Word of Honor (TV 1981)

A reporter refuses to reveal his source in the case of the murder of a young girl. As a result, he and his family are shunned by the residents of the small town in which they live. ... See full summary »

Director:

Mel Damski

Writers:

David Ackles (screenplay), David Ackles (story),

Stars:

Karl Malden, Rue McClanahan, Ron Silver

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Karl Malden	...	Mike McNeill
Rue McClanahan	...	Maggie McNeill
Ron Silver	...	David Lerner
Largo Woodruff	...	Amy
Alexa Kenin	...	Beverly
Jacqueline Brookes	...	Spinner
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Dist. Atty. Burke (as Jeff DeMunn)
Henderson Forsythe	...	Peterson
John Marley	...	Gordon Agee
Dan Lounsbery
John Malkovich	...	Gary
Betsy Baker	...	Denise McNeil
John Beem
Carole Morisseau
Thomas D. Mahard	...	(as Tom Mahard)

Storyline

A reporter refuses to reveal his source in the case of the murder of a young girl. As a result, he and his family are shunned by the residents of the small town in which they live. Virtually no one comes to his daughter's wedding, and at his office, the police search his desk, and his boss threatens to fire him.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | murder

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avslöjandet

Filming Locations:

Seminole Hills - Pontiac, Michigan, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Georgian Bay Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film begins with a concert in Plymouth's Kellogg park. Originally, the local high school band was to perform, but the director felt that they sounded too "professional". He opted to use a less-polished small community band instead. In fact, this same band performed at the location every Thursday evening during summer months.

User Reviews

A decent man

This 1981 film, showed up on cable recently. The film is interesting, and timely, because it parallels a political situation that has been playing in the news in 2005: the imprisoning of a New York Times reporter for not revealing her source about the identity of a CIA agent.

"Word of Honor", directed by Mel Damski, also deals with a newspaper writer who finds himself at the center of a court case in which a prominent figure of the community is unmasked by the journalist as a sexual predator. Since he is bound by the promise he made to a young, abused girl, who now lives in complete anonymity, this reporter would rather sticks by his word than reveal the story which was given to him in confidence.

Karl Malden, an actor of integrity, plays the upright Mike McNeill, the reporter for the local paper that is at the center of the story. His oldest daughter is getting married and he risks going to jail and not be able to escort her down the aisle. Mr. Malden plays the role with conviction.

The film is interesting because it's the first feature in which John Malcovich, an actor who went far in his career, had his first appearance. Rue McClanahan plays Maggie, the wife that sticks by her man and ultimately is instrumental in her husband's acquittal. Ron Silver plays a New York newspaper reporter. Henderson Forsythe, Jacqueline Brookes, John Marley, and the rest of the cast do good work for the director.

The film is worth seeing because it shows a man that sticks to his principles and will not denounce his source, under any circumstance, and will go to jail to defend what he believes in.