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

Movie is so true to life

This movie, I feel, is so true to life. It is one of those movies that grips you so deeply that is stays with you long after you have seen the movie. I keep wanting new information on the real people who committed this crime and I feel a movie that causes someone to do that is excellent. I thought some of the acting in it was a little over done, but all in all I think this movie deserves a 10 rating.