FATAL VISION (1984) - Classic TV Mini-Series - Andy's Blu-Ray Review
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2024 1:15 pm
8/10
Harrowing adaptation of Joe McGinniss’ true crime bestseller, detailing the case of a military doctor named Jeffrey MacDonald (Gary Cole), who was ultimately convicted of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters. Getting to that point took the efforts of the slain woman’s parents (Karl Malden, Eva Marie Saint) and a number of lawyers to navigate through both assorted military and government bodies, all the while the brash and arrogant MacDonald appeared on The Dick Cavett Show while living a jet-setting life showing scant empathy for his slain family members.
This rock-solid, two-part NBC mini-series was one of the highest rated of the 1980s and earned Malden a well-deserved Emmy. He’s commanding as MacDonald’s father-in-law while David Greene’s direction is superb: while the mini-series could’ve benefited from another part, as it condenses quite a few years into its second half, there are disturbing moments and chilling elements in “Fatal Vision” that linger long after you’ve seen it. Much of that is due to the mandated restraint of the network parameters of its day, which force the producers to recount its graphic murders in a manner that’s arguably even more disturbing than a more explicit approach would’ve generated. Greene also creates some quiet, heartbreaking moments throughout, especially when the jurors who ultimately decided MacDonald’s fate pass through the family’s Fort Bragg home – a moving sequence presented without music or needless dialogue.
Kino Lorber’s 4K scan of the OCN results in a finely encoded and detailed 1080p (1.33) Blu-Ray transfer. The mono sound is fine, though Gil Melle’s synth-heavy score is clunky and comes off as the least satisfying element of an otherwise distinguished production. The label has included a full commentary by Daniel Kremer that offers some welcome background information on the case and other sources interested viewers can check out after the production is over.
Harrowing adaptation of Joe McGinniss’ true crime bestseller, detailing the case of a military doctor named Jeffrey MacDonald (Gary Cole), who was ultimately convicted of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters. Getting to that point took the efforts of the slain woman’s parents (Karl Malden, Eva Marie Saint) and a number of lawyers to navigate through both assorted military and government bodies, all the while the brash and arrogant MacDonald appeared on The Dick Cavett Show while living a jet-setting life showing scant empathy for his slain family members.
This rock-solid, two-part NBC mini-series was one of the highest rated of the 1980s and earned Malden a well-deserved Emmy. He’s commanding as MacDonald’s father-in-law while David Greene’s direction is superb: while the mini-series could’ve benefited from another part, as it condenses quite a few years into its second half, there are disturbing moments and chilling elements in “Fatal Vision” that linger long after you’ve seen it. Much of that is due to the mandated restraint of the network parameters of its day, which force the producers to recount its graphic murders in a manner that’s arguably even more disturbing than a more explicit approach would’ve generated. Greene also creates some quiet, heartbreaking moments throughout, especially when the jurors who ultimately decided MacDonald’s fate pass through the family’s Fort Bragg home – a moving sequence presented without music or needless dialogue.
Kino Lorber’s 4K scan of the OCN results in a finely encoded and detailed 1080p (1.33) Blu-Ray transfer. The mono sound is fine, though Gil Melle’s synth-heavy score is clunky and comes off as the least satisfying element of an otherwise distinguished production. The label has included a full commentary by Daniel Kremer that offers some welcome background information on the case and other sources interested viewers can check out after the production is over.