Fatal Vision is a 1984 American true crime drama television miniseries directed by David Greene from a teleplay by John Gay, based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Joe McGinniss. The miniseries stars Karl Malden, Eva Marie Saint, Barry Newman, Gary Cole, and Andy Griffith. It recounts the celebrated case of Jeffrey R. MacDonald, the former Green Beret physician who was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife and their two small children.[1]
| Fatal Vision | |
|---|---|
 VHS cover | |
| Based on | Fatal Vision by Joe McGinniss |
| Screenplay by | John Gay |
| Directed by | David Greene |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Gil Mellé |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Richard L. O'Connor |
| Cinematography | Stevan Larner |
| Editors |
|
| Running time | 181 minutes |
| Production company | NBC Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | November 18 – November 19, 1984 |
The miniseries received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special, with Malden winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special for his performance as MacDonald's father-in-law, Freddy Kassab.[2]
Cast
edit- Starring
- Karl Malden as Freddy Kassab
- Eva Marie Saint as Mildred Kassab
- Barry Newman as Bernie Segal
- Gary Cole as Jeffrey R. MacDonald
- Special guest star
- Andy Griffith as Victor Worheide
- Also starring
- Gary Grubbs as James Blackburn
- Joel Polis as Brian Murtagh
- Mitchell Ryan as Paul Strombaugh
- Wendy Schaal as Colette MacDonald
- Scott Paulin as William Ivory
- Barry Corbin as Franz Grebner
- Albert Salmi as Judge Dupree
- Co-starring
- Alexandra Johnson as Helena Stoeckley
- Paddi Edwards as Perry MacDonald
- Frank Dent as Joe McGinniss
- Carmen Argenziano as Col. Pruett
- Andy Wood as Robert Shaw
- Dennis Redfield as Peter Kearns
- Joe Mays as William Posey
- Rex Ryon as Jay MacDonald
- J.P. Bumstead as Col. Rock
- Brandy Gold as Kimberly MacDonald (age 5)
- Judith Barsi as Kimberly MacDonald (age 3)
- Dylan Galer as Kristen MacDonald
- Lance Rosen as Dennis Eisman
- Patricia Duff as Joy
- Nadine van der Velde as Randi
- Laurence Haddon as Gen. Flanagan
- Jack Rader as Provost Marshal
- Kenneth Tigar as Pathologist
- Roy London as Dr. Thornton
- Eugene Butler as Capt. Somers
- Anne Betancourt as St. Mary's Sister
Production
editNBC paid $130,000 for the rights to the book, according to McGinniss, a transaction that was complicated by a prior contractual claim by Dell publishers.[3] The miniseries was filmed in Santa Clarita and Pasadena, California, as well as at NBC Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
Reception
editCritical response
editJohn J. O'Connor of The New York Times called the story "chilling" and the miniseries "certainly compelling", but stated it was not "as overwhelming as Mr. McGinniss's book." O'Connor also praised the cast, writing that Cole, Malden, and Saint "contribute outstanding performances."[4] Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times lauded Fatal Vision for its "superb, meticulous storytelling that will have you on the edge of your seat, with Greene managing to convey the brutality of the crime in a surreal way without showing actual violence." Rosenberg also named it "the highest-rated miniseries of the 1984-85 season."[5]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 35th ACE Eddie Awards | Best Edited Episode for a Television Mini-Series | "Part II" Parkie L. Singh, William B. Stich |
Won |
| 39th Edgar Awards | Best Television Feature or Miniseries | John Gay | Nominated | |
| 1st TCA Awards | Program of the Year | Fatal Vision | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Drama | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Achievement in Specials | Nominated | |||
| 37th Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special | Mike Rosenfeld, Dan Wigutow, Richard L. O'Connor | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special | Karl Malden | Won | ||
| Outstanding Directing in a Limited Series or a Special | David Greene | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or a Special | John Gay | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Achievement in Makeup | Stephen Abrums | Nominated | ||
| 1st Artios Awards | Mini-Series or Movie of the Week Casting | Karen Hendel | Won |
References
edit- ^ "'FATAL VISION,' ON NBC, TOP PROGRAM OF WEEK". The New York Times. November 21, 1984. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ "Fatal Vision - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins". Television Academy. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Hill, Michael E. (November 18, 1984). "FATAL VISION/ Did He Do It?". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ O'Connor, John J. (November 16, 1984). "TV WEEKEND; 'FATAL VISION,' STORY OF FORMER GREEN BERET". The New York Times. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Rosenberg, Howard (January 12, 1986). ""FATAL VISION," 9-11 p.m. Sunday and Monday..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2023.