Benefit of the Doubt (1993)

A convicted wife murderer returns 22 year later to seek revenge on the daughter who help convict him.

Director:

Jonathan Heap

Writers:

Michael Lieber (story), Jeffrey Polman (screenplay)

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, Amy Irving, Rider Strong

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Frank
Amy Irving	...	Karen
Rider Strong	...	Pete
Christopher McDonald	...	Dan
Graham Greene	...	Calhoun
Theodore Bikel	...	Gideon Lee
Gisela Kovach	...	Susanna
Ferdy Mayne	...	Mueller
Julie Hasel	...	Young Karen
Patricia Tallman	...	Karen's Mom
Ralph McTurk	...	Trooper
Shane McCabe	...	Wayland
Margaret Johnson	...	Waitress
Heinrich James	...	Marina Guard
Jean Fowler	...	Examiner

Storyline

Twenty two years earlier, Karen helped convict her father, Frank, for the murder of her mother. With his new freedom, thanks to parole, Frank returns home to seek revenge. Having always pleaded his innocence, Frank soon works his way back into Karen's life.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | murder | boat chase | lake powell | repressed memory | 

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Taglines:

A terrifying story of fatherly love.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Quotes

Frank: [Smugly as his grandson holds a gun on him] You won't do it

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Coneheads/Benefit of the Doubt/Poetic Justice/Another Stakeout/Hocus Pocus (1993)

User Reviews

Another "Creepy Grandpa" performance by Donald Sutherland ....

"Benefit of the Doubt" features another "Creepy Grandpa" performance by Donald Sutherland, not unlike his character in "Panic". Sutherland is very good in both films, and is surrounded by excellent supporting actors, William H. Macy in "Panic", and Amy Irving and Graham Greene in "Benefit of the Doubt". Another plus is the beautiful desert setting, with magnificent red rock formations. Although the story is rather straightforward, the entertainment value is high. Grandfather is released from prison, and seeks relationship with estranged Daughter who helped convict him. Theodore Bikel's performance, as the district attorney is noteworthy also. Recommended. - MERK

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Benefit of the Doubt

Filming Locations:

Camp Verde, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$151,860

Company Credits

Production Co:

Benefit Productions, Cinevox Filmproduktion GmbH, Monument Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1