The Burning Bed (1984)

An abused battered wife has had enough of husband beating up on her. Everywhere she turns for help, there's not much anyone will do. After he rapes her one night, she sets the bed on fire with him in it asleep.

Director:

Robert Greenwald

Writers:

Rose Leiman Goldemberg (teleplay), Faith McNulty (book)

Stars:

Farrah Fawcett, Paul Le Mat, Richard Masur

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

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
David Friedman	...	Jimmy age 10
David Andrews	...	Wimpy Hughes
James Hampton	...	Police Witness
Virgil Frye	...	Virg
Dixie K. Wade	...	Hazel Moran
Heather Rich	...	Christy age 6
Justin Gocke	...	Jimmy Age 4

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

fire | court | lawyer | jury | verdict | 

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Taglines:

Based on the true story that shocked the nation.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das brennende Bett

Filming Locations:

Lansing, Michigan, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tisch/Avnet Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

While Francine was in jail awaiting trial, Mickey's brothers sent her a letter which read "You are next."

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Goofs

The real Francine Hughes had four children, not three as depicted in the movie.

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Quotes

Hazel Moran: If you make a hard bed, you have to lay in it.

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Connections

Referenced in Private Practice: Georgia on My Mind (2012)

User Reviews

Excellent performance by Fawcett...serious message

It is refreshing to watch an actress finally get the dramatic role she deserves, instead of just playing eye candy in banal films that are forgettable.

There is a true story here, and Paul LeMat portrays the abusive and manipulative husband. This film does not sugar-coat domestic violence, and the verbal, psychological and physical damage done to this woman is unconscionable.

The audience is also made aware of the in-laws, and their denial (well-portrayed by Grace Zabriskie, as Fawcett's mother-in-law.) The children as victims of this unstable environment are affecting and tragic.

Overall an excellent film one may want to view with a friend caught up in such a horrible situation. NO woman should ever tolerate this treatment from ANY man. Domestic violence is still an issue in our "civilized" society, unfortunately, and needs to be recognized. 8/10.