The Deliberate Stranger (1986) (TV)

Director:

Marvin J. Chomsky

Writers:

Hesper Anderson (writer)
Richard W. Larsen (book)

Release Date:

4 May 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Based on a true story, this film depicts the life of Theodore Robert Bundy, the serial killer. In 1974...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Serial Killer | Killer | Police Station | Police Department

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Mark Harmon	...	Ted Bundy
Frederic Forrest	...	Det. Bob Keppel
George Grizzard	...	Richard Larsen
Ben Masters	...	Det. Mike Fisher
Glynnis O'Connor	...	Cas Richter
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Det. Sam Davies
John Ashton	...	Det. Roger Dunn
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Louise Bundy
Billy Green Bush	...	Officer Bradley (Provo detective)
Frederick Coffin	...	Jerry Thompson
Deborah Goodrich	...	Martha Chambers
Lawrence Pressman	...	Ken Wolverton
Macon McCalman	...	Larsen's editor
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Mrs. Richter
William Boyett	...	Aspen detective

Runtime:

185 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | USA:Not Rated

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The Utah mall incident occurred in 1974 yet the Stevie Nicks album "Rock a Little", which is displayed on the store window behind Bundy and his intended victim, was not released till 1985.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Turbulence (1997)

Harmon Good Choice For Bundy

A two-part, made-for-TV movie on the life of serial killer Ted Bundy, this was an intriguing, well-done film. Mark Harmon is excellent as Bundy. He has similar looks and is an underrated actor. I doubt if they could find a better actor to play this particular role.

In this day-and-age, it's nice to see a movie in which the cops are portrayed as tough but fair and likable. In this case, the two main ones are played by Frederick Forest (Apocalypse Now )and John Ashton (Midnight Run). Since it was made for television in the 1980s, the movie has little profanity and blood. Most of the time, the violence is implied. It's still chilling in parts. We don't always need CSI-type blood and guts to get the point.

What they missed, however, was WHY Bundy did the things he did. They had time to develop that angle, but never touched it. Supposedly, violent pornography had something to do with his behavior, but nothing was explored in this film. Overall, it was still an interesting story and amazing how many people he fooled and how he could escape twice after being arrested. Good story.