Murder Ordained (TV 1987)

Based on the true story of a bedroom-eyed Kansas preacher who decided that getting rid of his wife, and his secretary's husband, was the will of the Lord.

Director:

Mike Robe

Writers:

Mike Robe, James Steven Sadwith (teleplay),

Stars:

Keith Carradine, JoBeth Williams, Kathy Bates

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

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	...	Tom Bird
Anne E. Curry	...	Loraine Rule
Bruce French	...	Bruce Linton

Storyline

This is the story of a minister who's feeling unhappy in his marriage. Who then has an affair with a church employee, who is also married, and who also has affairs, and whose husband is unwilling to divorce her. One the day the minister's wife is found dead, in what appears to be an auto accident, but the highway patrolman who investigated the accident doesn't think that it's an accident but doesn't have enough evidence to justify an investigation. Later, when the woman's husband is killed an investigation begins.

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Plot Keywords:

minister | church | secretary | shooting | murder | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blutige Hände

Filming Locations:

Emporia, Kansas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Braun Entertainment Group, CBS Entertainment Production, Interscope

Technical Specs

Runtime:

185 min 185 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on events in Emporia, Kansas, from 1983 to 1987. Lorna Anderson was paroled in 2007; Tom Bird was paroled in 2004--and announced his intention to work as a marriage counselor.

User Reviews

A Christian's point of view

As a Christian, I found this movie's portrayal of a fallen pastor quite convincing. When the opening says that it was based upon a true incident, I want to really know more, and how much of this movie has been embellished. Temptation is all around us, and it has been around us long before James Baker and Jimmy Swaggart. This makes the long life and ministry of the Reverend Billy Graham so much more marvelous. Imagine the temptations that man has had placed before him for over 50 years of public ministry around the world. I know that his prayer life must be powerful. I felt that this was one of Keith Carradine's best movies, and the investigation part of the film was excellent. JoBeth Williams was so seductive in her role. It was great to see future Acadamy Award winner Kathy Bates. Great movie, great plot, great acting--sad story. Christians should remember one thing: If Satan had no problem tempting the Lord (3 times!), why we're just a "piece of cake" to him. We need a powerful prayer life.