"My only point in writing this review is warn people that it is not the same as TV version. It is a good film.
Not sure exactly what version is on the DVD and how it different from the TV version, but the DVD version does not have Henry Wrinkler as the narrator.
I recall watching this on TV many years ago, and there are scenes missing from the DVD version that were on TV. My guess is that this version was created before the TV version which Wrinkler narrates. Wrinkler does not narrates the DVD version, and the DVD version seem more of a "promotional" film hyping a perfectly happy Debolt family. My recollection of the TV version was it more realistic about the family struggles with raising such a large family of disabled children.
"
Good for keeping your family in perspective
J. Kennel | Terre Haute, IN USA | 10/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I stumbled across this documentary on Amazon and was very pleased to see it. I had never heard of it until I found it here on Amazon, but it is terrific to watch in a family setting or in a group of parents. It helps keep issues or struggles in perspective. Three simple things I took away from this film: they had a LOT of music and singing in their home; the parents admitted that they each had meltdowns at times and were very aware of keeping each other "up" and on top of the family; Mr. DeBolt stated that a person can make such a difference in a child's life by just spending 30 minutes with them. Both parents were shown doing just that, including pushing the "handicapped" children to new heights of achievement. VERY inspiring to see this family in action. If you think you can't expect great things from your children, think again (and buy this video)."
A personal recollection
Rick Carver | Virginia, USA | 09/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I went to school with Marty Atwood and met his sister Mimi. I remember the Life photographer coming to school to take a picture of Marty for the magazine in 1971. Where are you now Marty? Richard Ennis"
Amazing True Story
David E. Clark | 07/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a true story of a family with 19 mostly adopted children. Most of them are handicapped! If you think it's tough raising your kids, you need to see this. You don't know how easy you have it! :-)"
Loving Children
L. Lorette | country, outside San Juan Bautista, Ca USA | 12/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As soon as I saw this film, I raised it right up to one of my top films, of the thousands I've seen. I don't think in my rather long life I have ever seen anyone like Karen, one of the children in the movie. This girl was really something.
Since others have already described and summarized the film well, I will limit myself to my own reactions to "Who Are the Debolts?".
The film is well made, overlooking the unfortunate "Hollywood" voice of the narrator, -fortunately what you will actually see on the film, which you will probably have never seen before, is good enough that the narrator problem fades into the background.
I thought the editing was just about perfect, as there were no scenes which I wish hadn't been there, a rare experience for me. The sequences were also well chosen, and the film moves right along. Importantly, it ends at a good point, a difficult thing to do for a documentary of this type. Uniquely, there were no downsides to the film from where I was observing.
I found watching happy children who were loved and cared for and brought up in a family where there was a good marriage, was so rewarding, and educational. It was definitely food for my soul. I think it's a good film to see around Christmas time. (I'm going to buy it and lend it to my friends and family.)"