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IMDbPro

In the Custody of Strangers

  • TV Movie
  • 19821982
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
430
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,439
1,412
In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
Drama
A teenage delinquent who goes on a drunken joyride is left in jail overnight by his parents in the hope that he might learn a lesson from it.A teenage delinquent who goes on a drunken joyride is left in jail overnight by his parents in the hope that he might learn a lesson from it.A teenage delinquent who goes on a drunken joyride is left in jail overnight by his parents in the hope that he might learn a lesson from it.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
430
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,439
1,412
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Robert Greenwald
    • Writer
      • Jennifer Miller
    • Stars
      • Martin Sheen
      • Jane Alexander
      • Emilio Estevez
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Robert Greenwald
    • Writer
      • Jennifer Miller
    • Stars
      • Martin Sheen
      • Jane Alexander
      • Emilio Estevez
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 10User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos10

    In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
    In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
    IN THE CUSTODY OF STRANGERS 1982
    Martin Sheen, Jane Alexander, Ramon Estevez, Judyann Elder, and Jon Van Ness in In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
    In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
    In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
    In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
    In the Custody of Strangers (1982)
    In the Custody of Strangers (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Martin Sheen
    Martin Sheen
    • Frank Caldwell
    Jane Alexander
    Jane Alexander
    • Sandy Caldwell
    Emilio Estevez
    Emilio Estevez
    • Danny Caldwell
    Kenneth McMillan
    Kenneth McMillan
    • Albert C. Caruso
    Ed Lauter
    Ed Lauter
    • Judge Halloran
    Matt Clark
    Matt Clark
    • Mike Raines
    Virginia Kiser
    Virginia Kiser
    • Dr. Forman
    Jon Van Ness
    Jon Van Ness
    • Corky
    John Hancock
    John Hancock
    • Judge Bennett
    Deborah Foreman
    Deborah Foreman
    • Karen
    Susan Peretz
    Susan Peretz
    • Big Faye
    Peter Jurasik
    Peter Jurasik
    • Andy Barnes
    Judyann Elder
    Judyann Elder
    • Marni Blake, Prosecutor
    Pat McNamara
    Pat McNamara
    • Quinn
    Henry Tomaszewski
    • Roach
    Ramon Estevez
    Ramon Estevez
    • Pick
    Rossie Harris
    Rossie Harris
    • Rusty
    J.P. Bumstead
    • Doctor
    • Director
      • Robert Greenwald
    • Writer
      • Jennifer Miller
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Emilio Estevez (Danny) and Martin Sheen (Frank) are father and son in real life; Ramon Estevez is another son of Martin Sheen.
    • Quotes

      Danny Caldwell: [after the stolen radio incident] Yeah, yeah.

      Frank Caldwell: Don't you "Yeah, yeah" me!

    User reviews10

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Powerhouse performances
    This tale of a juvenile's nightmare voyage through delinquency and the harsh penal system is a well acted and at times moving story.

    Emilio Estevez as the angry young man Danny is excellent, in an early role which showed his promise and acting ability. He is indeed his father's son. His story is set against a backdrop of hopelessness and unemployment and his father's emasculation as the wage earner and hunter gatherer. Martin Sheen's character, Frank, is seeking employment having been laid off as foreman in the factory he's spent his adult career in. His frustration at having to almost beg for work, and fear of welfare, whilst his wife earns a wage and keeps the house is palpable and contributes to the rocky relationship with his volatile son. In these early scenes we see Danny cares for his family greatly, that he respects his father but feels embarassed for him.

    When Danny drunkenly wrecks a car his Frank lets him stew in the cells for a night to teach him a lesson. After he beats a dirty old lech in self defense he is remanded in the youth cells and is tragically sucked into the system, a system which fails him. His character's brutalisation and growing desperation are well conveyed by Emilio and are thrown into contrast later on when we see his father's and the family's fortunes improving with Frank getting a good new job out of state.

    When Danny is finally released we see a different young man. The closing scenes are poignant as Danny silently, hauntingly, watches his father (offscreen) laugh and play with his younger children. We suspect young Danny longs for those innocent days of youth and unquestioning love. Carefree days. Simple days. Happy days.
    helpful•6
    5
    • antonius-2
    • Feb 18, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 26, 1982 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Forty Days for Danny
    • Production company
      • Filmways Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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