Although it runs no less than 185 minutes, this made-for-TV drama really holds the attention and never let's go of the tension from start to finish. Partly this is due to the evil fascination of the real-life story itself, partly to the superb acting of an absolutely faultless cast, and partly to brilliant writing and direction by Emmy award- winning TV specialist Mike Robe (who has, to date, never worked in any other medium but television). I could run through the entire cast, giving ticks here, there and everywhere – the courtroom exchanges and characters are absolutely brilliant – but, like almost everyone else, I fasten my attention on the brilliant performance of Terry Kinney who, despite the fact that he's listed way down the cast list is actually the screenplay's principal character, the real-life Pastor Bird, a charismatic but totally evil preacher. Available on a superb RAAM DVD.
Review of Murder Ordained
Murder Ordained
(1987 TV Movie)
A Bird in the Hand is a Bird to Beware!
3 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers