Right to Kill? (1985 TV Movie) User Reviews

Depressingly accurate child-abuse potboiler

[Ankhoryt · 8/10 · 27 September 1999]

Frederic Forrest does a fine job as the emotionally and physically abusive father in this early entry in the "dysfunctional family" genre. Here's a toast to all the actors who have to do the dirty job of making child abusers, rapists, and wife-beaters come alive on screen; it must be harrowing, thankless work.

The writer and director should get credit too, for giving Forrest the lines and settings for his truly creepy performance. All the actors did well -- Justine Bateman was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Deborah Jahnke -- but Forrest should get special kudos. (Don't you wonder if anyone would eat lunch with him on the set? or if they shunned him for the duration?)

The film's mission of revealing the gaps in our domestic violence policies works as well as a drama as a political statement. A teacher is slow to believe; a social worker questions the kids and mother about abuse in front of the abuser; the rural home has no near neighbors and the rural community presumably has limited shelter resources.

Gossip in town that acquitting the Wyoming teen will be a "license to kill" for other abused kids not only reflects this case (the writers relied on interviews, transcripts, and news reports), but echoes what was said about one of the first battered wives to go on trial for killing an abuser in Michigan, years before.

Watch it if you've got a strong stomach or a strong interest in domestic violence. Otherwise, it's too much of a downer to qualify as "entertainment," despite the excellent performances and powerful script.

Truly thought provoking movie.

[steve-862 · 7/10 · 1 April 2002]

This film was not what I usually watch. I am into Sci-Fi and Horror mainly so when I started watching this one night I didn't expect to stay with it until the end. I'm glad I did. I now have it on video.

The story is based on true events involving a violent Husband and Father who inflicts physical and mental abuse on his wife and children for what he sees as their weaknesses and failings. The family move around the country quite often and each time they hope it will be a new beginning. Because of the regular moves nobody outside the family ever notices that anything is wrong. So after this last move, to the middle of nowhere and when the violence gets more serious what should they do?

The acting from all the main characters is excellent, the film relies upon the performance of these actor's portrayal of the abuse and how it effects them. You will not see many more compelling films than this one and unless you like only Sci-Fi and Horror to the total exclusion of everything else then you will enjoy this film.

"The only one we need protecting from is him."

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 22 August 2017]

Ex-Army man with a wife and two teenagers constantly relocates his family from town to town, eventually landing in Wyoming in 1981; there, his kids finally snap after suffering years of his mental, verbal and physical abuse. Once 1984's "The Burning Bed" was telecast to huge ratings, the hot topic for TV movies-of-the-week became abuse (spousal, familial or otherwise)--and if the story could be based upon a true incident, so much the better. This dramatization of events which happened to the real-life Jahnke family is well-acted by a solid cast, firmly directed by TV veteran John Erman, yet it has a faint whiff of exploitation (evident from the film's title). The bullying, some might say psychotic father (played with a convincing angry swagger by Frederic Forrest) has a hair-trigger temper, hates outsiders and has guns all over the house; he belittles his boy, beats up on his wife and has turned his daughter into a mass of insecurities. Viewers are asked to decide if the kids had the right to take his life. Dark subject matter with hard-hitting scenes could be a discussion-starter about such legal issues, although the final coda clears implies there are no winners here.

A typical 80's movie about a dysfunctional family

[sbrnnxn · 7 May 2002]

I was a senior in high school when this movie came on tv. I really enjoyed it and it showed Justine Bateman in rare form (totally different from her role in Family Ties). It sort of reminded me of the days when my parents were really strict(about going to prom, dances, parties,etc), but this movie takes the cake. Dysfunction at its worse. I highly recommend this movie if you can find it.

Where are they now??

[judybug-1 · 7/10 · 23 August 2006]

I seen this movie when it first aired years ago and I have always wondered about Richard and Deborah and how they are doing and where they are now. When I first saw this movie my heart went out to them both....I ,if I were a juror then,could not have sent them to jail. Does anyone know how they are doing? I have searched the internet and cannot as of yet find any information.I have never forgotten these poor kids. If anyone has any info,I would greatly appreciate it. I know that they are in their early 40's at present and I hope they are free and having a good productive life after growing up in such an abusive household. Thanks so much!

Stays with you

[sandradanderson · 10/10 · 26 October 2021]

I first saw this movie on TV as a kid. I never forgot it. I always in the back of my mind, whenever I would see Justine Bateman, would flash back to her picking up trash on the driveway, that moment her brother in the movie realized he had to do something.

This is perhaps one of the most important, if not the most important legal case of the 80's, and I was devastated by the verdict. Thankfully justice did prevail, but to know that a jury would deliver such an unfair and callous verdict to begin with, said everything about child abuse in our country at the time. I hope that the real teenagers from this story understand how much they helped the children who followed even if it still has a long way to go.

The acting in this movie is serious and the actors all deserve major props for how well they handled the material.

I recently went and watched this movie again and it still had a profound effect upon me. For anyone who wants to understand child abuse and parenticide, this is THE MOVIE. Be warned it is not appropriate for children which is ironic since I was a child when I saw it. But the subject matter is very disturbing. I really hope the teenagers from this story were able to live a good happy life, because they certainly deserved it.

A small update

[gutrumblesblog · 10/10 · 25 September 2022]

This movie made such an impression on me that I bought the book. Actually, I've bought it a few rimes because I basically re-read them to pieces.

I also appreciate the movie so much for so many reasons that I've got it on DVD.

Frederic Forrest was so convincing as a bad man that him being Blue Duck in Lonesome Dove was chilling.

Also loved Chris Collette's Richard.

All three of them deserved so much better. I hope they've had that... so much better.

From what can be found online both Richard and Deborah changed their names, moved from OK, have both been married twice and both have children.

Maria remarried and is still on Cowpoke Rd.