Fugitive Family

At first glance, this might seem to be a companion movie to Tom Sizemore's "Witness Protection," but the emphasis is really more on the family and their reaction to having to go into the witness protection program. I'm sure most of us have thought at one time or another how wrenching it would be to have to leave your entire life, family, and friends and never see them again, and this movie captures that despair pretty well. Each member of the family is shown adjusting, with only the little boy eager about the move. Richard Crenna is always so wonderful playing father figures; his performance rings true as always. Diane Baker has long been underappreciated, I think, and here she has all the concerns of a homemaker being uprooted. This movie is well above average for a made-for-TV movie, including many foreign scenes that look authentic. I would definitely recommend it if you can find a copy, especially if you are as fond of Richard Crenna as I am.

I have only seen this movie one time but still remember it very well. I like all three of the adult leads and none of them have ever disappointed me. I have always enjoyed the performances of Don Murray. This one stands out because because of his overall good guy typecasting has probably kept him from playing many villains. Many actors say it is more fun to play villains when the part is right. Don Murray plays the mob hit man after Richard Crenna and family because Richard Crenna was undercover for the FBI until his cover was blown and he and his family had to go into witness protection. If I remember correctly, all went well until their daughter decided to contact her boyfriend and the mob picked up their trail.

Returning to where I started from; Don Murray stands out as the hit man. I get the impression he was trying to overcome his being typecast as a good guy in this and the part he had in Planet of he Apes. Another of his movies, in which he was tied to the mob but I cannot locate it is Borgia Stick. These movies show that when Mr. Murray got the chance to be a villain, he could knock it out of the park.

I see he has come out of retirement to be in Twin Peaks and I hope it goes well for him. Since he is about 88, I wish him many more years of good health and hope he is enjoying retirement and hope to see him again on occasion.

While this was a story about the witness protection program, it at least centers on the family, their reactions to moving to Northern California wine country, and how they adjust. Not the usual crime and violence drama, which is a good thing.

Eli Wallach and Richard Crenna (who is always excellent) are interesting in this story, and there are some beautiful scenes of wine country which are rarely filmed (Except in the recent film "Sideways").

Overall, the performances are very good, Diane Baker is also believable, and this is a good little suspense film, if you can find it on VHS or DVD. Recommended.