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.
- Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
- 4 nominations total
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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
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
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!
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.
This is a fine movie for entertainment value, but please do not believe everything portrayed in it.
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.
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!
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!
Did you know
- TriviaWhen 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...?
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)
- How many seasons does Echoes in the Darkness have?Powered by Alexa
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