The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case (TV 1976)

Fact-based story of the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., son and namesake of the famed pilot, and ensuing trial of accused and convicted killer, Bruno Hauptmann.

Director:

Buzz Kulik

Writer:

J.P. Miller

Stars:

Cliff De Young, Anthony Hopkins, Denise Alexander

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cliff De Young	...	Charles Lindbergh
Anthony Hopkins	...	Bruno Richard Hauptmann
Denise Alexander	...	Violet Sharpe
Sian Barbara Allen	...	Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Martin Balsam	...	Edward J. Reilly
Peter Donat	...	Col. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
John Fink	...	Mr. Anderson
Dean Jagger	...	Koehler
Laurence Luckinbill	...	Gov. Hal Hoffman
Frank Marth	...	Chief Harry Wolfe
Tony Roberts	...	Lt. Jim Finn
Robert Sampson	...	John Curtis
David Spielberg	...	David Wilentz
Joseph Stern	...	Dr. Schonfeld
Katherine Woodville	...	Betty Gow (as Kate Woodville)

Storyline

Fact-based story of the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., son and namesake of the famed pilot, and ensuing trial of accused and convicted killer, Bruno Hauptmann.

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Plot Keywords:

charles lindbergh | kidnapping | trial | loss of child | german immigrant | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Entführung des Lindbergh-Babys

Filming Locations:

Colusa, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

148 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the 20-month-old Lindbergh baby appeared on the 1932 cover of TIME magazine, he became the youngest cover subject in the magazine's history.

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Goofs

On the stand Bruno said he was gassed on Xmas 1918, the war ended on Nov. 11,1918.

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Crazy Credits

In deep appreciation this film is dedicated to Leonard Horn for whom it all began.

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Connections

Version of Crime of the Century (1996)

User Reviews

Thought Provoking

It was a good thing that this enactment began directly with the crime itself, rather than lengthy Lindbergh background information. Hero parade footage under the opening credits sufficed.

The viewer was plunged into the night of the kidnapping, which was meticulously presented, as was every aspect of this torturous event.

One became aware of the media circus that ensured, spurred on by an invasive press and "nosey" public. One was struck by the absurdity of so many people reaching their own conclusions without being privy to actual case evidence.

What was particularly disturbing was the re-enactment of a capital punishment crowd brandishing its "eye for an eye" primitive philosophy. Likewise, was the extreme consequences offered by the price of fame.

A worthy cast included several veteran actors, bringing great feeling to their roles. Despite its over-length, the drama maintained interest.

The ending credits admitted to the story's being "based" on fact, with "some characters and incidents fictional." Just where the lines of demarcation occurred left one hanging regarding full script credibility (ironically, I caught this on the "True Stories" channel).

For a general background of this highly publicized case, this enactment provided useful informative.