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IMDbPro

Obsession coupable

Original title: Nightmare in Columbia County
  • TV Movie
  • 1991
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
435
YOUR RATING
William Devane and Jeri Ryan in Obsession coupable (1991)
CrimeDramaThriller

The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980's.The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980's.The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980's.

  • Director
    • Roger Young
  • Writer
    • John Bensink
  • Stars
    • William Devane
    • Jeri Ryan
    • Michele Abrams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    435
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roger Young
    • Writer
      • John Bensink
    • Stars
      • William Devane
      • Jeri Ryan
      • Michele Abrams
    • 19User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast36

    Edit
    William Devane
    William Devane
    • Sheriff Jim Metts
    Jeri Ryan
    Jeri Ryan
    • Dawn Elizabeth Smith
    • (as Jeri Lynn Ryan)
    Michele Abrams
    Michele Abrams
    • Shari Smith
    Nick Searcy
    Nick Searcy
    • Asst. Sheriff McCarty
    Linda Pierce
    • Hilda Smith
    J. Don Ferguson
    J. Don Ferguson
    • Bob Smith
    James Slade
    James Slade
    • Larry Gene Bell
    • (as Butch Slade)
    Joyce Leigh Bowden
    • Carol Metts
    • (as Joyce Bowden)
    Stephen Preusse
    • SLED Officer
    Joe Maggard
    • Scanlon
    Michael Flippo
    • Command Post Deputy
    Chuck Kinlaw
    • Principal
    Mark Jeffrey Miller
    Mark Jeffrey Miller
    • Man at Depot
    • (as Mark Miller)
    Alan Sader
    • Prosecutor
    Don Tilley
    • Man at Door
    John Bennes
    • Mr. Thornwell
    Stephen Ware
    Stephen Ware
    • Man at Pageant
    Rick Marshall
    • Man at Elevator
    • Director
      • Roger Young
    • Writer
      • John Bensink
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    5.7435
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    Featured reviews

    8videorama-759-859391

    Obseessive viewing

    Horrifiic story, of indeed one psychopath, better put six feet under. Solid acting from Devane, obsessed like Doherty was with him, in that tv film. Here, he's a town cop, who heads up this investigation, to retrieve the kidnapped daughter of a South Carolina family, her older sister, a promising beauty pageant queen, and she is beautiful, the focus of this nutter's murderous obsession. A full scale search begins, to track down, the vulnerable diabetic teen. This sick SOB starts calling, taunting the family, builds up a conversational repore with the sister, who she and authorities try to bait this guy, but unfortunately he's very ahead of the game. The actor who does a marvellous job here, looks pretty much like the real Larry Gene Bell. His testimony in court, smally covered, this one lovestruck comment, was quite offputting. Indeed this true life t.v movie, is truly tragic, too, invoving child murder, this is a highly engrossing drama, and a sisterly repecting ending, as is footage of the real Dawn. Pretty much, this film will stay with you, days after. Solid, well made, wonferfully acted tv drama, with one great raging Devane moment. Watch.
    MightyAphrodite

    memories :)...

    I saw this movie several times as a kid, and it came to my mind a few days ago. I came to web and found it :D... It's a great movie, really exciting and good. I truly recommend it.

    The actors do a great job and the directing is excellent. If this is based on a true story then it's really creepy....
    Bryce-5

    This story is still well Known.

    I am from Lexington South Carolina where this story takes place. The movie is inaccurate by calling it Columbia County because it is not Columbia County it is Lexington County.. Columbia is just the largest city near by. This movie is a true story.. and its funny because it almost happened 20 years ago and it still is talked about and known today.. Kinda scary how things can be shaken up in a small town.
    6gavin6942

    Made-for-TV Silliness

    The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980s. (Despite the name, there is no Columbia County in South Carolina.) This film has two things going for it. One, it roughly tells the story of killer Larry Gene Bell, so anyone interested in him ought to check this out. But more interestingly, it features Jeri Ryan before she got her big break on "Star Trek". So any fans of hers will want to see this (though it is not her finest moment).

    I was amused by how often they used the "call tracing" plot device. I do not know a lot about how real call tracing worked at the time,but I love that in movies it has to take a certain amount of time to get the exact location. Why it would take so long when the phone company should know where the call came from is beyond me.
    ashleywolf

    Netflix lists this film as 'Victim of Beauty.'

    This is one of the better made-for-TV films based on a true story. William Devane is always convincing as either a good guy or a bad one. He does a great job playing the former, town Sheriff, in this one. I also want to add that I've heard from several people that have worked on films with Devane that he is a really nice guy in person as well (just a note).

    Netflix has this film in it's database right now and it's listed as 'Victim of Beauty.' I have no idea why names for TV films are so interchanged, but it's irritating. Also, for some strange reason, they have Sally Kellerman on the cover image, who isn't even cast in the film.

    The movie is pretty entertaining. As with most films of this nature, some details have been changed, but nothing that compromises the story.

    If the real story interests you, you can find some harrowing commentary from the search participants on the web.

    Thank you.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Larry Gene Bell was executed in 1996. He was the last inmate to die in South Carolina's electric chair.
    • Connections
      Version of I, Witness: The Smith Sisters (2017)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 15, 1992 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nightmare in Columbia County
    • Filming locations
      • Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
    • Production company
      • Landsburg Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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