A Son's Promise

An iron-willed Georgia boy accepts the burden of a man on his young shoulders. Fifteen-year-old Terry O'Kelly is fatherless and his remaining parent, his mother, is dying. Anguished, the soon-to-be orphan makes a surprising grown-up decision: Terry promises to care for his six brothers and vows to keep the family together. Steadfast to his word, Terry takes on the struggles of parenthood, which yields some difficult and unpleasant surprises.

Directed by John Korty, A Son's Promise leans on a strong ensemble — Andrew Lowery, Stephen Dorff, Rick Schroder — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about tv movie titles of 1990.