Pack of Lies

I was lucky to see this when it was first aired and fortunately at the time, I was addicted to videotaping on VHS dramas worth saving. I saved this and watched that VHS until it finally broke. Now, I am fortunate to be able to watch it for free on Amazon Prime and it holds up wonderfully.

Beautifully directed, sensitively written and magnificent performances add to an overwelming story of government interference, betrayal and emotional upheaval among a group of middle class English folk and their neighbors from overseas.

It is obvious from the delicately nuanced dialogue that this was originally a period piece of a play. It is also obvious that the entirety of the structure is a metaphor of government versus individual, that the concerns of the individual are subjugated to the interests of the state. However, the human scale and drama are drawn powerfully to a climax that is shattering.

Ellen Burstyn gives the performance of her life as the central character torn between reality and lies. And Teri Garr has never been more aptly cast as her best friend, the effervescent neighbor. The supporting cast is rock solid as is this introductory performance by Sammi Davis.

I have watched this at least 20 times in my life and it is an amazing show of subtlety, metaphor and acting. One of the greatest dramas for the tube ever produced.

Interesting well made drama with brilliant performances from Alan Bates and Ellen Burstyn and a very good one from Terri Garr. Well worth watching James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 3/28/2021.

A fact-based drama adapted from an acclaimed stage play, this Halmark Hall of Fame production is one of the finest films ever made for television; in fact I can't think of one that's better. Pack of Lies is good enough to have been a a theatrical release. A fascinating true story with disquieting moral and social issues is still relevant and makes for compelling viewing. POL has been given a first-class production with excellent acting and directing, and even if her British accent wavers, Ellen Burstyn gives a powerful performance, and a surprisingly cast Teri Garr has never been better. Unfortunately, POL is unknown and rarely shown though it deserves to be, and after 25 years its subject is as timely as ever.

The perspective from rating this film is based on the knowledge that it is largely a true story. Initially, the close friends were generally happy and contented in their suburban neighborhood. This tranquility was destroyed by the government surveillance program using neighbor against neighbor. This program that was forced on a law-abiding family probably wouldn't be allowed in many countries at present. Legal protections would probably be available to protect innocent citizens. Alternative methods should have been employed. But it has to be viewed quite differently 60 years ago near the height of the Cold War. Intrusion issue aside; the story was suspenseful and the acting, especially from Burstyn and Garr, was excellent. That said, it difficult to watch the build up to the emotional collapse. The irony of betrayal left a very bitter taste in one's mouth.

This is an excellent film because of great acting skills by all of the actors and especially Ellen Burstyn,(Barbara Jackson),"Down in the Valley",'05 and Teri Garr,(Helen Schaefer),"The Sky Is Falling",'2000. The story takes place in London, England at the home of Barbara Jackson, who lives across the street from her good friend, Helen Schaefer. Helen plays an attractive blonde gal who is full of pep and very outgoing in her personality and tries to liven up her good friend Barbara, by getting her to purchase a sexy nightie for her self and husband and befriends her daughter. One day a complete stranger comes to the home of the Jackson's and disrupts their entire household and causes problems you will never believe could actually happen and I am sure it did in real life situations. I knew that this film was well produced and directed and the acting was outstanding, simply because it made me so Mad at people who would actually let this happen to their family and life without telling them WHERE TO GET OFF ! Enjoy