Superior 1991 made-for-TV movie towers above most other made-for-TV movies of the same era as it recreates the true story of small-town Missouri sociopath and "town bully" Ken McElroy (here called Len Rowan). Thanks to ineffective lawmen, wily attorneys and the flat-out incompetence of the legal system McElroy had free reign to terrorize the citizens of his small town for almost two decades. He basically robbed, assaulted, threatened and raped at will. It wasnt until he had shot and nearly killed two people that he was finally stopped.
It's an amazing story and the film brings it to life with great richness and not a little terror. A young Marcia Gay Harden is excellent as McElroy's battered but still loyal wife but it is Brian Dennehy who stands the tallest. He is completely terrifying as McElroy. The way he uses his considerable physical size to intimidate and create tension is just brilliant. Total embodiment of evil. This needs a DVD release!!
It's an amazing story and the film brings it to life with great richness and not a little terror. A young Marcia Gay Harden is excellent as McElroy's battered but still loyal wife but it is Brian Dennehy who stands the tallest. He is completely terrifying as McElroy. The way he uses his considerable physical size to intimidate and create tension is just brilliant. Total embodiment of evil. This needs a DVD release!!