Penalty Phase

• Director: Tony Richardson
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Movie Type: Psychological Drama, Political Drama
• Themes: Miscarriage of Justice, Work Ethics, Crisis of Conscience
• Main Cast: Richard Chaves, Peter Strauss
• Release Year: 1986
• Country: US
• Run Time: 94 minutes

Plot

Tony Richardson, who in his days of prominence directed the Oscar-winning Tom Jones (1963), demonstrated in 1986's Penalty Phase that the intervening years did not dim his talent in the least. Peter Strauss stars as a liberal judge, in the midst of a re-election campaign. Strauss has been under fire from his enemies for being too soft on criminals. He intends to prove otherwise while presiding over the case of a vicious mass murderer and rapist (Richard Chaves). Shortly after a guilty verdict is reached, Strauss is tipped off anonymously that the defendant right's may have been violated during interrogation. While the jury enters "the penalty phase" wherein they must decide on proper punishment, Strauss undergoes a profound moral dilemma: Should he honor the letter of the law, thereby incurring public wrath and losing all hopes for being re-elected? Scripted by former lawyer Gail Patrick Hickman, the made-for-TV Penalty Phase was originally telecast November 18, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Jonelle Allen - Susan Jansen; Karen Austin - Julie; Jane Badler - Katie Pinter; Richard Bright - Judge Von Karman; Ron Campbell - Chris; Richard Chaves - Nolan Esherman; Melissa Gilbert - Leah Furman; Michelle Guthrie - Miss Levine; John Harkins - Mr. Hunter; Rossie Harris - Zach Hoffman; Art La Fleur - Pete Pavlovich; Millie Perkins - Nancy Faulkner; Stacey Pickren - Clair Turnley; Mitchell Ryan - Judge Donald Faulkner; Peter Strauss - Judge Kenneth Hoffman; Mark Allen - Gil

Credit

Ron Talsky - Costume Designer, Tony Richardson - Director, David Simmons - Editor, Ralph Burns - Composer (Music Score), Raymond Leppard - Composer (Music Score), Steve Yaconelli - Cinematographer, Tamara Asseyev - Producer

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