MovieChat Forums > In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders (1988) Discussion > Best Made-for -TV movie ever?

Best Made-for -TV movie ever?

posted 16 years ago by ssarag1138
11 replies | jump to latest

Next to possibly "Duel" and "Brian's Song" (1971), this has to be the most watchable TV movie ever made. its just astonishing on so many levels, not least the performances by Gross and Soul. The story also is literally incredible when you think that the final shootout was meticulously staged for authenticity from the statements of the surviving FBI agents. If this had been fiction the scene would have been ludicrous, you'd think no-one could take that many bullet hits and keep going. David Soul is totally belivable in his role, shedding utterly any memories of Hutch or crooning Silver Lady!

The only think that I would change is the pretty lame synth score that lets the movie down a little. Apart from that this is a film I would unreservedly recommend. Don't be put off by the made-for-TV tag, this is visceral, bloody, shocking, and superbly paced film-making.

[–] micaofboca-1 16 years ago

Very well-put. I couldn't agree more. Good-lookin' out.

[–] morgan-153 16 years ago

Agreed. A superb film. Should be better known.

[–] pcventures 15 years ago

One of the best - I agree - actually the whole "in the line of duty" series is quite outstanding.
A police officer cousin of mine showed a "dry-fire" re-enactment of the incident. I recall watching this version only a few months later, and noted how authentically they staged the action scenes.

[–] firearms trainer 15 years ago

That "dry-fire" reenactment you saw was actually from the FBI training tape that the FBI Firearms Training Unit in Quantico made after the incident.

This incident revolutionized the way police are trained in firearms right across North America, and many police officers have seen that FBI video. It doesn't have the same production values as the Hollywood movie, of course, but it is absolutely incredible to be able to listen to the agents who were there that day.

You should feel quite privileged; that FBI video is not shown to many people outside police training circles!

(The producers of "In the Line of Duty" were given access to the video, and this is one of the reasons why the movie is a very close approximation of a real-life gunfight. It has all the required elements: tunnel vision: loss of hearing; effects of adrenaline on the human body; the survival mindset; everything.)

I honestly cannot say I have seen as real a gunfight as in this movie. It was not shot in slo-mo or with CGI; all the gunshots were fired in real guns using blanks, and the whole shootout took place in real time.

The concept of a real-life police gunfight being short, brutal, violent and confusing has not been depicted as well in any other movie, other than perhaps the Jeff Daniels/Joseph Gordon-Levitt bank heist movie from last year called "The Lookout."

[–] pcventures 15 years ago

I recall one of the themes from the FBI re-enactment was the idea of "not giving up" (perhaps already expressed by you as 'survival mindset'.)
The two agents that perished apparently were not mortally wounded, until they "gave up" and were essentially executed by Platt and Maddox.

[–] Tresix 14 years ago

This is absolutely my favorite m-f-TV movie of all-time. I would love to see a big-screen remake the way Michael Mann redid L.A. Takedown as Heat.

s to the left of me.
s to the right.
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

steven keaton's evil twin & waingro would make a badass duo.

The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.

[–] mike-1730 10 years ago

This IS the best TV movie ever, without a shadow of a doubt.
Brilliant.

[–] pcventures 9 years ago

I would say... one of the best. Special Bulletin might just be a competitor for best made for TV movie!

...and Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lotta ice, whenever he's away

[–] Callahan7 (906) 6 months ago

Very good made-for-TV movie.