The brutal, meaningless slaying of a rural Midwestern family horrified America in 1959. This film – based on Truman Capote’s hauntingly detailed, psychologically penetrating nonfiction novel – introduces cowardly con man Dick Hickock (Anthony Edwards), who hears a cellmate in prison recount how $10,000 in cash is kept in a home safe by a prosperous rancher in Holcomb, Kansas.
When he’s paroled, Dick persuades ex-con Perry Smith (Eric Roberts) to join him in going after the stash and on a November night in 1959, Dick and Perry break into the house of Herb Clutter (Kevin Tighe).
Enraged at finding no safe, they wake the sleeping family and brutally kill them all.
The bodies are found by two friends who come by before church on Sunday. The murders shock the small Great Plains town, where doors are routinely left unlocked.
Agent Alvin Dewey (Sam Neill) of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation heads the case, but there are no clues, no apparent motive and no suspects.
This long, drawn-out drama (it aired over four hours across two nights) follows the novel meticulously, and the period detail is faultless. The actors and directing are competent, and the script is OK, but the whole thing takes way too long to reach a climax. The 1967 movie starring Robert Blake, Scott Wilson and John Forsythe is infinitely superior.
The drama was filmed in Canada, doubling for Kansas, and features an early appearance from Ryan Reynolds as Bobby Rupp.
Dick Hickock
Anthony Edwards Perry Smith
Eric Roberts Agent Alvin Dewey
Sam Neill Herbert Clutter
Kevin Tighe Bonnie Clutter
Gillian Barber Nancy Clutter
Margot Finley Kenyon Clutter
Robbie Bowen Bess Hartmann
Bethel Leslie Sadie Truitt
Gwen Verdon Agent Harold Nye
Leo Rossi Carl Duntz
Troy Evans Roy Church
Don S. Davis Tex Smith
L.Q. Jones Eunice Hickock
Louise Latham Walter Hickock
Campbell Lane Alfred Stoecklein
Tom McBeath Floyd Wells
Brad Greenquist Bobby Rupp
Ryan Reynolds Susan Kidwell
Lindsey Campbell Kathy Ewalt
Emily Perkins Marie Dewey
Susan Hogan Minister
Harry Northup Clarence Ewalt
Frank C. Turner Little Perry
Matthew Lerigny Dorie
Stephanie Anne Mills Tom Sawyer
Mark Herring Eveanna Clutter
Liese McDonald Beverly Clutter
Brenda Shuttleworth Mrs Ketchum
Valerie Planche Jolene Ketchum
Veronika Sztopa Flo Smith
Renae Morriseau Flo’s John
Randy Birch Ann
Chezlene Kocian Tommy
Jesse Lipscombe James
Christian Goutsis Sheriff
Paul Coeur Undersheriff
Mark Anderako Otto
Wolfgang Brunner Rosa
Patricia M. Tkachuk Inez
Pamela Diaz Jeb
Johnny Ray McGhee Bill
Rhys Williams Mark Logan
John McDonough Detective Pike
John Gibbs
