Most three hour movies, other than classics like "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", tend to be so padded that they become tedious. I recommend "Cross of Fire'" as one of those rarities that maintains interest for the entire 185 minutes. John Heard gives a performance second only to his fantastic character "Alexander Cutter" in "Cutter's Way". This film is easily divided into two parts, the first with megalomaniac Heard rising to power within the Klu Klux Klan. The second, his trial for the rape and murder of an Indianopolis school teacher. The trial ultimately not only decides the fate of Heard, but of the Klan itself. - MERK
