Right to Kill?

Ex-Army man with a wife and two teenagers constantly relocates his family from town to town, eventually landing in Wyoming in 1981; there, his kids finally snap after suffering years of his mental, verbal and physical abuse. Once 1984's "The Burning Bed" was telecast to huge ratings, the hot topic for TV movies-of-the-week became abuse (spousal, familial or otherwise)--and if the story could be based upon a true incident, so much the better. This dramatization of events which happened to the real-life Jahnke family is well-acted by a solid cast, firmly directed by TV veteran John Erman, yet it has a faint whiff of exploitation (evident from the film's title). The bullying, some might say psychotic father (played with a convincing angry swagger by Frederic Forrest) has a hair-trigger temper, hates outsiders and has guns all over the house; he belittles his boy, beats up on his wife and has turned his daughter into a mass of insecurities. Viewers are asked to decide if the kids had the right to take his life. Dark subject matter with hard-hitting scenes could be a discussion-starter about such legal issues, although the final coda clearly implies there are no winners here. **1/2 from ****

I was a senior in high school when this movie came on tv. I really enjoyed it and it showed Justine Bateman in rare form (totally different from her role in Family Ties). It sort of reminded me of the days when my parents were really strict(about going to prom, dances, parties,etc), but this movie takes the cake. Dysfunction at its worse. I highly recommend this movie if you can find it.

This movie made such an impression on me that I bought the book. Actually, I've bought it a few rimes because I basically re-read them to pieces.

I also appreciate the movie so much for so many reasons that I've got it on DVD.

Frederic Forrest was so convincing as a bad man that him being Blue Duck in Lonesome Dove was chilling.

Also loved Chris Collette's Richard.

All three of them deserved so much better. I hope they've had that... so much better.

From what can be found online both Richard and Deborah changed their names, moved from OK, have both been married twice and both have children.

Maria remarried and is still on Cowpoke Rd.

This film was not what I usually watch. I am into Sci-Fi and Horror mainly so when I started watching this one night I didn't expect to stay with it until the end. I'm glad I did. I now have it on video.

The story is based on true events involving a violent Husband and Father who inflicts physical and mental abuse on his wife and children for what he sees as their weaknesses and failings. The family move around the country quite often and each time they hope it will be a new beginning. Because of the regular moves nobody outside the family ever notices that anything is wrong. So after this last move, to the middle of nowhere and when the violence gets more serious what should they do?

The acting from all the main characters is excellent, the film relies upon the performance of these actor's portrayal of the abuse and how it effects them. You will not see many more compelling films than this one and unless you like only Sci-Fi and Horror to the total exclusion of everything else then you will enjoy this film.

Frederic Forrest does a fine job as the emotionally and physically abusive father in this early entry in the "dysfunctional family" genre. Here's a toast to all the actors who have to do the dirty job of making child abusers, rapists, and wife-beaters come alive on screen; it must be harrowing, thankless work.

The writer and director should get credit too, for giving Forrest the lines and settings for his truly creepy performance. All the actors did well -- Justine Bateman was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Deborah Jahnke -- but Forrest should get special kudos. (Don't you wonder if anyone would eat lunch with him on the set? or if they shunned him for the duration?)

The film's mission of revealing the gaps in our domestic violence policies works as well as a drama as a political statement. A teacher is slow to believe; a social worker questions the kids and mother about abuse in front of the abuser; the rural home has no near neighbors and the rural community presumably has limited shelter resources.

Gossip in town that acquitting the Wyoming teen will be a "license to kill" for other abused kids not only reflects this case (the writers relied on interviews, transcripts, and news reports), but echoes what was said about one of the first battered wives to go on trial for killing an abuser in Michigan, years before.

Watch it if you've got a strong stomach or a strong interest in domestic violence. Otherwise, it's too much of a downer to qualify as "entertainment," despite the excellent performances and powerful script.