The Deliberate Stranger (1986)

Based on a true story, this film depicts the life of Theodore Robert Bundy, the serial killer. In 1974, after having murdered several young women, he leaves Seattle for Utah, where he is a ... See full summary »

Director:

Marvin J. Chomsky

Writers:

Richard W. Larsen (book), Hesper Anderson (teleplay)

Stars:

Mark Harmon, Frederic Forrest, George Grizzard

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Harmon	...	Ted Bundy
Frederic Forrest	...	Det. Bob Keppel
George Grizzard	...	Richard Larsen
Ben Masters	...	Det. Mike Fisher
Glynnis O'Connor	...	Cas Richter
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Det. Sam Davies
John Ashton	...	Det. Roger Dunn
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Louise Bundy
Billy Green Bush	...	Officer Bradley (Provo detective)
Frederick Coffin	...	Jerry Thompson
Deborah Goodrich	...	Martha Chambers
Lawrence Pressman	...	Ken Wolverton
Macon McCalman	...	Larsen's editor
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Mrs. Richter
William Boyett	...	Aspen detective

Storyline

Based on a true story, this film depicts the life of Theodore Robert Bundy, the serial killer. In 1974, after having murdered several young women, he leaves Seattle for Utah, where he is a law student and where other girls disappear. It takes the cooperation of a number of police forces to work efficiently on this case. Soon, but not soon enough, the police eliminate endless possibilities and close in on him. Bundy is tried in the media and his good-boy attitude brings him sympathy but also the hatred of many.

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Plot Keywords:

police | killer | serial killer | evil man | sadistic rapist | 

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Taglines:

He was easy to like. Deadly to know. Tough to catch.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alptraum des Grauens

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

185 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Ted Bundy continued to claim he was innocent until shortly before his execution in Florida's electric chair in 1989. Bundy provided details of the murders even as he was walked to the chair.

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Goofs

One of the guys in the line-up (which takes place in Colorado) is played by the same guy who also played one of the anonymous "Teds" being interrogated by the Seattle police.

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Connections

Referenced in Turbulence (1997)

User Reviews

Mark Harmon shows his dark side as Ted Bundy...

Dark and disturbing as it is, this is still a well worth watching made-for-TV movie (shown originally in two parts) that gives MARK HARMON one of his best roles as serial killer Ted Bundy, the charming man who fooled most of the people most of the time while he continued a murder spree that lasted far too long.

That's the disturbing thing about the Ted Bundy story. There were many people who suspected him along the way--at a time when he should definitely have been reported to the authorities--but he always had luck on his side and managed to escape serious notice or detention until it was much too late.

A sobering look at Bundy's exploits as he weaved his way around college campuses in pursuit of any young woman he could fool into entrapment. Based on true incidents, it's a dark story that is told without showing the amount of gore involved--which may be a downer for anyone looking for a tale of excessive violence to be more graphic.

Nor does it really dig deep enough below the surface to show what may have caused his emergence as a psychopath. Harmon is completely normal looking as Bundy and could have used more disguises, just as Bundy did, but still gives a very effective performance. Others in the large cast do competent jobs but it's Bundy who rivets all the attention.

Chilling and disturbing tale, but well done.