Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #393 in VHS
• Released on: 1993-06-07
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 186 minutes

Synopsis
In 1983 Diane Downs and her three children are shot down. One of the children dies, one is paralysed and the other is too shocked to talk. Circumstantial evidence leads Frank Joziak, the investigating officer, to believe that Diane committed the horrendous crimes. She is brought to trial for the attempted murder of all her children. Based on a true story.

Customer Reviews

An Accurate Portrayal of a Heartbreaking Tragedy
I worked on this trial as a member of the judicial staff in Oregon, so have personal experience of Diane Downs, the witnesses, prosecutor and defense counsel. Like everyone else, I was very dubious when I heard that a film was scheduled for production. I was very surprised that when the film was released, it was a very accurate reflection of what I witnessed in the six-week trial. In fact, the film of the trial was less dramatic than the trial itself, especially when daughter Christie testified, which remains the most dramatic moment I have ever witnessed. Farrah Fawcett did a superb job, although to this day I don't know why she adopted a southern accent, when Diane doesn't speak this way. If you have read Ann Rule's book of the same name, you won't be disappointed.

small sacrifices
every time I watch this, I cry. especially at the start when Diane drives to the hospital? I can,t help it, it really chokes me up. it,s an excellent film, and it,ll make you cry. works for me every time, remember, it IS based on real life events. watch it and think what happened to those kids, and their ages, and then see if you don,t cry. thats why I,m selling it, I can,t bear to watch it any more.

Real Life Epic
Farrah Fawcett looks great as Diane the alleged murderess in this all star real life crime pic. This, however when the glitz is taken away is a Hollywood whitewash on what could now have turned out to be a miscarriage of justice. Possibly the American answer to the Dingo baby case (also a Film Epic) the film sets out to show the main charactor in a bad light, obsessed with Lou, Ironically played by Ryan O'Neil, the prosecution claim that the children were murdered because Lou didn't want kids. Farrah Fawcett does a grand job, and looks sensational in that final costume, but time (and appeals) will tell whether the facts are straight. Still its good drama, but is it real life?