ITV viewers have been moved to tears by a 'heartbreaking' documentary titled The Missing Children, which explores the Irish Mother and Baby Home scandal. The film, originally released in 2021, is now available to stream on ITVX and has been discovered by a new audience, prompting emotional reactions on social media.
The documentary focuses on the Tuam home in Ireland, where hundreds of children either died or were adopted from the institution. It shares personal stories of survivors and families, uncovering the truth about what happened behind closed doors. According to ITV, the film provides an 'unflinching and vital account' of the scandal, which continues to impact lives today.
Viewers have taken to TikTok and other platforms to express their distress. One user described it as a 'must watch' but 'absolutely heartbreaking', while another said they 'cried my heart out'. The documentary, running just under 90 minutes, features interviews with relatives, survivors, and adoptees, exposing the treatment of children, the sale of babies, and alleged falsified documents.
Executive producer Gena Konstantinakos said the filmmakers aimed to tell the story of 'horrific cruelty and hypocrisy' by the Irish government and Catholic Church, as well as the ongoing push for accountability. ITV's Controller of Current Affairs, Tom Giles, noted the film's 'unrivalled access' to those closest to the investigation.
