Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann

On May 11, 1966, a 17 year-old school girl from Shade Gap, Pennsylvania (Megan Follows), is kidnapped by some recluse hillbilly (David Morse) and forced to live in the wilds while on the run from authorities. David Soul plays an FBI agent while Dion Anderson is on hand as a Sheriff.

"Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann" (1991) is a TV flick that closely follows the true story with minor alterations. It was the most-watched primetime show of the week.

There are elements of "Deliverance" (1972), "First Blood" (1982) and another well-done TV movie, "Nightmare at Bittercreek" (1988). Of course it doesn't have the budget of the first two, but that doesn't prevent it from being a first-rate television film, realistic and compelling.

After watching, be sure to check out the 27-minute interview with Peggy Ann Bradnick on Youtube done on the 50th anniversary of the harrowing abduction in 2016. (The movie itself is also available on Youtube for free).

The film runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in Los Altos Hills, California, as well as nearby Cupertino & San Jose, at the south end of San Francisco Bay. While these locations are a far cry from south-central Pennsylvania, the producers did a good job of picking a lush, hilly area as a decent stand-in for the real locations.

GRADE: B

This film was quite surprising, it seemed like it was going to just be another thriller but because it was created with a true story witch gave it a chilling effect and true story's are always good to watch. The basic story line is that a girl gets kidnapped by a redneck and is taken into the woods the film follows the story of trying to find her and the strain it has on her family meanwhile you learn more about the demented mind of the kidnapper overall this movie is pretty good,acting is good and i aren't saying its a top hit but its definitely worth a watch

overall:7/10

it would have got higher but being a true story its best not to over exaggerate.

For a made for TV film, "Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann" is very good.

The script is functionally well written, and it transitions rather seamlessly through the vital plot points.

David Morse plays a character named Bill, and he gives a solid performance as the deranged and misunderstood loner the townsfolk have derisively nicknamed, Bicycle Pete. Title character, Peggy Ann (Megan Follows), leaves viewers asking for more. She portrays the abducted held captive very impassively. As this film is based on a true story, perhaps the real-life Peggy Ann survived the harrowing incident by taking on a reticent disposition.

Jack Kehler sells the part of Peggy Ann's distressed father quite well. The film lags a little at it's midpoint, but it quickly returned to form, holding my attention until the end.

Overall, this is a great movie where most scenes are carried by Morse's strong acting. In addition, the cinematography is quite good; viewers are treated to some nice shots of a rugged, wild landscape.

Ruthless and brutal immediately come to mind when describing David Morse's detestable mountain man character. But Morse is no dummy, he has food hidden strategically among the mountains near Shade Gap Pennsylvania, where this true story takes place. His preparation and outdoor skills are more than a match for the disorganized and squabbling local police, State Police, and F.B.I. In some ways the movie resembles "King Kong" as there is at times a faint sympathy factor regarding the damaged character that Morse portrays. Make no mistake, this is a strong performance by David Morse, while the rest of the cast simply revolves around him. An exciting and violent ending is an appropriate climax to the manhunt. Recommended viewing. - MERK

I liked this film, not only because it was well played by the leading 2 characters, but also because it did'nt stray onto the territory of abuse or violence this kind of film could have displayed, if it had been daring enough, it could have shown to the full the humiliation and degrading way in which Peggy Anne was treated, but it just lifts the surface of what could have been quite a disturbing film if it had been made for the big screen. I have to say the film is slightly wayward to the extent in which it almost made you feel sorry for the kidnapper, as he really did'nt do much in the film to deserve him the right to be hailed down with a hail of bullets. Even so I still enjoyed it.