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Nightmare in Columbia County

  • TV Movie
  • 1991
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
429
YOUR RATING
William Devane and Jeri Ryan in Nightmare in Columbia County (1991)
CrimeDramaThriller

The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980's.The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980's.The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980's.

  • Director
    • Roger Young
  • Writer
    • John Bensink
  • Stars
    • William Devane
    • Jeri Ryan
    • Michele Abrams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    429
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roger Young
    • Writer
      • John Bensink
    • Stars
      • William Devane
      • Jeri Ryan
      • Michele Abrams
    • 19User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast36

    Edit
    William Devane
    William Devane
    • Sheriff Jim Metts
    Jeri Ryan
    Jeri Ryan
    • Dawn Elizabeth Smith
    • (as Jeri Lynn Ryan)
    Michele Abrams
    Michele Abrams
    • Shari Smith
    Nick Searcy
    Nick Searcy
    • Asst. Sheriff McCarty
    Linda Pierce
    • Hilda Smith
    J. Don Ferguson
    J. Don Ferguson
    • Bob Smith
    James Slade
    James Slade
    • Larry Gene Bell
    • (as Butch Slade)
    Joyce Leigh Bowden
    • Carol Metts
    • (as Joyce Bowden)
    Stephen Preusse
    • SLED Officer
    Joe Maggard
    • Scanlon
    Michael Flippo
    • Command Post Deputy
    Chuck Kinlaw
    • Principal
    Mark Jeffrey Miller
    Mark Jeffrey Miller
    • Man at Depot
    • (as Mark Miller)
    Alan Sader
    • Prosecutor
    Don Tilley
    • Man at Door
    John Bennes
    • Mr. Thornwell
    Stephen Ware
    Stephen Ware
    • Man at Pageant
    Rick Marshall
    • Man at Elevator
    • Director
      • Roger Young
    • Writer
      • John Bensink
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    5.7429
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    Featured reviews

    8videorama-759-859391

    Obseessive viewing

    Horrifiic story, of indeed one psychopath, better put six feet under. Solid acting from Devane, obsessed like Doherty was with him, in that tv film. Here, he's a town cop, who heads up this investigation, to retrieve the kidnapped daughter of a South Carolina family, her older sister, a promising beauty pageant queen, and she is beautiful, the focus of this nutter's murderous obsession. A full scale search begins, to track down, the vulnerable diabetic teen. This sick SOB starts calling, taunting the family, builds up a conversational repore with the sister, who she and authorities try to bait this guy, but unfortunately he's very ahead of the game. The actor who does a marvellous job here, looks pretty much like the real Larry Gene Bell. His testimony in court, smally covered, this one lovestruck comment, was quite offputting. Indeed this true life t.v movie, is truly tragic, too, invoving child murder, this is a highly engrossing drama, and a sisterly repecting ending, as is footage of the real Dawn. Pretty much, this film will stay with you, days after. Solid, well made, wonferfully acted tv drama, with one great raging Devane moment. Watch.
    MightyAphrodite

    memories :)...

    I saw this movie several times as a kid, and it came to my mind a few days ago. I came to web and found it :D... It's a great movie, really exciting and good. I truly recommend it.

    The actors do a great job and the directing is excellent. If this is based on a true story then it's really creepy....
    Nancy-40

    Good

    This was a very good movie, sad, and mystery! this girl's sister is kidnapped and the kidnapper keeps calling her and becomes obsessed with her the police can't find him and he continues to taunt her over the phone, its a very good movie, you should watch it!
    Phantasm

    Who would have thought?

    WoW!! My drama teacher is Larry Gene Bell!! (Butch Slade) Well, Mr. Slade let us view this movie in drama, and I must say, he did a very good job, along with the rest of the crew. I especially like the scene in the court where he jumped out at the crowd. That was pretty cool. I recommend this movie because of its ability to touch something inside of you. If you ever get a chance, see it!!!!
    10anncie73

    I was 12yrs old and lived in Columbia, SC when this happened

    I lived in Columbia SC when Sheri Faye Smith and Debra Helmick were killed by Larry Gene Bell in 1985, I was 12..I was staying at my grandparents cabin for the summer on Lake Murray when Sheri Smiths body was found behind an old schoolhouse about 2 miles down the road. The flies were so thick that day, and than we heard sirens, my mom made the comment "I hope they didn't find that poor girls body" which of course they had. This movie follows the truth so closely its almost like its happening again. Excellent movie and I recommend it. Larry Gene Bell killed not only Shari but other girls including 11yr old Debra Mae Helmick who lived about 2 miles from were we lived in Columbia before we went to Lake Murray for the summer. I have 3 sisters, Sherri, Debbi and Jean, 2 of which shared the murdered girls names, you can imagine how my parents felt when all this happened. My sister Sherri was 14 at the time and my sister Debbi was 10, both were close in age to the murdered girls also. Larry Gene Bell was put to death Oct 4, 1996 I believe, his crimes will never be forgotten and neither will his victims.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Larry Gene Bell was executed in 1996. He was the last inmate to die in South Carolina's electric chair.
    • Connections
      Version of I, Witness: The Smith Sisters (2017)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 10, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Victim of Beauty
    • Filming locations
      • Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
    • Production company
      • Landsburg Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    William Devane and Jeri Ryan in Nightmare in Columbia County (1991)
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