Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann

Peggy Ann Bradnick was 17 years old when she was abducted on her way home from school in the small town of Shady Gap, Pennsylvania by a deranged mountain man looking for "a woman" of his own. There have been a lot of stories over the years of young girls being kidnapped, but this was one I was not familiar with this incident. To be honest, I wasn't even sure if it was a true story or not, and had to do some research afterward to confirm that it was. I generally take the words "true story" with a large grain of salt, but after doing that supplemental research after the fact I became even more impressed wit this TV movie than I already was. It is very faithful to the details of the actual story, and it is both exciting and engrossing almost from the very start, as we're first introduced to Peggy Ann and her large and loving family, then to the kidnapper, who's already wanted for variety of offences, and then see the kidnapping and the search for Peggy, which takes up the bulk of the movie as the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI co-operate.

The strongest part of the movie were the performances of the two main actors. David Morse (a very familiar face) played the kidnapper - known to locals as "Bicycle Pete," and whose real name was Bill Hollenbaugh. Morse, I thought, truly captured the mind and the persona of the kidnapper ans was quite convincing in the role. Megan Follows (a Canadian actress best known at the time for her portrayals of Anne of Green Gables) was also impressive in demonstrating a range of emotions as she sought to survive her ordeal and even developed a sort of sympathy for her kidnapper - who actually didn't physically harm her. The supporting case was very good. There really weren't any performances that detracted from the movie's quality.

There were, I suppose a couple of points that weakened this a little bit. I thought that at the very beginning of the kidnapping ordeal, Follows seemed a bit too calm given what had happened - although she could have been portraying the shock that Peggy must have felt at what had happened, and Peggy's written statement that she read to the media at the end after she was rescued was a bit too heavy on trying to explain Hollenbaugh's actions and get into his mind. But that didn't detract too much from the overall quality of the movie. As TV movies go, this was first rate. (8/10)

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.

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.

I was impressed by how well this TV movie tells the story of the 1966 kidnapping and related events. I was a small child when the actual events happened and so I only had vague memories of them, but "Cry in the Wild" seems to mostly stay true to the factual accounts that I've read, including newspaper articles and the book Deadly Pursuit. Even some of the dialog is factual.

I also especially like how it tells the story without sensationalism, especially compared with over-the-top movies and TV programs that are so commonly seen these days. At the same time the plot moves along well. There are a few fictional elements that might have been added, but they seem relatively minor. There's also some forced, unrealistic dialog that "sets the scene," but that seems mostly confined to the beginning. The characters are treated with respect, and in some cases some depth. From what I read, Peggy Ann was pretty level-headed and perceptive for her age, and that comes through in the portrayal of her. The kidnapper evokes fear and also pity. The dedication of FBI agents, PA State Police, other lawmen, family and others who helped out in the case also comes through well.

I missed out on this true story when it actually occurred, but I feel fairly confident in saying that the producer, writer, and director added very little, if any, "fictional fluff". The movie starts off by showing us the setting and most of the main characters. Everyone and everything looks real and believable; almost always a good indication that the viewer is in for an entertaining movie. And that is certainly the case here. Once the abduction occurs, the director skillfully keeps the interest nonstop and makes us very reluctant to get up and go to the fridge or anywhere else. There are solid performances by the supporting cast; the usual flawless performance we have come to expect from Megan Follows; and a superb performance by David Morse.