these youngsters are natural, almost as if they just are rather than attempting to act. Lehne is excellent, playing a character who is far from perfect yet a total angel where it really counts. The fact that this is a true story takes away any attempt to manipulate the audience, and it shows that true heroes are nit always those who has hero written on their forehead.
We think it should be No.1
g-bpearse24 November 2002
We seen the movie by Tom Butterfield The Children Nobody Wanted.we really enjoyed the movie, My shows that I like to watch are of true stores and that was just a wonderful movie It sure would be nice if we could get to buy the movie.
True story about the school I went to.
Lil_Cam_5_13 September 2020
I went to Butterfield (now Tom Butterfield Campus) from 11-18-11 to 11-18-16, and it was the best hands-on private education you can get. Each student has an IEP to tailor their educational gifts/needs. The environment is one that you would get in a Co-Op styled setting. We had a garden that we would take care of along with other things. Overall, it was a very fun learning environment, and the best time of my life. I was DTX (just going to school there) for over 4 years, (11-18-11 to 12-18-15) and I was a resident for under a year. (12-18-15 to 11-18-16)
Amazing , humbling.
bevdawnhill7 August 2015
So many courageous people like Tom go unnoticed. Until this film I had not heard of Tom. He should have been recognised as an outstanding person. It takes courage to stand up to the intimidating threats of bully's, hypocrites. Worse still is Bureaucracy that is chin-deep in red tape and useless unnecessary procedures and regulations made up by people who do not have a clue about the people they are supposed to be protecting and refuse to budge when those same rules cause worse situations and danger. YET! He still carried on his amazing work, both he and Jennifer sacrificed and gave up so much of their own lives. As someone says here already "in England he would have been made a 'Sir' ". This film was so very emotional that I cried. Tom truly was an astonishing person to have achieved all he did in his very short life. I feel for Jen and her loss, the first boys too must have been devastated. They must be so grateful for the better start in life he gave them. It would be very interesting to know what lives they have led after they left his care. I would have been very humbled to have met him and Jen, I would have felt honoured.
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