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48 Hours

Original title: Forty Eight Hours
  • TV Series
  • 1988–
  • TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
48 Hours (1988)
48 Hours: Season 31
Play trailer0:18
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Crime DocumentaryTrue CrimeCrimeDocumentary

One of television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style.One of television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style.One of television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style.

  • Creator
    • Judy Tygard
  • Stars
    • Erin Moriarty
    • Peter Van Sant
    • Richard Schlesinger
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    2.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Judy Tygard
    • Stars
      • Erin Moriarty
      • Peter Van Sant
      • Richard Schlesinger
    • 18User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 21 wins & 24 nominations total

    Episodes1490

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    Videos2

    48 Hours: Season 31
    Trailer 0:18
    48 Hours: Season 31
    48 Hours
    Trailer 0:21
    48 Hours
    48 Hours
    Trailer 0:21
    48 Hours

    Photos241

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    Top Cast99+

    Edit
    Erin Moriarty
    Erin Moriarty
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1988–2025
    Peter Van Sant
    Peter Van Sant
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1988–2025
    Richard Schlesinger
    Richard Schlesinger
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1988–2022
    Maureen Maher
    Maureen Maher
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 2003–2022
    Susan Spencer
    Susan Spencer
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1988–2020
    Dan Rather
    Dan Rather
    • Self - Host…
    • 1988–2024
    Harold Dow
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1988–2016
    Troy Roberts
    Troy Roberts
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1999–2021
    Bill Lagattuta
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1998–2007
    Tracy Smith
    Tracy Smith
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 2010–2024
    Bernard Goldberg
    • Self - Correspondent
    • 1988–2000
    Lesley Stahl
    Lesley Stahl
    • Self - Host…
    • 1999–2020
    Jim Axelrod
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 2002–2025
    Natalie Morales
    Natalie Morales
    • Self - Correspondent
    • 2022–2025
    Nikki Battiste
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 2021–2025
    Michelle Miller
    Michelle Miller
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 2012–2024
    Victoria Corderi
    • Self - Correspondent
    • 1988–1991
    Jerry Bowen
    • Self - Correspondent…
    • 1988–2003
    • Creator
      • Judy Tygard
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    7.52.6K
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    Featured reviews

    9Sylviastel

    Not the Movie!

    I was watching 48 Hours on Saturday nights because they focus on murder cases like Katherine Woods case and others on a weekly basis. They go into detail of a case, talk with suspects, witnesses, friends, relatives, and others about the case as well as the prosecutors, policemen, and defense attorneys. They also help us understand the community and environment where these crimes happen. Of course, they talk about injustices, legal talk, and the case at hand. Trials can be both boring and exciting at the same time. The show has changed from being investigative to focusing on one subject to help us understand the story which is always reality. It's always frightening how potent the truth can be. How people who look like you and me could be involved in such horrendous crimes? Especially when the victim is close member of the family, spouse, friend, etc. Recently, they had done the Napa murders and are going to do an hour on the Atlantic City Murders which has not been solved. They also follow up on cases like the Katherine Woods case too.
    8videorama-759-859391

    48 hrs = 60 minutes of greatness

    My Dad loves this show, and openly, admittedly, it's growing on me a bit. Reason being, for not really partaking in viewing this show, although I've never got up off the couch, a couple of episodes, I've seen with Dad, on the ole sofa, is the cases, are not of infamous serial killers. No, these involve obscure known cases, involving some grisly, heartless murders of killers, who's facades are so normal, their creepy and nightmarish. The show is very well put together, which is what I really like, no reenactment, the guises left open. The stories, really go in the killer's history, and how the murderous events unfolded. I've never seen a crime show, go this much into it. A well utilized show, is a must see, for lives of non fiction crime. Some of them, may give the heebie geebies in the after. I do know too, in future, I won't be making a big effort to get off of that couch.
    9blanbrn

    An investigative and in depth staple that entertains and ask questions.

    For years being a viewer of "CBS" this award winning real life investigative news program "48 Hours" has always been a must view as the reporting and interviews and cases examined are cutting edge and often open for challenge with both sides of the legal system often making challenges and fighting for answers. Each case featured does involve crime mostly murder and the cases are real life many are cold cases unsolved one's from many years ago it's like a search and find mission a detective show at it's best! It's really interesting and in depth many stories and cases featured are high profile and in depth that involve cases of serial killers. The interviews given with family members, police, and suspects are revealing and eye opening. Plus the reporting is from top notch "CBS" reporters! Overall award winning must see investigative show from "CBS" one of it's real life best!
    10sethmlanders

    Wonderful documentary crime drama!

    These are one of those shows that keep you hooked until the end. The suspense is also really well done. The best time to watch this is at night, it's really a great experience. You sometimes don't know whether the cases get resolved at the conclusion.

    It is a intriguing show that is edited in such a sure-handed way. You hear different sides to the story, from the authorities to lawyers and from criminals to the friends & family of the victim(s). There's a lot that goes on within that hour!

    48 Hours Mystery and 48 Hours on ID are the ones I like the most but the original 48 Hours is just as great as its successors. The genres are mixed so well, like drama and sometimes horror, and I'm glad there are so many to watch. If you don't have/use DVR for your cable, you can easily find full episodes on YouTube and the CBS News website. Give it a watch and you'll want to know more about the story in each episode from beginning to end.
    7recklessron

    Nothing to do with 2 days anymore AND not much of a mystery

    This documentary series badly needs to be renamed.

    Nova, Horizon and Panorama could all show almost any of these episodes - although this show does focus almost exclusively on murder cases that were unclear, at least initially, as to the culprit and/or have questionable witness, police or prosecutors.

    I find many of these cases to be frustrating, at best. Innocent people are harmed and never get justice, and least not swiftly and, to my way of thinking, that isn't actually just.

    Sadly, most of these cases highlight the ignorance, stupidity, biases and incompetence surrounding all aspects of those participating in the legal system. It boggles the mind how often those in charge make life-altering decisions on cases on a whim, or from bias, incompetence or laziness, and then stand behind those bad choices come hell or high water. Often committing crimes beyond perjury to cover up their errors, often aiding criminals and often causing great harm to innocents.

    All in all its a dose of reality for those who see the world through rose coloured glasses.

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    Related interests

    The Thin Blue Line (1988)
    Crime Documentary
    Lee Norris and Ciara Moriarty in Zodiac (2007)
    True Crime
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      "The Killing Game" about the life of killer Rodney Alacala was the last story by the well respected Harold Dow. Dow passed away as a result of complications from acute asthma during its production; he had arrived at a hospital emergency room and an inhaler was later found on the floor of his vehicle. Dow's son was brought in to finish narration of the episode and 48 Hours dedicated the episode posthumously to Dow.
    • Quotes

      Announcer: [repeated line]

      Announcer: the mystery continues in 90 seconds.

    • Connections
      Edited into Who Killed JFK? Facts Not Fiction (1992)

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    FAQ17

    • How many seasons does 48 Hours have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 19, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Forty Eight Hours
    • Filming locations
      • West 57th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • CBS News Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 1.78 : 1

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