Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story (1996– )

True crime story of a Wisconsin teacher's aide who hired teenaged students to murder her estranged husband.

Stars:

Ann-Margret, Peter Coyote, Leslie Hope

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ann-Margret	...	Diane Kay Borchardt (2 episodes, 1996)
Peter Coyote	...	Ruben Borchardt (2 episodes, 1996)
Leslie Hope	...	Claire Brown (2 episodes, 1996)
Christian Campbell	...	Doug Vest (2 episodes, 1996)
Hedy Burress	...	Brook Borchardt (2 episodes, 1996)
Tobey Maguire	...	Chuck Borchardt (2 episodes, 1996)
Freddy Rodríguez	...	Michael Maldonado (2 episodes, 1996)
Cliff De Young	...	Det. Burstyn (2 episodes, 1996)
Dean Norris	...	Detective Pike (2 episodes, 1996)
Jonah Blechman	...	Josh Yanke (2 episodes, 1996)
Tomas Arana		(2 episodes, 1996)
Kurt Fuller		(2 episodes, 1996)
Alanna Ubach	...	Shannon Johnson (2 episodes, 1996)
Veronica Lauren	...	Regan Borchardt (2 episodes, 1996)
Johnny Strong	...	Tim (2 episodes, 1996)
Scott Michael Campbell	...	Cory (2 episodes, 1996)
Aeryk Egan	...	Elgin (2 episodes, 1996)
Andrew Kavovit	...	Jeb (2 episodes, 1996)
James Marsh	...	Jay (2 episodes, 1996)
Angela Paton	...	Joan (2 episodes, 1996)
George Wallace	...	Tom (2 episodes, 1996)
Thomas Charles Simmons	...	Cal Orin (2 episodes, 1996)
Cordelia Richards	...	Sally (2 episodes, 1996)
Susan Barnes	...	Barb (2 episodes, 1996)
Charles Boswell	...	Steve (2 episodes, 1996)
Belinda Balaski	...	Principal (2 episodes, 1996)

Storyline

Based roughly on real-life events, this tv-movie recounts the story of a Wisconsin teacher's aide convicted of hiring teen students first to spy on her cheating husband and later to kill him. The film begins with the murder then traces in flashback the events leading up to it, followed by the subsequent police investigation leading to arrests and eventual criminal convictions of both Borchardt and the teens.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | student | wisconsin | teacher | courtroom | 

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Seduced by Madness

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brian Pike Productions, Ann Margret Productions, NBC Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

200 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References To Die For (1995)

User Reviews

Ann-Margret in a stand out performance....

As Diana Borchardt, a sociopath and schoolteacher who tires of her husband and wants out; this is a very interesting study of what some people are capable of.

Peter Coyote is sympathetic as the victim, Ruben Borchardt; as she calls him "Rube the boob"; she is an emasculating, narcissistic woman, (not schizophrenic as a previous review intimates).

The fact that this was based on a true story makes this all the more relevant, here was a well-liked teacher, popular with the students, capable of unbelievable manipulation, malice and murder.

The murder of Ruben is carried out by several students, who believe Borchardt is being physically abused by her husband (She was not, but concocted this story to acquire life insurance benefits). Tobey McGuire in particular is rather sympathetic as Ruben Borchardt's young son.

Borchardt apparently even visited her in-laws for Easter, knowing that their son was just brutally murdered, to cover up her role in the homicide. The students were pawns, part of her intent to control.

Indeed, no one even benefited from Ruben's death. The house was tied up in debt, and Diana Borchardt never paid the students what she had promised. She thereby perpetuated the psychological theory that there are some sociopaths who subconsciously want to be apprehended for their crimes. 8/10.