The Penalty Phase (1986 TV Movie) User Reviews

An ideal combination of director, script and cast.

[rsoonsa · 9/10 · 17 November 2001]

Tony Richardson's first foray into television since his early days with the BBC, PENALTY PHASE features Peter Strauss as Kenneth Hoffman, running for re-election as a superior court judge while presiding at a media displayed trial of a murderer of 17 young women, Nolan Eshelman (Richard Chaves). The film nearly begins with the reading of "guilty on all counts" for Eshelman, and thereupon Hoffman must decide upon a just sentence from the eponymous penalty phase. Complicating matters is a series of anonymous letters to Judge Hoffman which infer that Eshelman was the victim of an illegal search by police detectives, and that evidence used in the trial was recovered from him before a search warrant was sworn out. Hoffman's opponent in the election is the prosecuting district attorney during the trial, Susan Jansen (Jonelle Allen), who takes full advantage of media efforts to popularize an image of Hoffman as a starry eyed liberal, soft on criminals. As Hoffman pursues his investigation of the anonymous allegations, he discovers a wider range of corruption among his confreres than he expects, lending more nettlesome circumstance to what he discerns will be a widening range of critical decision-making on his part. After having excavated more dross than he might wish, Hoffman must decide to either give up his robe by electoral defeat, or yield his principles to those with whom he finds scant sympathy. The scenario is by Gale Patrick Hickman, an attorney and a former presiding judge in Orange County, California who, in addition to the film's important cardinal theme, includes several sub-plots which serve to heighten the work's element of suspense. The storyline is arranged as a battle between the zeitgeist of the Earl Warren era and its successor period, when Warren Court emphases have been maligned. Peter Strauss gives a finely nuanced performance, leaving the viewer with a raft of open concepts as to his ultimate actions and rationale: a splendidly executed part. The supporting cast gives nothing except its best, thanks to fine direction, especially Karen Austin and Melissa Gilbert as Hoffman's past and current loves, Millie Perkins, Art LaFleur and Richard Bright. An excellent score is in place by veteran composer Ralph Burns, while cinematographer Steve Yaconelli and editor David Simmons are obviously in ongoing rapport with Richardson's point of view. In sum, Richardson, Strauss and company have provided, in this little discussed motion picture, a cohesive and piquant narrative of a man who must deal with an engulfing series of personal crises, yet while retaining a sense of integrity.

Surprisingly meaningful and worth taking the time for.

[ttaskmaster · 9/10 · 3 January 2011]

Bought for the sole reason that it stars Peter Strauss.

This appears to be a made-for-TV movie, so don't expect those Hollywood over-the-top "Oscar winning" performances... Instead, be pleasantly surprised by how well non-mainstream actors actually do their job. As with many such productions, this just looks like a bunch of people doing stuff. It's almost documentary in it's execution... but that is what real life is like and the performances in this film are realistic indeed. One gets the impression that this might be one of those 'based on a true story' tales.

The plot is sensible enough and holds a small surprise at the end for those who think they know the plot before it's even started. The subject matter is quite poignant and as relevant today as it was back here in the 80s.

Few names I personally recognise in this, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Richard Chaves, whom some may remember as Poncho Ramirez in Predator! Strauss himself, as always, brings a very realistic and human depth to his portrayal of his character. On the surface, the judge is played as written and the script is evident, but anyone familiar with Strauss's performances will easily note how much more than just dialogue Pete brings to this role. He plays well off his fellow stars and they play well off him.

Definitely worth a watch!!

Melissa Gilbert's performance is Penalty Phase is misleading

[Stanbabe · 7 June 2003]

This film is a disappointing satire of the justice system's efforts to rule on capital punishment.The judge(played by Peter Strauss)is trying to deal with a contriversal ruling for a criminal.Who many want to see get the death penilty.While the pro life group wants to see this man get either life in prison or a parole and some psycho-thearpy to help rehabilitate him back into society.The judge doesn't want to louse up this situation.Since he needs positive votes from his consituates to earn him another term on the bench.Melissa Gilbert's appearances in this film are limited to two cameos.Both of them are minor and one.Where she tries to have illicit sex with Judge Strauss is neither sexually exciting or nessicary for the scene.Mr.Strauss' performance in this film is equally forgettable.In Short.."Penality Phase"is a tv movie drama that should have been condemned before it ever got to the network airways.