The story of Caryl Chessman, a convicted California rapist who spent 12 years on death row before finally being executed.The story of Caryl Chessman, a convicted California rapist who spent 12 years on death row before finally being executed.The story of Caryl Chessman, a convicted California rapist who spent 12 years on death row before finally being executed.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 nomination total
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Did you know
- TriviaHelen Kelly's debut.
- GoofsThe film's final credits do name the character played by Tony Burton as "Price," but this character seems to be based on Robert Otis *Pierce* who was executed at San Quentin on April 6, 1956 and the disturbing circumstances of whose execution as reported in various sources fit in many particulars with what is depicted in the movie. Since the actual names of other real-life persons portrayed in this movie--not the least of which Chessman's are accurately reproduced, it may be surmised that "Price" in the credits is an error for "Pierce."
- Quotes
Caryl W. Chessman: Kill me if you can.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1978)
Featured review
Never seen it -Do I want to?
I don't usually review movies on here.
I review movies I have not seen even less so heh.
I enjoy mr Alda's performances .
And that he starred in this TV movie that's apparently anti Death penalty is not surprising
As he's tended to be in to the left productions.
Now I'm as left as anyone-
Except perhaps on the death penalty.
Ultimately I think the government should not execute people.
Why?
Because I value the sanctity of all life and no one deserves that punishment?
No-I think there are people who deserve that punishment.
But I don't want any mistakes as in executing innocent people.
Do I think most executions are of innocent people?
Certainly not.
But how can we tolerate even one "mistake".
Even one is no longer an "execution" for a crime -It's murder by the State.
But as far as I can follow the story of the criminal this film is based on- Chessman-Is not innocent. Apparently he didn't kill anyone-So you can argue that No one should be executed for a non lethal crime. But what he apparently did do-Specifically rapes-doesn't leave me with ant sympathy for him. So as liberal as I am-And really I am-it puzzles me - And quite frankly disgusts me-To think that people spent their time and energy Writing directing producing etc this film. As a staunch liberal this is a "liberal" film that makes me cringe just in the thought of it. A quality actor like Alda portraying Chessman-albeit as an obnoxious, cocky character- In a script that certainly on some level makes him out to be the hero of the story, a martyr. Yes I know you can say that this just uses Chessman's story to bring up reasonable dialogue about The death penalty itself. But I much prefer the approach in other movies about this subject Where we know that a character is innocent (such as in The Green Mike). This movie evidently makes it a question whether Chessman is guilty or not. But-And some may disagree with me-I think the facts of the case are pretty damning for the time Considering they didn't have DNA etc back then as evidence. He was positively identified by both rape victims. I don't see how a rapist can ever ever be any sort of protagonist in a story, Sorry.
But as far as I can follow the story of the criminal this film is based on- Chessman-Is not innocent. Apparently he didn't kill anyone-So you can argue that No one should be executed for a non lethal crime. But what he apparently did do-Specifically rapes-doesn't leave me with ant sympathy for him. So as liberal as I am-And really I am-it puzzles me - And quite frankly disgusts me-To think that people spent their time and energy Writing directing producing etc this film. As a staunch liberal this is a "liberal" film that makes me cringe just in the thought of it. A quality actor like Alda portraying Chessman-albeit as an obnoxious, cocky character- In a script that certainly on some level makes him out to be the hero of the story, a martyr. Yes I know you can say that this just uses Chessman's story to bring up reasonable dialogue about The death penalty itself. But I much prefer the approach in other movies about this subject Where we know that a character is innocent (such as in The Green Mike). This movie evidently makes it a question whether Chessman is guilty or not. But-And some may disagree with me-I think the facts of the case are pretty damning for the time Considering they didn't have DNA etc back then as evidence. He was positively identified by both rape victims. I don't see how a rapist can ever ever be any sort of protagonist in a story, Sorry.
helpful•04
- thatsweetbird
- Aug 29, 2018
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