IMDb RATING
7.4/10
960
YOUR RATING
In early-twentieth-century Atlanta, the murder of a young girl prompts strong reactions from the community and ultimately leads to the arrest of a man who could actually be innocent.In early-twentieth-century Atlanta, the murder of a young girl prompts strong reactions from the community and ultimately leads to the arrest of a man who could actually be innocent.In early-twentieth-century Atlanta, the murder of a young girl prompts strong reactions from the community and ultimately leads to the arrest of a man who could actually be innocent.
- Won 3 Primetime Emmys
- 4 wins & 5 nominations total
Browse episodes
Thomas Anderson
• 1988
Dylan Baker
• 1988
Nesbitt Blaisdell
• 1988
Beeson Carroll
• 1988
David Cromwell
• 1988
Featured reviews
The movie seemed cool. My best friend's mother told us about Mary Phagan long time ago. There use to be a children's song about her, and her mom use to sing it to us as children. Not until tonight did she tell me her aunt was Mary's best friend. For years we thought the song was a made up story, so it was creepy knowing her aunt knew Mary. Back to my point, it was a good movie.
I saw this as a 4 hour movie on UK tv. As it was based on a true story I found it very interesting and most of the 4 hours seemed to go very quick - although some bits did seem to drag on. The acting is excellent in most places and it's fun to see big names back before they were famous (Macy, Gallagher and Spacey). William H Macy doesn't really do very much, Spacey hangs around and does well enough, Lemmon is great but Peter Gallagher does better than I've ever seen him be as the manager of the factory where the murder occurs.
All in all, a well acted story that manages to keep you interested but over one 4 hour sitting can be quite hard work at times.
All in all, a well acted story that manages to keep you interested but over one 4 hour sitting can be quite hard work at times.
Wonderfully engrossing drama that is well acted and completely interesting. Is a little gem that by the look of the votes here, was missed by lots. That's a shame. If you ever come across it in the future, is worth a look. I gave it a 9.
This program boasts a great cast, but more importantly it is a textbook case of how a television drama should be mounted. An intriguing but basic courtroom drama that takes on greater significance as the plot develops. Fine characterizations abound in this production. It doesn't get much better than this.
This was a spectacular movie. I don't know where to start. I saw this on TV back in 1988 and taped it and watched it over and over. It is a facinating true story about a Brooklyn born jewish man Leo Frank, who is accused of raping and murdering a young southern girl working in the pencil factory he manages in Atlanta.
The true case takes on epic proportions as a firery battle ensuses as political power, prejudice and fallout from the civil war, seek to destroy a man who is almost certainly innocent - and destroy anyone who tries to help him.
Even more intersting than the trial is the second half of the story. The Governor (Jack Lemon) tries to give Leo Frank a fair chance at justice and is forced to fight his lifelong friends who have political ambitions of their own - and may destroy his entire life in the attempt.
It's an excellent movie to show to children to teach them about character and doing what is right in the face of impossible odds - to show to history class and just for anyone who has any interst in history or drama!
The true case takes on epic proportions as a firery battle ensuses as political power, prejudice and fallout from the civil war, seek to destroy a man who is almost certainly innocent - and destroy anyone who tries to help him.
Even more intersting than the trial is the second half of the story. The Governor (Jack Lemon) tries to give Leo Frank a fair chance at justice and is forced to fight his lifelong friends who have political ambitions of their own - and may destroy his entire life in the attempt.
It's an excellent movie to show to children to teach them about character and doing what is right in the face of impossible odds - to show to history class and just for anyone who has any interst in history or drama!
Did you know
- TriviaAt one point, Lucille visits Leo in prison and tells him, "Seems like we spend the best part of our time just saying goodbye." This line is almost identical to Angela's line to George when she visits him in prison for the last time in Une place au soleil (1951), which was directed by George Stevens, the father of this film's co-writer and producer, George Stevens Jr..
- Alternate versionsA sharply abbreviated version also exists online, cutting the running time to the standard length of a theatrical film.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)
- How many seasons does The Murder of Mary Phagan have?Powered by Alexa
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