Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story

Why Hollywood would take an exceptional chronicle written by Nellie Bly and turn it into a pathetic presentation is beyond me. Her book "10 Days In A Madhouse" offers far more in the way of graphic detail of abuse than the movie does and it does not in any way romanticize the days she spent on Blackwell's Island in the asylum. I found the movie overly played and, frankly, boring.

The tragedy of Lifetime's presentation of Nellie Bly's story of her time in the insane asylum on Blackwell's Island is that reality of what happened to her and chronicalled in her book '10 Days in the Madhouse' is far more interesting than the fictionalized account presented in the film. What Nellie Bly did was remarkable and lead to significant reforms in the way things were done. Truth is frequently more interesting than fiction.

Is an entertaining movie loosely based on the real story, yes that's right, but I rather prefer a not so accurate story because it's a movie after all. If you want to know about the real story, just read the book and stop complaining about the "mistakes" the writer supposedly did with the film.

7, because Christina Ricci Judith Light Nellie "Bly"

When Lifetime does a movie, we know a lot about what it will be like. Lifetime movies are their own genre. I haven't watched one for probably 30 years because: vcrs, dvds, real cable, streaming.

Almost didn't watch this, but Ricci & Light were a draw for me.

It's a passable movie, decent sets etc. Categorised under Horror/Thriller, I was surprised to find it a Based On.

Don't expect Eli Roth level scares, although it's a truly horrifying fact that women were treated like this. The movie is generalities & smoothed edges.

Best about it was discovering the real story, of which I was totally ignorant. If this was complete fiction, it would be a 5 for me.

A watchable movie for a day you need good actresses, decent sets, & a story you can glide in & out of.

If it piques your interest, read her actual story!

Made by Lifetime TV, "Television for Women." But, unfortunately, the facts about the courageous Nellie Bly and her fight for patient rights are not a part of tis film. Watchable.