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IMDbPro

Echoes in the Darkness

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1987
  • Unrated
  • 4h 10m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
518
YOUR RATING
Echoes in the Darkness (1987)
Drama

Based on the true life story that took place in 1979, this movie follows the murders of Susan Reinert (Stockard Channing) and her two children in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, a case ... Read allBased on the true life story that took place in 1979, this movie follows the murders of Susan Reinert (Stockard Channing) and her two children in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, a case that lasted seven years.Based on the true life story that took place in 1979, this movie follows the murders of Susan Reinert (Stockard Channing) and her two children in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, a case that lasted seven years.

  • Stars
    • Peter Coyote
    • Stockard Channing
    • Robert Loggia
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    518
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Peter Coyote
      • Stockard Channing
      • Robert Loggia
    • 18User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 4 nominations total

    Episodes2

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    TopTop-rated1 season1987

    Photos2

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    Top cast30

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    Peter Coyote
    Peter Coyote
    • William Bradfield Jr.
    • 1987
    Stockard Channing
    Stockard Channing
    • Susan Reinert
    • 1987
    Robert Loggia
    Robert Loggia
    • Jay Smith
    • 1987
    Peter Boyle
    Peter Boyle
    • Sgt. Joe Vannort
    • 1987
    Cindy Pickett
    Cindy Pickett
    • Sue Myers
    • 1987
    Gary Cole
    Gary Cole
    • Jack Holtz
    • 1987
    Zeljko Ivanek
    Zeljko Ivanek
    • Vince Valaitis
    • 1987
    Alex Hyde-White
    Alex Hyde-White
    • Chris Pappas
    • 1987
    Treat Williams
    Treat Williams
    • Rick Guida
    • 1987
    Vincent Irizarry
    Vincent Irizarry
    • Montione
    • 1987
    Philip Bosco
    Philip Bosco
    • Judge Garb
    • 1987
    Brenda Bazinet
    Brenda Bazinet
    • Lynn Reinert
    • 1987
    Diane D'Aquila
    • Pat Schnure
    • 1987
    Tony De Santis
    Tony De Santis
    • Lou De Santis
    • 1987
    Patricia Hamilton
    Patricia Hamilton
    • Dorothy Hunsberger
    • 1987
    Susannah Hoffmann
    Susannah Hoffmann
    • Beth Ann
    • 1987
    Alan Jordan
    • Ken Reinert
    • 1987
    Isabelle Mejias
    Isabelle Mejias
    • Shelly
    • 1987
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    6.8518
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    Featured reviews

    10albion1100

    Mini Series Question

    I saw this mini series on television many years ago. I purchased the movie but the movie on DVD is way shorter than the mini series. Does anyone know how I am able to get the mini series.

    My heart goes out to the family and all people involved in this crime. Brad field was a mastermind of weaving a web of deceit and lead all those people into a place that would take years of healing if they ever do. I have also read the book and it is very close to the movie. Thanks so very much for the reviews written by the families and relatives of those involved. It is a breath of fresh air to read them after reading the book and getting only a small amount of understanding of what you must have gone through. I have two children also and the thought of that happening to them is absolutely dreadful. God bless all you do and bring peace into your hearts. God had dealt with William Bradfield. Live your lives as fruitful as possible.

    Any response greatly appreciated. Thanks and regards
    Bawoof

    True Cliffhanger

    The night Part 1 aired on tv, I was inexorably drawn in. When Part 2 aired, I recorded it because I had to work that night. It was the same night a horrible storm hit--when I came home to my VCR, I'd discovered that the entire episode was UNWATCHABLE! This forced me to buy the novel to find out what happened. The novel is much more graphic and involved, but it turned me on to Joseph Wambaugh because it was the only true-life-horror-mystery-tragedy that I actually laughed out loud while reading! The book is very morbidly funny! Years later when I acquired the video, my girlfriend lamented that it was too long--until we started watching it...when Gary Cole utters the final lines of the cliffhanger--"What kids?" then we saw "To Be Continued..." flash across the screen, I jokingly said: "Well, it's late and I need to be leaving, I'll show you Part 2 some other time." She grabbed me and told me that I WASN'T GOING TO LEAVE until we watched the second video! Yes, it's that good! Watch it if you like true crime--but read the book too!
    3hyper_acctive

    this is not completely true.

    I live in the town and attended the school where this took place around the time when it occurred. the frame work of the story is true, and the names of the people are true, but little else is true. Upper Merion is not on the Main Line, we did not go to school in a Gothic cathedral. Many of the people portrayed in the story are portrayed poorly and maliciously. These events permanently have harmed them, and this movie has not helped. These events did occur and affected the school and the people involved. However, this does not reflect the real stories behind the people and the school.

    This is a fine movie for entertainment value, but please do not believe everything portrayed in it.
    birdsburro

    Great Movie

    Bill Bradfield was my landlord back in 1982. He was preparing to go to trial for the murder of Susan Reinart at the time. My friends and I rented a fixer upper from him out near French Creek Park. He was at the house all the time. Things happened there that could never be explained, and I became very frightened. He drove a green VW, and had a very nasty dog. I had many encounters with Bill and I never felt comfortable around him. It wasn't long before I left and moved back home to live with my father. Peter Coyote was great in the movie, but the Bill that I knew at that time was a tall, manipulative, clever, and creepy man. The movie didn't make me as sick as I did when I was around the real thing. Great movie though.
    9billycutshaw

    Outstanding true life story of greed, murder and madness

    An truly outstanding, compulsive drama based on a true story concerning charismatic would-be poet Peter Coyote (in a career best performance) and his manipulation of just about everyone he comes into contact with, eventually leading to murder. This is a fascinating, intriguing telling of a rather bizarre murder case with not only Coyote on top form, but also matched by Robert Loggia as his exceedingly odd, certainly unhinged partner-in-crime. Just watch those final moments in the court-room as he completely loses it and incriminates himself. Wonderful stuff! There are also some very fine supporting performances, not least Peter Boyle's turn as one of the investigating detectives.

    This is really what made for TV movies do best and I would recommend this without hesitation. Once you begin watching, you'll be hooked!

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    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Part I of this film aired, a group of William Bradfield, Jr.'s fellow inmates went to his cell and demanded that he reveal where the bodies of the children were hidden. Bradfield refused and was subsequently placed in solitary confinement for his own protection. He requested a television so that he could watch Part II but guards refused, telling Bradfield that he already knew how the story ended.
    • Quotes

      Jack Holtz: What kids...?

    • Connections
      Featured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)

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    FAQ16

    • How many seasons does Echoes in the Darkness have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Schatten in der Dunkelheit
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production company
      • New World Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 4h 10m(250 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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