The Bad Seed

• Director: Paul Wendkos
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Thriller
• Movie Type: Psychological Thriller
• Themes: Mothers and Daughters, Evil Children
• Main Cast: Blair Brown, David Carradine, Lynn Redgrave, Carrie Wells
• Release Year: 1985
• Country: US
• Run Time: 100 minutes

Plot

The 1985 TV movie The Bad Seed is the second film version of Maxwell Anderson's 1956 Broadway play. Carrie Wells plays Rachel Penmark, a 9-year-old girl who is perfection itself--unless she's crossed or challenged. Several disturbing recent incidents have led Rachel's mother Christine (Blair Brown) to suspect that her child is a latent murderess. Upon discovering that she herself is the daughter of a convicted killer, Christine becomes convinced that sweet little Rhoda is a "bad seed"--an inherent killer who feels no remorse because she doesn't know any better. David Carradine co-stars as a moronic handyman who comes too close to Rhoda's secret to live, while Lynn Redgrave essays the Evelyn Varden role of Monica Breedlove, a garrulous landlady. Originally aired February 7, 1985, this version of The Bad Seed avoids the many cop-outs in the 1956 theatrical film version by retaining Maxwell Anderson's ironic final scene. Film historians will note that producers changed the title character's name from "Rhoda" to "Rachel" for this version, perhaps to lend the story a more contemporary feel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Chad Allen - Mark Daigler; Blair Brown - Christine Penmark; Christa Denton; Anne Haney - Alice Fern; Richard Kiley - Richard Bravo; Lynn Redgrave - Monica Breedlove; Eve Smith - Mrs. Post; David Ogden Stiers; Carrie Wells - Rachel Penmark; David Carradine - Leroy Jessup

Credit

Fredric P. Hope - Art Director, Paul Wendkos - Director, Steven Cohen - Editor, Paul Chihara - Composer (Music Score), Ted Voigtlander - Cinematographer, George Eckstein - Producer, George Eckstein - Screenwriter, William March - Book Author, Maxwell Anderson - Play Author

Similar Movies

Bloody Birthday; Children of the Corn; The Omen; The Other; Village of the Damned; Twisted; The Good Son