Dead Silence (TV 1997)

Three escaped convicts from prison take a group of deaf students hostage and hold them captive to keep the authorities at bay. FBI agent John Potter (James Garner) leads the FBIs hostage ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Petrie Jr.

Writers:

Jeffery Deaver (novel), Donald Stewart (teleplay)

Stars:

James Garner, Kim Coates, Marlee Matlin

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Garner	...	John Potter
Kim Coates	...	Theodore 'Ted' Handy
Marlee Matlin	...	Melanie Charrol
Lolita Davidovich	...	Det. Sharon Foster
Charles Martin Smith	...	Roland W. Marks
Kenneth Welsh	...	Sheriff Lenny Budd
James Villemaire	...	Ray 'Sonny' Bonner
Gary Basaraba	...	Shephard Wilcox
Barclay Hope	...	Sheriff Gene Stillwell
Vanessa Vaughan	...	Susan
Blu Mankuma	...	Special Agent Henry Lebow
Mimi Kuzyk	...	Donna Harkstrawn
Scott Speedman	...	Officer Stevie Cardy
John Bourgeois	...	Major Daniel Tremaine
Neil Crone	...	Airport Security Officer

Storyline

Three escaped convicts from prison take a group of deaf students hostage and hold them captive to keep the authorities at bay. FBI agent John Potter (James Garner) leads the FBIs hostage rescue team in their efforts to get the kids released without harm and also to capture the escapees. The children's teacher Melanie (Marlee Matlin), uses sign language to assist the agents in expediting surrender of the convicts.

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Plot Keywords:

hostage | new york | fbi | sign language | children | 

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Taglines:

Three escaped convicts. Seven young hostages. Once chance for survival.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

11 January 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dead Silence - Flammen in der Stille

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Communications Corporation, Home Box Office (HBO), Interscope Communications

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although filmed in Ontario, Canada and British Columbia, Canada, the story ostensibly takes place in or near a place called "Beaumont, New York," which is not a real town, city, or county in the State of New York.

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Goofs

When Ted gets into the disabled red van, the hood is closed. After it fails to start and he gets out of the van, the hood is open.

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Crazy Credits

The F.B.I. and the Coast Guard were not involved in the production of and did not endorse or approve the making of this film, or any part of it.

User Reviews

Treat for Deaver lovers

If you're a fan of Jeffery Deaver novels then you will have read 'A Maiden's Grave'.

And you will not be dissappointed by this screen interpretation of the novel.

It sticks closely to the plot.

The screenplay is crisp and clear and the characters well portrayed.

A group of deaf students and their teacher have their bus highjacked by three escaped criminals and they are then held hostage in an old slaughterhouse.

The duel between the seasoned hostage negotiator (played by James Garner) and the hostage takers is superbly crafted.

There is an added twist at the end.

If you've read the book you will love every minute, if you haven't then you will still enjoy an excellent thriller.

Well done.