In Broad Daylight

I want to chime in on this film because it really scared the H-E-Double Bamboo Sticks out of me, motivated me to read the Playboy article about the incident, and then the well-researched book by the same name.

Brian Dennehy is perfectly cast as the villain -- although the real guy was even creepier, more violent and sociopathic. The film doesn't give any real back story, which is a possible but negligible shortcoming. The book, however, does a good job of illustrating how this poor country boy developed into the alienated monster he was, and how he fit (or rather didn't fit) into the community.

This story could have taken place in any small town. I happen to be from Missouri, and every summer I pass through and visit similar one-light towns in the Ozarks. (Just so we're straight on the geography, Skidmore, where this took place, is NOT near Springfield, per one reviewer, but in the northwest corner of the state.) The impression I always get is that because the townsfolk know each other, they are careful to get along with their neighbors. IBD is about how to deal with someone who has no intention of getting along with the neighbors.

I won't spoil the ending, but it is shocking, and a relief, when it comes, especially after the buildup of suspense and terror -- and it really does seem to render "justice." Love the line from the old farmer: "I didn't see nothing. And if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

This is an atmospheric TV movie that works as quality cinema.

Brian Dennehy paints a portrait of a truly sociopathic personality in this film. Plot twists are minimal simply because this is a true story. His characterization is all he has to work with, and Brian makes the most of it. He is by turns charming, threatening, homicidal and, all in all, just plain evil, a spoiled redneck who just can't imagine ever being called down for his activities.

Worse, he has intelligence to go with his warped mind.

We live in this character's part of the country and, believe me, people like this exist.

Not a great film, but the characterization will not only engross you, it'll probably scare the hell out of you.

Chris thought the plot was weak, I'm a Law Enforcement Officer in Northwest Missouri, the story is all too real! Here is a short review from the book of the same title. This movie/book was based on a REAL crime that occurred in Skidmore, MO in 1981.

From Publishers Weekly - Ken Rex McElroy terrorized the residents of several counties in northwestern Missouri for a score of years. He raped young girls and brutalized them after they went to live with him or even married him; he shot at least two men; he stole cattle and hogs, and burned down the houses of some who interfered with his criminal activities. Thanks to the expert efforts of his lawyer and the pro-defendant bias of state laws, he served no more than a few days in jail, the author shows. In 1981, sentenced for the shooting of a popular grocer and free on bail, he was killed by the men of Skidmore, the center of his felonies; they closed ranks against all attempts to identify those who had pulled the triggers. Written by a first-time author, this is an engrossing, credible examination of the way vigilante action can take over when the law appears to be powerless.

BOMC and QPBC alternates. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

I have to watch this movie once in a while just to send chills down my spine. Naturally, the names were changed to protect the innocent. This movie is based on a true story and the movie closely represents the actual events. I knew the man who wrote the original story. We watched original TV showing together and I was able to get his take on the whole thing. This story was presented almost exactly the way it happened. We both thought that Mr. Dennehy's portrayal of Len was excellent. The killing at the end of the movie was extremely accurate and was witnessed by the fellow sitting next to me. I read the original manuscript. This movie may not have all the typical Hollywood bells and whistles, but it correctly represents what really happened. (Great work Chris and congratulations again!) We rarely get to see movies that tell the original story so well...

Well I would like to comment on Chris's comment about this movie was dismal and the plot was shallow. How can something that happened in REAL life be shallow and dismal. How do I know this actually happened? I used to live in a small town next to the town in which this event took place and friends of my family and some of my family had run-ins with the guy in which Brian Dennehy portrayed. As for the movie I thought it was very good. Brian Dennehy played the part perfectly and I also thought the plot told a pretty accurate story of how this family tormented the people in that small community . And to this day those people have not said a word about what happened that day. Now that is justice