Dead by Sunset (1995) (TV)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Karen Arthur

Writers (WGA):

Ann Rule (book)
Wesley Bishop (written by)

Release Date:

19 November 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama

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. |

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Based On True Story

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

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

Runtime:

Netherlands:185 min | 240 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Portland, Oregon, USA

Company:

Craig Anderson Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: After Brad kills Cheryl in her car and sends it flying down the highway, the headlights turn off and on between shots.

Movie Connections:

References The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Ken Olin and Lindsay Frost give good performances...

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.