Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Farrah Fawcett | ... | Francine Hughes | |
Paul Le Mat | ... | Mickey Hughes (as Paul LeMat) | |
Richard Masur | ... | Aryon Greydanus | |
Grace Zabriskie | ... | Flossie Hughes | |
Penelope Milford | ... | Gaby | |
Christa Denton | ... | Christy age 12 | |
James T. Callahan | ... | Berlin Hughes (as James Callahan) | |
Gary Grubbs | ... | District Attorney | |
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David Friedman | ... | Jimmy age 10 |
David Andrews | ... | Wimpy Hughes | |
James Hampton | ... | Police Witness | |
Virgil Frye | ... | Virg | |
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Dixie K. Wade | ... | Hazel Moran |
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Heather Rich | ... | Christy age 6 |
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Justin Gocke | ... | Jimmy Age 4 |
After years of beatings and terror, Francine Hughes set fire to her abuser's bed while he slept. Her confession and subsequent murder trial held the nation enthralled. A dramatic story of a woman pushed over the edge. Written by Fairchild
I have seen this film dozens of times and consider it a remarkable powerful film. Farrah Fawcett is so easy to look at for hours on end, especially in these 70's housewife clothes. She is at her peak in this film and others of a similar nature, Small Sacrifices and Extremities. This is the best of the three, however. I am stunned each time I watch it at the truth of the story. There really are women and children who must endure this kind of brutality and abuse. Farrah is so good at showing Francine's slowly crumbling self-esteem and sanity. The other performances are top- notch. In particular, Grace Zabriskie seems to me as authentic as possible as a fiercely stubborn, family-centered overbearing mother in denial. The scene where the wife-beater's parents throw their bodies between those of their son and the arresting officers while moments earlier allowing the same son to attempt to kill his wife is mind-boggling. Well done. It makes me want to read the book now that I realize there is one!