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IMDb > "Dead by Sunset" (1995)

"Dead by Sunset" (1995) More at IMDbPro »TV mini-series

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Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   175 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Ann Rule (book)
Wesley Bishop (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Dead by Sunset on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
19 November 1995 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A doctor meets a handsome, successful man and soon marries him--unaware that he cheated on his first wife, raped her, abused and tortured his children, and when his wife was about to leave him, murdered her.
User Reviews:
Ken Olin and Lindsay Frost give good performances... more (13 total)

Cast

  (Series Cast overview, first billed only)
Ken Olin ... Brad Cunningham
Annette O'Toole ... Cheryl Keeton Cunningham

Lindsay Frost ... Sara Gordon

John Terry ... Mike Shinn
Sally Murphy ... Susan Keeton
Titan Crawford ... Jesse Cunningham
Cody Crawford ... Michael Cunningham
Clay Malensek
Michael Scheinman ... Phillip Cunningham

Michael Harney ... Det. John Raines
Jill Alexander ... Lyn Minero
April Arwood ... Dana
Lee Baldino ... Patrolman McCoy

Robert Blanche ... Bailiff
Tim Blough ... Berkowitz
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Additional Details

Runtime:
Netherlands:185 min | 240 min (including commercials)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Continuity: After Brad kills Cheryl in her car and sends it flying down the highway, the headlights turn off and on between shots. more
Movie Connections:
References The Sword in the Stone (1963) more

FAQ

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2 out of 3 people found the following review useful.
Ken Olin and Lindsay Frost give good performances..., 6 November 2006
8/10
Author: MarieGabrielle from United States

This is a surprise mystery/suspense film which portrays the sad and realistic true story of Bradley Cunningham, an abusive husband who was married five different times, and was charged with the murder of his fourth wife (well-portrayed by Annette O'Toole).

Cunningham had three young sons, and each performance in this film is very sympathetic (they each had red hair like their murdered mother).

The film is well done in that we see Cunningham's initial relationship with O'Toole, how it becomes increasingly sadistic (he cheats on her uses the children as pawns, and she reports his business to the IRS). Then the developing relationship with Lindsay Frost (who just happens to be a successful surgeon) Brad's estranged sister mentions; Brad was always planning, people are objects, they belong to him. A clear portrayal of a narcissistic personality.

There is a scene with John Terry as O'Toole's attorney/colleague; he is attempting to charge Cunningham with the crime in civil court, since the initial evidence wouldn't stand in criminal court. He meets Lindsay Frost (who is now Cunningham's fifth wife, as yet unaware of what he is capable of). He mentions to her that Cunningham has been married many times, has the victim's diary, and wants her to learn the reality of the situation.

Given the subject matter, this is very well-done. So many other films tackling this subject seem over the top, or become laughable (i.e. there was one LMN movie in particular with Janine Turner; can't recall the name) Frost's performance is also excellent, and sympathetic as she rescues Cunningham's sons from his further lies and manipulations. Based on the true crime novel by Ann Rule (who also wrote the book "The Stranger Beside Me", "Before he wakes" and several other true crime books) This film is well worth watching. 8/10.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Dead by Sunset" (1995)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
the book was great never saw the movie,was it good? cardinal1970
for the true story brooklolly
mind boggling triceecar1980
Where can i buy the movie Dead by Sunset tonitdc
Dead by Sunset (1995) (mini) cmunroe
Another Oregon crime by Ann Rule cjteninty
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