Fatal Vision (1984) (TV)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

David Greene

Writers:

John Gay (writer)
Joe McGinniss (book)

Release Date:

18 November 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A retiree spends nine years relentlessly seeking to prove that his son-in-law, a former Green Beret Army doctor, murdered his pregnant wife and two children.

Plot Keywords:

Father In Law | Murder | Courtroom | Ice Pick | Pregnant Woman Murdered

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Karl Malden	...	Freddy Kassab
Eva Marie Saint	...	Mildred Kassab
Barry Newman	...	Bernie Segal
Gary Cole	...	Capt. Jeffrey MacDonald, MD
Andy Griffith	...	Victor Worheide
Gary Grubbs	...	James Blackburn
Joel Polis	...	Brian Murtagh
Mitch Ryan	...	Paul Strombaugh
Wendy Schaal	...	Colette MacDonald
Scott Paulin	...	William Ivory
Barry Corbin	...	Franz Grebner
Albert Salmi	...	Judge Dupree
Alexandra Johnson	...	Helena Stoeckley
Paddi Edwards	...	Mrs. Perry MacDonald
Frank Dent	...	Joe McGinniss

Runtime:

200 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16

Company:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Movie Connections:

References Easy Rider (1969)

Good movie

I have my own opinions on the guilt or innocence of Jeffrey McDonald, but I do not intend to get into a sparring match over it here. I wanted to comment on the movie itself.

I found this to be a very well made and well acted movie. I'm not a real big fan of Gary Cole but I thought he was great here--he had to display a whole gamut of emotions and did so quite admirably. The only thing I could really remember Karl Malden from other than this was "Pollyanna" and his acting has definitely improved over the years--I thought he did an excellent job. And Andy Griffith is a hoot, even in such a serious role! I also liked the flashback scenes that were used to help fill in the blanks in the couple's past.

The only complaint I have is that by the movie starting with the minutes following the murders, you don't really get to feel you "knew" Collette and Kimmy and Kristy. It was a VERY effective opening scene but at the same time it sort of robbed the viewer of having any kind of relationship with Collette and the girls. The flashbacks helped--maybe if they had found a way to squeeze in a couple more? You couldn't help but feel horrified by what had happened to them, but I think it could have been felt more deeply if you had time to get more "attached" to them.

Overall it was a good made for TV miniseries.