The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer (1999)

An account of early 1970s social activist Ira Einhorn, who murdered his girlfriend and then fled the country.

Director:

William A. Graham

Writers:

Steven Levy (book), Bruce Graham (teleplay)

Stars:

Kevin Anderson, Tom Skerritt, Naomi Watts

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Anderson	...	Ira Einhorn
Tom Skerritt	...	Fred Maddux
Naomi Watts	...	Holly Maddux
Kellie Overbey	...	Meg Maddux
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Det. Newhouse (as Ruben Santiago Hudson)
Brian Kerwin	...	Saul Lapidus
Josef Sommer	...	Corporate Man
William G. Schilling	...	Robert Stevens
Albert Schultz	...	Lucas Rothman
Mimi Kuzyk	...	Barbra Bronfman
Gregory Itzin	...	Arlen Specter
Rosemary Murphy	...	Bea Einhorn
Bill MacDonald	...	Police Lieutenant
Martin Donovan	...	Richard DiBenedetto
Wanda Cannon	...	Liz Maddux

Storyline

Fact-based story about Ira Einhorn, a 70's peace-nik who is generally credited as one of the founders of Earth Day. In the late 60's and early 70's, Ira lived with Holly Maddux. But when she tries to leave him in 1977, she suddenly disappears. Later her body is discovered in a trunk in Einhorn's apartment. Let out on bail, Einhorn flees from the country and manages to elude authorities for years. Meanwhile he is convicted in absentia and sentenced to prison. Holly's father is determined to see his daughter's murderer brought to justice and has him tracked and is eventually caught in France in 1997. Martin Donovan appears as the assistant D.A. who put the case together. Today, Einhorn is now appealing his conviction.

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Plot Keywords:

abusive boyfriend | evil man | body in a chest | extradition | based on fact | 

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asasinul-unicorn

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dan Wigutow Productions, Regency Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

170 min (4 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Married couple Lucas and Sandra Rothman was played by real-life acting couple Susan Coyne and Albert Schultz. They have since divorced.

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Soundtracks

Amazing Grace
(uncredited)
Written by John Newton
Performed by Kevin Anderson

User Reviews

Thought provoking drama

I have read several books and viewed many documentaries(even an episode of "America's Most Wanted") concerning this case and still come away with the feeling that there is more to the story than is being told. Ira Einhorn was a hippie guru in Philadelphia during the 60s and 70s, and was heavily involved in thought control, paranormal, and computer information programs. He always claimed that the CIA and other government agencies were monitoring his activities, and some of this is brought out in this movie. However, for the most part this is the story from the slain woman's family point of view. I also found it very interesting that the lawyer that got Einhorn out on bail(for murder for Pete's sake!)was none other than Arlen Spector, author of the JFK "magic bullet theory" and involved in many congressional intelligence oversight activities. Watching this movie, or following the case, one can see some of the Danny Casolaro incident present. This movie is presented fairly well, and the acting is superb, but watch it and read between the lines!