WATCH YOUR FAVORITE
MOVIES & TV SERIES ONLINE
TRY FREE TRIAL
Home > History >

A Midwife's Tale

Watch A Midwife's Tale For Free

A Midwife's Tale

To understand eighteenth-century America through a woman's eyes, historian and author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich spent eight years working through Martha Ballard's massive but cryptic diary. "A Midwife's Tale" chronicles the interwoven stories of two remarkable women: an eighteenth-century midwife and healer and the twentieth-century historian who brought her words to light.

... more
Release : 1998
Rating : 7.7
Studio : GBH,  Blueberry Hill Films, 
Crew : Production Design,  Set Decoration, 
Cast : Kaiulani Lee Andrew Elvis Miller J. Smith-Cameron
Genre : History Documentary TV Movie

Cast List

Related Movies

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?
What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?   2004

Release Date: 
2004

Rating: 5.2

genres: 
Drama  /  Comedy  /  Documentary
Stars: 
Marlee Matlin  /  Elaine Hendrix  /  John Ross Bowie
Sylvia Plath: Inside The Bell Jar
Sylvia Plath: Inside The Bell Jar

Sylvia Plath: Inside The Bell Jar   2018

Release Date: 
2018

Rating: 6.9

genres: 
History  /  Documentary  /  TV Movie
Einstein and the Bomb
Einstein and the Bomb

Einstein and the Bomb   2024

Release Date: 
2024

Rating: 6.2

genres: 
Drama  /  Documentary
Stars: 
Aidan McArdle  /  Andrew Havill  /  Helena Westerman
Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock
Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock

Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock   2017

Release Date: 
2017

Rating: 6.8

genres: 
Documentary  /  Music
Stars: 
Karen O  /  Tunde Adebimpe  /  Father John Misty
After Death
After Death

After Death   2023

Release Date: 
2023

Rating: 6.3

genres: 
Drama  /  Documentary
Stars: 
Koko Marshall  /  Kate Duffy  /  Nicholas Saenz
Free Kick
Free Kick

Free Kick   2016

Release Date: 
2016

Rating: 7.5

genres: 
Documentary
The Baby of Mâcon
The Baby of Mâcon

The Baby of Mâcon   1994

Release Date: 
1994

Rating: 6.9

genres: 
Drama  /  History
Stars: 
Julia Ormond  /  Ralph Fiennes  /  Philip Stone
BabaKiueria
BabaKiueria

BabaKiueria   1986

Release Date: 
1986

Rating: 7.5

genres: 
Drama  /  Comedy  /  TV Movie
Stars: 
Cecily Polson  /  Athol Compton  /  Tony Barry
Reds
Reds

Reds   1981

Release Date: 
1981

Rating: 7.3

genres: 
Drama  /  History  /  Romance
Stars: 
Warren Beatty  /  Diane Keaton  /  Edward Herrmann

Reviews

Alicia
2021/05/13

I love this movie so much

More
Dotbankey
2018/08/30

A lot of fun.

More
Kaelan Mccaffrey
2018/08/30

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

More
Loui Blair
2018/08/30

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

More
MartinHafer
2012/04/21

In this episode of "The American Experience", instead of focusing on big events or important historical figures, the show is about a very obscure woman and a part of our history we very, very rarely talk about. It's the story of a midwife who lived in Maine in the late 18th and early 19th century. Not only did she deliver babies, but this lady worked on curing a wide variety of maladies--using various folk medicine. This was THE way most folks dealt with medical issues in the day--doctors just weren't that common, plus they were, for the most part, really incompetent.This story comes from the diaries left by the midwife , Martha Ballard, and were brought to life in Laurel Ulrich's Pulitzer Prize-winning book. The story is, uncharacteristically, told not with narration but with interviews (often with Ulrich) as well as LOTS of recreations. The recreations were very lovingly made and took a lot of effort--and I commend the show for this. And, it's a very important historical document of the times. However, as a retired history teacher, I realize that MANY couldn't care less about this sort of mundane history--so it's for a very select sort of audience. The story also does seem quite depressing at times--and gets worse as it progresses. But, if you have some patience and appreciation, I recommend you see it.By the way, the show has a bit of nudity. But, before you get all worked up about this, it's all VERY non-sexual and appropriate for the program. I wouldn't have any problem with kids seeing this but know that some folks simply will go crazy when you see an actress playing dead and her breasts are exposed. Relax....

More
janet-conant
2007/01/01

I first saw this American Experience years ago and it left a lasting impression. Had to read the book but always wanted to see that dramatization. Just bought the DVD the other day. In short nothing I have seen or will ever see again seems so genuinely realistic as what life was like back in the late 1700's for a midwife-housewife. It was like a window into a time lost. I can only admire this woman for all her selfless tiresome drudgery to aid other women in their labor and to nurse sick and dying children.The actors are amazing especially Ms. Lee, who was perfectly cast as Martha Ballad. She has such caring eyes and as she ages shows the wear and tear from such hard labor. To think that her written words are now part of history. How wonderful that she made her own ink and put it all down on paper. A must see for all.

More
Watch Instant, Get Started Now Watch Instant, Get Started Now