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Word of Honor

  • TV Movie
  • 1981
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
114
YOUR RATING
Word of Honor (1981)
ThrillerDrama

A reporter refuses to reveal his source in the case of a young girl's murder. As a result, he and his family are shunned by the residents of their small town. Virtually nobody comes to his d... Read allA reporter refuses to reveal his source in the case of a young girl's murder. As a result, he and his family are shunned by the residents of their small town. Virtually nobody comes to his daughter's wedding, and at his office the police search his desk and his boss threatens to ... Read allA reporter refuses to reveal his source in the case of a young girl's murder. As a result, he and his family are shunned by the residents of their small town. Virtually nobody comes to his daughter's wedding, and at his office the police search his desk and his boss threatens to fire him.

  • Director
    • Mel Damski
  • Writers
    • David Ackles
    • Douglas Graham
    • I.C. Rapoport
  • Stars
    • Karl Malden
    • Rue McClanahan
    • Ron Silver
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    114
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mel Damski
    • Writers
      • David Ackles
      • Douglas Graham
      • I.C. Rapoport
    • Stars
      • Karl Malden
      • Rue McClanahan
      • Ron Silver
    • 4User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos

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    Top cast

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    Karl Malden
    Karl Malden
    • Mike McNeill
    Rue McClanahan
    Rue McClanahan
    • Maggie McNeill
    Ron Silver
    Ron Silver
    • David Lerner
    Largo Woodruff
    Largo Woodruff
    • Amy
    Alexa Kenin
    Alexa Kenin
    • Beverly
    Jacqueline Brookes
    Jacqueline Brookes
    • Spinner
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    • Dist. Atty. Burke
    • (as Jeff DeMunn)
    Henderson Forsythe
    • Peterson
    John Marley
    John Marley
    • Gordon Agee
    Dan Lounsbery
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Gary
    Betsy Baker
    Betsy Baker
    • Denise McNeil
    John Beem
    Carole Morisseau
    Thomas D. Mahard
    Thomas D. Mahard
      Dan Crane
      • Roger Clements
      MacIntyre Dixon
      MacIntyre Dixon
      David Regal
      • Director
        • Mel Damski
      • Writers
        • David Ackles
        • Douglas Graham
        • I.C. Rapoport
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

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      Did you know

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      • Trivia
        The film begins with a concert in Plymouth's Kellogg park. Originally, the local high school band was to perform, but the director felt that they sounded too "professional". He opted to use a less-polished small community band instead. In fact, this same band performed at the location every Thursday evening during summer months.

      User reviews4

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      8/10
      A decent man
      This 1981 film, showed up on cable recently. The film is interesting, and timely, because it parallels a political situation that has been playing in the news in 2005: the imprisoning of a New York Times reporter for not revealing her source about the identity of a CIA agent.

      "Word of Honor", directed by Mel Damski, also deals with a newspaper writer who finds himself at the center of a court case in which a prominent figure of the community is unmasked by the journalist as a sexual predator. Since he is bound by the promise he made to a young, abused girl, who now lives in complete anonymity, this reporter would rather sticks by his word than reveal the story which was given to him in confidence.

      Karl Malden, an actor of integrity, plays the upright Mike McNeill, the reporter for the local paper that is at the center of the story. His oldest daughter is getting married and he risks going to jail and not be able to escort her down the aisle. Mr. Malden plays the role with conviction.

      The film is interesting because it's the first feature in which John Malcovich, an actor who went far in his career, had his first appearance. Rue McClanahan plays Maggie, the wife that sticks by her man and ultimately is instrumental in her husband's acquittal. Ron Silver plays a New York newspaper reporter. Henderson Forsythe, Jacqueline Brookes, John Marley, and the rest of the cast do good work for the director.

      The film is worth seeing because it shows a man that sticks to his principles and will not denounce his source, under any circumstance, and will go to jail to defend what he believes in.
      helpful•7
      0
      • jotix100
      • Sep 18, 2005

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      Details

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      • Release date
        • January 6, 1981 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Der unbekannte Zeuge
      • Filming locations
        • Seminole Hills - Pontiac, Michigan, USA
      • Production companies
        • 20th Century Fox Television
        • Georgian Bay Productions
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

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      • Runtime
        1 hour 36 minutes
      • Color
        • Color
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.33 : 1

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