a movie from the early 80’s late 70’s about a poor family in maybe tennessee or kentucky, could be a tv movie. siblings get split up and sent to state facilities, two brothers get sent to a boys school and get beat by the employees, one to where his legs are crippled. there’s a scene where the eldest sister has to gives one if the kids a tracheotomy on the side of a dirt road she uses a pocket knife. saw this movie in the early to mid eighties in color. female character brings to mind sissy spacek from coal miners daughter look but it’s not a film in her filmography on imdb. I hope i’m not combining two movies but i think it ends with one of the kids getting hurt playing in a railyard, a railcar rolls over his legs?!
I think you’re remembering two movies. I remember two of the scenes you describe.
The one where the two boys are in the facility is called “Who Will Love My Children?” and stars Ann-Margaret.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086581/?ref_=nv_sr_1
The one with the railroad car, where a little girl is badly injured, is called “The Dollmaker” and stars Jane Fonda.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087160/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_18
the dolllmaker was it, thank you!
Good job HB!