53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer

Over the top tamed down version of events. Made for tv event, really.

These true stories SHOULD be treated as true stories and not some cleaned up version. It's a disservice.

I'll keep this short and sweet. The story here is very close to the actual happenings of the Mary Stauffer kidnapping, but because this was a film designed for a TV audience, including children, it spares many of the horrific accounts that actually took place.

Hannigan delivers above all in this movie to portray Mary, a role that is difficult to capture and required a lot of pressure to take on.

It's also an excellent testament to the power of hope and prayer. The morals that the world learned from the actual crime are easily pushed in a proper manner.

The acting is truly awful, as for the one playing Ming, please go back to drama school, a lump of cardboard would have acted better.

This true story deserved a lot better actors to tell it.

Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story is a heart-wrenching film based on a real-life ordeal that unfolded in the quiet suburb of Roseville, Minnesota. The film delves into the terrifying experience of Mary Stauffer, who was abducted from her own home, leaving her family and community in shock and despair.

While the film effectively captures the tension and fear surrounding the abduction, it also shines a light on the unwavering hope and resilience of the victim and her loved ones. The performances are commendable, particularly those of the actors portraying Mary and her family. Their raw emotions and genuine portrayals draw the audience into the harrowing narrative.

However, the film's pacing occasionally falters, and some scenes may feel drawn out. Additionally, the abrupt transitions between timelines can be confusing at times. Despite these minor shortcomings, Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story is a poignant reminder of the importance of community support and the enduring power of human spirit in the face of adversity.

In 1980, school teacher Mary Stauffer (Alyson Hannigan) and her eight-year old daughter Beth are kidnapped by her former student Ming Sen Shiue. They are held captive for 53 days. It's a straight forward Lifetime woman-in-trouble movie. Alyson is good. Most of the actors are fine. Everything is fine and nothing's great.