Shadow on the Land (1968)

Patriotic freedom fighters struggle against a fascist dictatorship in a near-future USA.

Director:

Richard C. Sarafian

Writers:

Nedrick Young, Sidney Sheldon (creator),

Stars:

Marc Strange, Jackie Cooper, John Forsythe

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marc Strange	...	Maj. Shepherd McCloud
Jackie Cooper	...	Lt. Col. Andy Davis
John Forsythe	...	Gen. Wendell Bruce
Gene Hackman	...	Rev. Thomas Davis
Carol Lynley	...	Abigail 'Abby' Tyler
Janice Rule	...	Capt. Everett
Michael Margotta	...	Timothy Willing (as Mike Margotta)
Scott Thomas	...	Felting
Myron Healey	...	General Hempstead
Frederic Downs	...	Drucker
Jonathan Goldsmith	...	Lt. Allen (as Johnathan Lippe)
Bill Walker	...	Arnold
Mickey Sholdar	...	Paul
Ronnie Eckstine	...	David
Sandy McPeak	...	Ben (as Sandy Kevin)

Storyline

Near-future freedom fighters battle Nazism, which has developed in the US rather than 1930's Germany. A look at an alternate history, with interesting social implications.

---

Plot Keywords:

unsold tv series pilot | resistance fighter | totalitarian government | alternative history | based on novel

---

Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Drama

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

United States: It Can't Happen Here

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As the camera tracks with protagonist, a bookstore in the background displays copies of only one book: "My Struggle" by "The Leader", which is English for "Mein Kampf" by "Der Fuehrer" (Adolf Hitler).

---

Quotes

Gen. Hempstead: Davis was an Army man. As such he belongs to me, and I demand...!
Gen. Wendell Bruce: YOU DEMAND? Well, let me remind you that the Internal Security Forces SUPERSEDE the Army! Why, I could have your resignation so fast you'd wonder what fell on you. 'You demand'!
Gen. Hempstead: I apologize for what was perhaps a bad choice of phrase. But I *request* some explanation!

User Reviews

Home of the Free

A rarely shown TV movie and series pilot that I have not seen in decades. All I remember is the film revolves around the takeover of the U.S. by a totalitarian authority and the efforts of an underground movement trying to ferment resistance. The film opens with a violent attack on a military base by the underground, leading to one of the most startling results I have seen on television. It was meant to shock the audience, and it did.