IMDb >
Beyond the Call (1996) (TV)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBeyond the Call (1996) (TV) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 2 | slideshow) |
 |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
23 June 1996 (USA) morePlot:
Russell Gates is a Vietnam vet on death row for killing a policeman. His childhood sweetheart, Pam O'Brien... more | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
User Comments:
Performances Outshine Mediocre Script moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Sissy Spacek | ... | Pam O'Brien |
 | David Strathairn | ... | Russell Cates |
 | Arliss Howard | ... | Keith O'Brien |
 | Janet Wright | ... | Fran |
 | Lindsay Murrell | ... | Rebecca |
| Leslie Carlson | ... | Dan (as Les Carlson) |
| Ken James | ... | Mel |
| Christina Collins | ... | Ruth |
| Andrew Sardella | ... | Mark |
| Wayne Downer | ... | Policeman #2 |
| Diane D'Aquila | ... | Angela |
| Christine Reeves | ... | Cop's Wife |
 | Rufus Crawford | ... | Thibodeaux |
 | Desmond Campbell | ... | Guard #1 |
| John Pearson | ... | Guard #2 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for strong language and some violence.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
101 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Ultra StereoFilming Locations:
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaFAQ
How does it end?more
more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Beyond the Call (1996) (TV)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Just Cause | Samson and Delilah | Cry of the City | Too Young to Die? | Call Northside 777 |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
"Beyond The Call" is a good example of how strong, committed actors can get mileage out of a script that is both hackneyed and occasionally unbelievable.
Sissy Spacek and the terrific David Strathairn are both in top form as a psychologically damaged Vietnam veteran on death row for the killing of a policeman, and the woman who tries to get him to plea for clemency and finds out that there's more to the "killing" than meets the eye.
Arliss Howard is also fine as her increasingly jealous husband, a Vietnam vet himself who has put much emotional energy keeping his war-related emotions under control, and feels nothing but contempt for a fellow vet who becomes a convicted criminal because he can't do the same. Yet this husband isn't quite the same by the time the film is over.
Despite these performances, the script is generally predictable and many of the scenes between Spacek and Strathairn would be mawkish in lesser hands. But these two are so attuned to each other as performers that you are moved nonetheless. The once big false note is a scene between Strathairn and Howard that may be necessary to bring about the desired changes in Howard's character, but it's completely unbelievable.