A Killer in the Family

Director: Richard T. Heffron Richard T. Heffron

Overview

In this thriller, based on a true story, a psycho killer cons his three adolescent sons into helping him and his equally crazed pal from the joint. They do so and then find themselves in a killing spree.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/12/2010
UPC:	0883316227275
Original Release:	1983
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:35:00
Sales rank:	34,026

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Mitchum	Gary Tison
Stuart Margolin	Randy Greenawalt
James Spader	Donald 'Donny' Tison
Lance Kerwin	Ray Tison
Eric Stoltz	Ricky
Salome Jens	Alice
Lynn Carlin	Dorothy
Arliss Howard	John
Susan Swift	Teresa
Catherine Stewart	Actor
Gerald Fried	Composer

Technical Credits

Sue Grafton

Richard T. Heffron	Director
Sue Grafton	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This made-for-t.v. effort is an effective little crime tale. The script was inspired by a real incident and does a solid job of conveying how familial bonds can blur the line between right and wrong as it delivers a solid variation of the "crooks on the lam" archetype. Robert Mitchum does strong work as the manipulative and sociopathic leader, playing his sons off against each other as his criminal instincts lead them further and further into danger. James Spader, Eric Stoltz and Lance Kerwin all do effective work as the sons, with Kerwin delivering a particularly affecting performance as the youngest and most naive of the clan. However, the biggest scene-stealer is Stuart Margolin, who is alternately creepy and witty as Mitchum's eccentric partner-in-crime. It's also worth noting that Arliss Howard turns in a memorable performance in a bit role as one of the group's victims. Richard T. Heffron's direction avoids flashiness and concentrates on old-fashioned craftsmanship, resulting in a taut narrative spiced up by some effective setpieces: the jail-break is a nicely tense sequence, as is the story's grim finale. The one real defect of the film is the overwrought musical score by Gerald Fried, which sits at odds with the otherwise low-key approach of the film. However, A Killer In The Family is a compelling piece of work despite that misstep and worth a look to crime-movie buffs.

All Movie Guide