Abduction of Innocence

I don't know if this made-for-TV film is based on a true story, but it was very interesting...a typical kidnapping tale with an unusual twist. Clare Steves is the daughter of the richest man in town, in fact, everything in the town is named after him. She is a typical high school girl who wants to go to parties and act in the school play. But her father wants her to only study so she can get into the most prestigious school. When she lands the lead in the school play, he is against it and upset that this project will take time away from her studies. He is not a bad father, but his strickness causes a rift between them, and the mother is uncomfortably between them. She gets kidnapped and tortured by brutal classmates who want her father's money....when they are caught and she is released, they admit to their deed, but claim that she was in on it to get a share of Daddy's money..in fact, they claim that it was indeed HER idea to get revenge on him ! So SHE IS ON TRIAL FOR HER OWN KIDNAPPING !! Both parents are supportive, although Dad has some doubts.

I watched this primarily because I am a big Fan of Dirk Benedict, who plays the father....this is a new type of role for him, and he looks fabulous! I didn't like Lucie Arnaz as his wife, though, she doesn't seem like his type. And Katie Wright's performance, as the daughter, was very poignant.

I found Abduction of Innocence enjoyable in that it had rough spots but a happy ending. Clare Steves wanted to do more than study, but her parents, Robert and Helen Steves, tried to push her into all-work-and-no-play to get her into a prestigious college. Clare rebelled, and went out with Eddie Spencer and Leonard Buckle, who seized her at gunpoint and confined her, leaving her in fear of being raped. Her father paid the ransom money but found that Spencer and Buckle had BROKEN their promise to release her unharmed, finding her unconscious. Her parents assured her, in the hospital, that everything would be all right. However, Clare found herself arrested for aiding and abetting her own kidnapping! Did her abductors file trumped-up charges? At her trial before Judge Curt Block, she testified that she was made to fear being raped by Spencer and Buckle, hence her going along. Spencer was called to the stand; when asked about Clare's testimony, he bellowed GO TO HELL! Judge Block dismissed him. Then Clare's lawyer pleaded that charges be withdrawn as there was no evidence that she did aid and abet her kidnapping; the prosecutor concurred, and Judge Block approved, so Clare was free. Her father apologized (after recovering ransom money), and promised to let her lead more balanced life. Concluding comments mentioned her abductors' receiving lengthy prison sentences, no doubt aggravated by their misconduct during Clare's trial. So, this moment of truth movie had w