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IMDb > Ultimate Betrayal (1994) (TV)

Ultimate Betrayal (1994) (TV) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
5.4/10   59 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Gregory Goodell (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Ultimate Betrayal on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 March 1994 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
This is based on a true story about two sisters who sue their father for incest and child abuse. As the story unfolds... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Reviews:
Gritty; not for the kids or for date night, but very well done "issue" film about overcoming child abuse more (3 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Marlo Thomas ... Sharon
Mel Harris ... Susan

Eileen Heckart ... Sarah McNeil
Kathryn Dowling ... Beth

Henry Czerny ... Ed Rodgers
Donna Goodhand ... Dana Quinn
David B. Nichols ... Pat

Joanne Vannicola ... Karla

Justin Louis ... Wayne
Kim Schraner ... Susan age 15-19
Bret Pearson ... Dave
Valerie Buhagiar ... Helen

Ally Sheedy ... Mary Rodgers
Nigel Bennett ... Steve
John David Wood
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Additional Details

Runtime:
96 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

FAQ

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4 out of 4 people found the following review useful.
Gritty; not for the kids or for date night, but very well done "issue" film about overcoming child abuse, 3 September 1999
8/10
Author: Biscuit-12 from Dallas, TX

This film is based on a true story of a dysfunctional family. It tells the story of the physical, sexual and mental abuse that was rampant in this family and of the now-adult children's attempts to overcome their experiences and regain control of their lives. Some of them consider doing this by going to court, even though their father is a respected public figure.

It sounds like a recipe for hype, but the performances are good and are restrained, allowing the drama and complexity of the subject matter to speak for itself.

This is definitely not a film to watch with your kids, as it portrays several episodes of abuse through flashbacks and descriptions. I was surprised at the frank (though not particularly graphic) depiction of this abuse. It has a very serious approach to the subject.

One thing I really liked--and I thought it was well-written and well-acted, avoiding melodrama--was that the characters' positions change as things unfold. As they talk with each other and think about things, as memories are unearthed, they realize that what they went through as a family had a different effect on each child, and that things are not as black-and-white, cut-and-dried as they at first seemed. Also, it does not have a completely happy ending; some issues remain unresolved. I appreciated the filmmakers' refusal to simplify the issues and characters just so they could wrap it up between commercials.

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