Yesterday's Children (2000 TV Movie) User Reviews (20)

We feel and know that we are Eternal-Benedict De Spinoza

[sol-kay · 8/10 · 15 June 2005]

Truly touching movie that will leave you in tears about an Allentown PA. career woman Jenny Cole somehow getting in touch with a long deceased Irish housewife Mary Sutton both sensitively played by Jane Seymour.

Jenny Cole getting these dreams at night and visions in the daytime about this women in Ireland back in the 1930's that become so traumatic that Jenny at the insistence of her mother Maggie,Clair Bloom, goes to a psycho-therapist Dr. Garrison, Stanly Anderson, to undergo treatment.

Put under hypnosis Jennys description of her life as Irish mother and housewife Mary Sutton is so profound and, what to Dr. Garrison seems to be, so accurate that the idea of reincarnation comes into mind even though Jenny is almost totally ignorant of that strange and unscientific phenomena.

Drawing a number of sketches of her dreams and visions Jenny sub-consciously drew a map of some strange town and when Maggie shows her a map of Ireland she without a second thought points out the obscure little town of Malahide. Later ordering a map of Malahide from her local book store the map of the town is exactly like her drawing of it! Jenny as well as her mother Maggie now know that the only way to cure her obsession of her life, before she was born as Jenny Cole, in Malahide is to travel to the Emerald Isle and find out the truth, if there is one, about her previous life as Mary Sutton for herself.

One of the best made for TV movies ever made that is also the best documented example if there is such a thing in life, and death, as the enigma of reincarnation. After a number of false leads Jenny and her teenage son Kevin,Kayle Howard,were just about to give up and go back home to Allentown when she's approached by an elderly man who knew her, as Mary Sutton, and her family when they lived in Malahide back in the 1930's.

"Yeasterday's Children" makes you into a believer even if you don't want to be one because it's so emotionally charged, as well as heart-lifting. The movie override whatever you disbelieved about the theory of re-birth to wanting it to be true just in order for the film to have the happy ending that it does not caring at all if the film is based on truth or is a work of fiction. Even the acting by those in the movie seems to be driven more by inspiration and belief then by reading ones lines and doing his, or her, best to make them come to life.

Nice

[The_Pc · 7/10 · 11 March 2006]

I particularly liked the scenes in Ireland the 30s and present day. The child actors were great and Jane Seymour did a nice job in portraying Mary in the 30s... I had a hard time however to grasp what she tried to portray as Jenny. Maybe she wanted to bring out the typical US overrated sentimentality of her US personage - overblown and with little depth (and far from 41). If that is the case it was spot on, just as the husband and son almost caricatural portrayals.

Pity this was not a UK movie instead of a US one, it might have been that little bit better and more believable. Everything just fitted too nicely in place, like a 4-piece puzzle. Rubbing off a big part of this high-gloss polish and the pseudo-intellectual yack-yack about reincarnation leaves a nice little story for a Sunday afternoon family viewing.

This is an amazing story

[AnglGirlLprd · 27 September 2004]

When I first watched this. It got to me. And now 4 years later, it still has the same effect on me. This movie has opened my eyes to the possibility of soul reincarnation. I do hope that someday this can come out on VHS/DVD. It is a wonderful movie and I think everyone should have a chance to see it.Jane Seymour is excellent in her double role as Jenny/Mary. I believe that the film does the story extreme justice. I hope that someday I can show my children this epic story. I being of Irish descent am particularly drawn to this film for obvious reasons. But no matter who you are this film will raise some questions about what happens after we die.I rate it a five star movie. Hopefully CBS will have the heart to release it.

One Soul Reaching Another Soul

[whpratt1 · 10/10 · 2 December 2004]

This was a very soul searching film with great acting by Jane Seymour who played (Jenny Cole/Mary Sutton,"Touching Wild Horses",'02. Jenny Cole seems to have troubling dreams about a family in a small town in Ireland where a woman has to put up with a drunkard of a husband and a child abuser. He is told that his wife with lose her life if she has any more children and her husband is too busy drinking to really care. There is great photography in Ireland and former veteran actor Hume Cronyn,(Sonny Sutton),"The Pelican Brief",'92, plays the older son to Mary Sutton and gives a great supporting role. You will need some tissues to view this film and some belief in the Spiritual World!

A truly fascinating story

[suecooper69 · 9/10 · 20 February 2001]

What an incredible story. This is an excellent TV Movie inspired by a true story.

Two ladies, different times, lifestyles apart, but on the same extraordinary and quite inexplicable wavelength.

This does have some quite harsh and brutal domestic scenes which really make you feel for the main character.

A truly fascinating and very emotional tale. Jane Seymour is terrific and I highly recommend you take a look at this one.

This is the kind of movie Jane Seymour needs!

[michaela1 · 10/10 · 6 November 2000]

They say you can't please everyone but with this movie Jane Seymour may have succeeded. What was there to not love about this movie? Absolutely NOTHING. It was sheer perfection from the beauty of the Irish countryside, the haunting gaelic music, the excellent script and direction to stellar acting by all especially Jane herself. This is the kind of movie Jane Seymour shines in! I was moved to tears throughout and riveted to my screen the entire 2 hours. Chemistry among all the cast was excellent and Jane was definitely at her finest here. Someone please tell this woman she doesnt need action movies to attract the advertisers, all she needs is an excellent movie like Yesterday's children! Kudos to all involved in this one, Writer, Director, Cast and Jane Seymour herself. I've now watched this one 5 times and it just gets better!

Amazing story, terrible film...!

[daniele-iannarelli · 3/10 · 5 August 2019]

Well, what can I say, except: Wonderful story, terrible film...!

This film was based on the true story of Jenny Cockell, an Englishwoman who discovered evidence of her multiple reincarnations.

Ok, fine, but WHY has this been changed to a USA setting??? Jayne Seymour, although a perfectly competent actress IS an English actress... but she's playing an American. Now, this is never a problem, I've no real issue with that, but when it's supposed to be SET in the UK as well... it really irritates. The film also portrays a kind of ironically patronising perception of the aged.

The great character actor Hume Cronyn plays "Sonny". As great as he is, with classics like Spartacus (1960), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) and many more to his name, he - again - is American and simply cannot present a convincing Irish accent... in fact, he gives NO Irish accent, just a standard American accent.

The incessant whining of the background 'new-age' music is particularly irritating. It's obviously intended to create a haunting, ethereal feel but serves only to rub me up the wrong way, and add to the completely unnecessary sickly sentimentality.

Although this is a great true-story, an amazing true-story, I'm afraid I can't agree with all the ridiculously high ratings people seem to have been awarding the movie. This slow-paced, very low-budgeted, boring film... is badly directed, only just teetering on 'competently' acted and way toooo sickly sentimental.

Such a shame.

souls reaching out across time

[ronald-willson · 10/10 · 13 April 2005]

Looking back to a life which is partly your own and partly shared by people from another time stretches the imagination -- one has to feel for these desperate souls trying to relate, drawing a strong parallel with the struggles we go through in relating to those within our own lifetime; the notion of reincarnation allows us to feel and empathize with souls reaching across time, a wonderful concept whether you can accept the idea scientifically or not. Be brave... jump out of science and let your soul discover the light fantastic! The acting was fine, the pace was perfect, the location scenery was charming, and the characters were positively Shakespearian...the oldest son spoke with his eyes, even though he was very old and his body had almost died, and he made aging feel what it is...powerful, wise, understanding and compassionate, qualities in aggregate which youth can only reach toward.

Two words - Highly recommendable !

[nicholas.rhodes · 3 July 2002]

Seen on French TV under the title "Les Ombres du Passé", and now available on DVD in France for under 6$, this is a highly worthwhile purchase ! Picture quality is excellent, and the story itself send shivers down your spine at times and at other moments fills you with orgasmic joy. Acting is first rate and the Irish countryside is beautifully filmed. The final "reunion" of the film filled me with an undescribable sense of joy. The story, though in the domaine of the paranormal is highly plausible, and we follow with pleasure and anticipation Jane Seymour's research of her Irish Family. I would highly recommend the film to anyone the least bit sentimental and who at the same time is fascinated by things para-normal! Excellent !

Yesterday's Children absolutely wonderful!

[michaela1 · 10/10 · 4 November 2000]

They say you can't please EVERYONE but this movie came awfully close for most fans of Jane Seymour. I thought it was one of the best movies she has ever made! Everything worked from the hauntingly beautiful music, to the costars, the excellent directing to of course the stellar acting of Jane Seymour herself. Its a shame Jane has been cast in such low budget movies lately that many of her fans seem to have lost faith. Yesterday's Children proved what this incredible actress can do given a real budget, decent co-stars and excellent script and direction. I was moved to tears many times. Lets hope more quality vehicles of this kind are in store for fans of Jane Seymour! Drama is definitely her forte NOT Action movies!

Incredible movie, Superb acting Jane Seymour and Hume Cronyn were AWESOME!!

[nedav · 10/10 · 4 November 2000]

Another feather in Jane Seymour's cap!! (in Hume Cronyn's as well!!) Superb job on both their parts. Jane was flawless as the Irish mother and the American woman. She delivered a heart-wrenching performance and really made you feel the woman's pain!! Probably close to her best performance.

Haunting Movie

[ndgrad71 · 10/10 · 19 March 2006]

I watched this movie for the first time last year and it stayed with me. While channel-surfing yesterday I found this movie just starting so I decided to watch it again. I'm so glad I did! This is by far one of Jane Seymour's best movies ever. She does a superb job playing a dual role and making both characters very believable. I could almost feel her pain as Mary and her confusion and angst as Jenny. If one was not inclined to believe in reincarnation they might be persuaded to believe after seeing this movie. The music is one of the most haunting melodies I've ever heard. Being of Irish descent and having travelled to Ireland several times I am well aware of the beauty of the country and the warmth of its people, which was beautifully portrayed in this movie. I also thought the ending was done quite well.

I would suggest that before sitting down to watch this movie you pop some popcorn and grab a box of tissues. Be prepared to hear the music in your head for a long time. I'm just disappointed that the music is not available on CD.

One of the best movies Jane has ever starred in

[fannykemble · 10/10 · 3 November 2000]

I'm still overwhelmed by this movie. I've watched it several times after receiving a copy from an American friend, and I'm not getting tired of seeing it again.

I thought "Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble" was Jane's best work since "Dr. Quinn - Medicine Woman", and it would be difficult for her to get a role of equal quality, but I was wrong. Yesterday's Children is an excellent movie and shows Jane Seymour at her absolute finest. The role of Jenny/Mary was tailor-made for her and I highly recommend it to every fan of Jane Seymour to at least watch it once.

You're bound to be moved

[RachelLone · 2 March 2004]

This is a true story. Living in the middle US with her loving husband (Clancy Brown) and her teenage son (Kyle Howard), Jenny Cole (Jane Seymour) was pregnant with her second child. At the same time, she started having vivid, recurring dreams about a poor, big family living in Ireland about half a century ago. Jenny's memories became more and more intense. She talked about it to her mother, who showed Jenny her drawings about that small town, Malahide when she was a little girl. Jenny also went see a psychologist in hope to find out more about the Irish woman's life which constantly appeared in her dreams. In her memories, the woman, Mary Sutton had four children, one still born baby and soon later another baby girl. As well as her abusive husband. Jenny was determined to track down all the children, so she went to Ireland and her search began. She set out to make the Suttons reunite, after all these decades...

Mary Sutton's life was short misery. She died at the age of 37 due to ill health. Throughout her life she had never been treasured by her husband. Now Jenny believed that she was Mary in her past incarnation and that her mission was to bring Mary's children together, so Mary's last wish could be fulfilled...

The acting, the score are heartbreaking. The tale is simply touching. Now, the question is: Do you believe in reincarnation?

The care of a mother for her children beyond her death

[clanciai · 10/10 · 2 August 2021]

This is actually a true story although replenished with miracles or rather miraculous circumstances that constantly keep piling up to monumental dimensions all endorsing without any shadow of any possible doubt the fact of how the phenomenon of reincarnation sometimes works. The only alien thing in the film is the priest, who actually has no business there at all, and it appears that he is not given any significance in the novel as well. This must be one of Jane Seymour's best performances if not the very best, as both the tortured Irish mother with five bullied children in Ireland of the 30s and the young modern mother of Pennsylvania who by her dreams is compelled to complete an unfinished chapter of what she even herself refuses to accept at first as a previous incarnation, while of course her husband and son also are quite incredulous - at first. She is saved by an expert author on the phenomenon, who understands the seriousness of her revelations and urges her to go on. She simply has to, since her dreams and revelations never cease to haunt her and building up a constantly clearer picture of a great and very typical Irish family tragedy. The plot is miraculously tied up into a very satisfactory and releasing conclusion, that can leave no eye or heart untouched.

A concret prove of countless existences!!!

[elo-equipamentos · 9/10 · 2 January 2018]

In Brazil we have around twenty million spiritualist who I'm one of them, this american movie goes straight to the point, based on a book and adapted to screen, a fine production in easy understand about multiple existences which we have to pass to get a best place and position, this poignant true fact brings to light for a bright woman Jenny Cole which had a brave decision to make it happens, end up in this priceless movie with strong performance of Seymour and Hume Cronyn, this events proves at once more the real truth, we had multiple experiences in our journey to reach on the perfection of soul!!! A Low bugde but almost a masterpiece!!

Resume:

First watch: 2.000 / How many: 3 / Source: Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 9

One soul CAN reach out to touch another across time.

[veronicammartin · 8/10 · 25 June 2011]

I gave this a film an 8 because although it is beautifully done and acted and the locations scenery is superb, I object to how names and locations are changed when it is supposed to be factual. She should be Jenny Cockell in England ...not Jenny Cole in USA . WHY change it ? Jane Seymour gives a remarkable performance and as always knows how to act with her face as well as her words. The children in Ireland are beautifully evocative. Hume Cronyn makes an appearance ...But again ...why ? when there are so many Irish actors ? The main line for me seemed to be , ''yes, we believe that one soul can reach out and touch another''.

A lovely film that is truly unforgettable because of it's haunting and painful subject matter. Just let factual mean factual please!!

Be Careful

[lerkim · 9/10 · 20 January 2008]

The story of Yesterday's Children is one of the most extraordinary movies ever made, it sinks right into your heart and lets you search for reasons. Many wish for a story so incredible that tears will fall upon their faces all the time well here it is. The plot is so beautifully told, and the actors make a great statement for other people to come, but when it gets down to it the story mostly shows true feelings when we see Jane Seymour and Hume Cronyn.

The music in this movie is like folk music somehow and a lot like something elves would chant in peace and hope, but i believe that one more thing that makes this movie so great and so cry able.

Be careful...

That you don't cry...

disappointed when compared with the book

[thejaw · 10 October 2004]

The book dealt with the reincarnation of Mary and how Jenny is compelled by the love and concern for her children felt the strong need to go back to her former family and how she finally brought the scattered family together. The film plays the reincarnation on a low key.This spoils the story and changes the full meaning of the main theme. The film ignores many important facts from the book.The book has a haunting grip on you and establishes many points in reincarnation. I cannot imagine Jenny Cockell allowing the changes that had been made to her story.

The priest plays a important role in the film whereas in the book he does not get involved in Jenny's research after the preliminary info. This does seem strange. The idea of Mary's spirit contacting Jenny does not get much importance in the book. I felt that the whole purpose of the book was lost in the film story. I do commend Jane Seymor on her moving performance.

How did it finish?...

[debbphil · 9 November 2004]

Hello all

I started watching this film for the first time today as it was being shown here on television. Unfortunately I was unable to watch the end of the film and I wondered if someone could explain to me how it finished? I got up to the part where Mary's daughter Elizabeth is greeted at the train station by Jane Seymour, her family and the local priest. Can anyone fill me in from there as I would really like to know what happened.

I am not a big Jane Seymour fan, but I really think that she was excellent in this portrayal.

Thanks heaps.