I always liked Robert Mitchum in the movies I saw with him as it always looked very natural and convincing in every role. And when I found this movie on YouTube and seeing that it stars James Spader and Eric Stoltz (two actors I usually like because they are too very natural), I had to see it, and I was right.
Gary Tison (Robert Mitchum) was serving a life sentence for murder and various other crimes. Despite this he looked like a good father and his family went often to visit him in prison. Under his fatherly exterior he was a manipulative and despicable man. And this manipulator managed to convince his three sons (James Spader, Eric Stoltz and Lance Kerwin) to help him and his cell mate escape from prison to the Arizona wilderness, leading to a manhunt. The best part is that after the escape Gary Tison murdered folks (including an entire family for stealing their truck and their stuff) and terrorized his sons for keeping them in line, and they will finally see that their father is NOT the man they thought he was (innocent and loving). All goes well and unpunished not until a final showdown with the police in the desert at night (possibly the coolest scenario).
The main reason for watching this is for the acting. Mitchum is great as a very menacing and evil man that knew how to kill people and how to force his sons for doing his deals. James Spader and Eric Stoltz were very good, while Lance Kerwin was a bit annoying.
In the end, a well acted and scary TV movie, but still a must see for its compelling plot and characters.
Gary Tison (Robert Mitchum) was serving a life sentence for murder and various other crimes. Despite this he looked like a good father and his family went often to visit him in prison. Under his fatherly exterior he was a manipulative and despicable man. And this manipulator managed to convince his three sons (James Spader, Eric Stoltz and Lance Kerwin) to help him and his cell mate escape from prison to the Arizona wilderness, leading to a manhunt. The best part is that after the escape Gary Tison murdered folks (including an entire family for stealing their truck and their stuff) and terrorized his sons for keeping them in line, and they will finally see that their father is NOT the man they thought he was (innocent and loving). All goes well and unpunished not until a final showdown with the police in the desert at night (possibly the coolest scenario).
The main reason for watching this is for the acting. Mitchum is great as a very menacing and evil man that knew how to kill people and how to force his sons for doing his deals. James Spader and Eric Stoltz were very good, while Lance Kerwin was a bit annoying.
In the end, a well acted and scary TV movie, but still a must see for its compelling plot and characters.