IMDb > Murder Ordained (1987) (TV)

Murder Ordained (1987) (TV) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   122 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Mike Robe (writer)
James Steven Sadwith (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Murder Ordained on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 May 1987 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
This is the story of a minister who's feeling unhappy in his marriage. Who then has an affair with a church employee... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
Pretty close to fact! more (15 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Keith Carradine ... Trooper John Rule

JoBeth Williams ... Lorna Anderson

Kathy Bates ... Bobbi Birk

Guy Boyd ... Mike Buckley
Joel Colodner ... Simon Long

John Goodman ... Hugh Rayburn

Robert Harper ... Warren
Terence Knox ... Martin Anderson
Darrell Larson ... Ronald Stark
Annabella Price ... Sandy Bird

Margot Rose ... Nancy Horst

M. Emmet Walsh ... Vern Humphrey

Terry Kinney ... Pastor Tom Bird

Anne E. Curry ... Loraine Rule

Bruce French ... Bruce Linton
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Additional Details

Runtime:
Germany:185 min (2 parts) | USA:185 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

FAQ

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful.
Pretty close to fact!, 4 December 2005
9/10
Author: charlenelv from United States

I spent ten years working at the correctional facility where both Tom Bird and Lorna Anderson did their time. Lorna was transferred when the female inmates were all sent to Topeka, but Tom Bird remained at Lansing Correctional Facility for his entire incarceration. The resemblance between the real Tom Bird and the actor was amazing. However, the children, especially the youngest girl could have been related. I remember one time feeling especially bad when the children flew in from another state to visit their father, I was working the visiting room at the time, and saw that the movie was playing on a local channel about the time the kids probably got to their motel. They would visit their father for 5 days in a row since they were so far away. The actors that played Tom Bird's parents were uncanny in their looks and actions as well. I suppose this did much to explain my high marks for the movie. I have seen many docu-dramas depend on sensationalism, but this one played it close to the vest, and really did get the point across about the relationship between the two. Unfortunately the movie was made before Lorna Anderson was convicted of her husband's death or before Tom Bird re-married. He was paroled just last year. I am hopeful there will be no cause to make a sequel about the murder of yet another Sandra Bird. Keith Carradine and Kathy Bates were excellent as well in the movie. Their performance was every bit as good as a huge production rather than a made for TV movie. They should all be commended for such good work. It is just sad that no studio will release this excellent work on DVD and the only way to see it is to catch it on late night TV.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Murder Ordained (1987) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I Have The Trailer! funkmasteroli
Anyone know the title of the book? jax7153
Need a copy radditz_13
Why isn't this available for Region 1? charlenelv
Here is the true story brooklolly
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Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Crime section
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