The Murder of Mary Phagan (1988) User Reviews (25)

Long and Well Done Drama.

[rmax304823 · 8/10 · 8 February 2013]

Based, more or less, in real events in 1913. Mary Phagan, a young girl who works in an Atlanta pencil factory, is found raped and murdered. The ambitious prosecutor (Jordan) manages to pin it on the factory's manager, Leo Frank (Gallagher), who happens to be a happily married Jew. Frank is convicted and sentenced to hang, based mostly on the testimony of a black factory worker (Dutton) and some help from other girls who seem to want their pictures in the paper.

Should the governor (Lemon) commute the sentence to life imprisonment? Well -- yes and no. "Yes", because Lemon's own investigation reveals that Dutton has lied and the defense was practically incompetent so there is more than enough room for reasonable doubt, if not for Gallagher's innocence.

"No", because practically everybody in Georgia wants to see Gallagher get hanged. A commutation would kill Lemon's chances for the senate seat and assure him of complete obscurity.

Lemon's is the most interesting character because he's in a conundrum of the sort that psychologists call an approach/avoidance conflict and Immanuel Kant would have seen as a choice between a categorical imperative (what's the moral thing to do?) and a hypothetical imperative (what's in it for me?). As Leo Frank, Gallagher is a tragic figure, a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn who seems to have been railroaded by tribal sentiments, but he has no choice in the matter. He's like a guy who's just been run over accidentally by a car. Too bad. But Lemon is like the driver of the car who can take off at high speed or stop and face the consequences.

It's a well-done TV movie with high production values -- great big ballrooms with balconies, lavish sets, hordes of extras, nifty writing and direction that doesn't shove the tragic or violent moments in our faces. Never -- never -- does the viewer see the jury foreman get to his feet and solemnly say, "Your honor, we find the defendant, Leo Frank, guilty of murder," as the camera zeroes in on the foreman's unshaven, redneck face. That's just one of many clichés avoided.

And what a cast! Lemon, Gallagher, Kevin Spacey in a minor role, Bill Macy in an even smaller part, Paul Dooley, Robert Prosky, Cynthia Nixon. Among the best performances are those of Charles S. Dutton as a sly and savvy liar and Loretta Devine as the girl he flirts with in the jail. Frank's wife is played by Rebecca Miller, whose beauty combines conventional prettiness with elegance. And a musical score by Maurice Jarre that evokes the hymn, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus." I assume the use of the religious tune is meant to be ironic because, at the end, the good church-going folk string up Leo Frank and kill him.

Powerful, well-acted semi historical melodrama.

[coop-16 · 9/10 · 23 April 2000]

The basic story..the railroading and lynching of Leo Frank is true.Their are certain melodramatic touches-Governor Slaton never actually exposed the real killer, for one thing-but on the whole, this is an extremely accurate, and insightful historical drama. The performances by a superb cast are uniformly excellent, and the rich details of the production design succeed in accurately conveying a time and a place that are closer to us than many would like to think.In short, an earnest, stirring, well made TV movie-a "9"

One of Jack Lemmon's Most Unusual Roles

[malvernp · 29 July 2008]

This mini-series captures Jack Lemmon in a strong role as a real historical figure. Governor Slaton of Georgia risked (and ultimately lost) a promising political career in his search for the truth as to what really happened to Mary Phagan. Lemmon is heroic in an understated way----very different than many of the manic-like comedy performances that conspicuously dotted his long career.

The story was filmed before in 1937 by Warner Brothers with Mervyn LeRoy directing as "They Won't Forget." This is the film that launched the career of Lana Turner as a major sex symbol. She played the very small Mary Phagan-like role when just a young teenager---and who could forget her famous stroll through town as she strutted her sexy stuff just before her murder? In "They Won't Forget," the story was changed significantly to eliminate any reference to the Leo Frank-like character as a Jew. Instead, he was depicted as a teacher (not a pencil factory manager) with apparently a Christian background.

"They Won't Forget" was a typical Warner Brothers social drama of the 1930s. It fudged on the facts but was quite gripping and engrossing. Claude Rains may have been somewhat over-the-top as the prosecuting attorney---but he commanded your attention.

On the other hand, "The Murder of Mary Phagan" stays much closer to the true story. It's interesting to compare the two films to see just how much easier it was in 1988 to tell the whole narrative of the Leo Frank case than it was in 1937.

For another source of information on this remarkable historical event, seek out Harry Golden's fine book of many years ago---"A Little Girl is Dead."

Riveting television drama

[sherlock-34 · 10/10 · 8 September 2000]

This program boasts a great cast, but more importantly it is a textbook case of how a television drama should be mounted. An intriguing but basic courtroom drama that takes on greater significance as the plot develops. Fine characterizations abound in this production. It doesn't get much better than this.

Seek out this diamond in the rough

[Merely · 9/10 · 5 May 1999]

Wonderfully engrossing drama that is well acted and completely interesting. Is a little gem that by the look of the votes here, was missed by lots. That's a shame. If you ever come across it in the future, is worth a look. I gave it a 9.

A hidden treasure of non-fiction historial drama!

[Hythlodaeus · 10/10 · 7 April 2004]

This was a spectacular movie. I don't know where to start. I saw this on TV back in 1988 and taped it and watched it over and over. It is a facinating true story about a Brooklyn born jewish man Leo Frank, who is accused of raping and murdering a young southern girl working in the pencil factory he manages in Atlanta.

The true case takes on epic proportions as a firery battle ensuses as political power, prejudice and fallout from the civil war, seek to destroy a man who is almost certainly innocent - and destroy anyone who tries to help him.

Even more intersting than the trial is the second half of the story. The Governor (Jack Lemon) tries to give Leo Frank a fair chance at justice and is forced to fight his lifelong friends who have political ambitions of their own - and may destroy his entire life in the attempt.

It's an excellent movie to show to children to teach them about character and doing what is right in the face of impossible odds - to show to history class and just for anyone who has any interst in history or drama!

great movie

[Clara19987 · 9/10 · 12 January 2005]

Although it's been a while since I've seen this movie, I had a renewed interest in it when I found out there was a musical of the same story. It's really a truly remarkable and shameful story of American history, and I am glad that such wonderful artists have chosen to bring it back to life. The musical is very good, and the movie is just as lovely. Once again, Peter Gallagher hits the nail right on the head. I've done a lot of research on the real life story, and the movie and musical are very true to it, even in the smallest of details. Thank God for a good story! Everyone needs to see a story like this, and it's a shame that this was only made for TV and not actually released in theatres.

Great bunch of actors, tight script for a long one.

[aedowd · 1 November 2011]

Not a review but my experience with the actors. I was playing piano in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Richmond VA, where cast and crew were staying. For two weeks, my solo audience, 5 nights a week, was Jack Lemmon. Walking around from time to time: Richard Jordan, Robert Prosky, Paul Dooley. And there was one guy who brought his black Labrador Retriever on location. This guy kept hanging all over Jack Lemmon, when Lemmon wasn't sitting in front of me eating a small pizza, reading a magazine. That guy turned out to be Kevin Spacey. He wasn't quite a big star yet, but as Lemmon was my favorite actor, and currently Spacey is my favorite actor, I wish I'd spoken to him. I never did bother Lemmon. We just said hellos and goodbyes, but I figured he didn't need me bugging him after a long day of shooting. Plus, as I know he was an amateur jazz pianist, I was flattered that he wanted to sit there every night, listening to me. What a fun life I've had. Just thought I'd share.

Excellent movie and Excellent dramatiation of actual events

[kathi-13 · 10/10 · 17 February 2004]

Just finished reading "And the Dead Shall Rise", the book about the murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank. I thought the film did a great job at attempting to bring the story to the film medium, even accepting the dramatic license that the film-makers took (had to take, really) to fit the story into 4 hours.

Being a transplanted Yankee, and now a resident of Atlanta, I thought the filmakers did a terrific job at trying to get the nuances (sp) of the South across. Atlanta is a wonderful place to live, but the echos of past prejudices can be seen and heard in her history.

This film, attempts (and succeeds more often than not) to show the mentality of the almost-next-generation-after-the-civil-war populace. Many of whom disparaged all people of color, races other than white, and (perhaps even more so) Yankees. Then there is poor Leo Frank, a Yank and a Jew.

The singing of hymns and the song about Mary Phagan, mentioned in one other review, was believable to me. I've lived in Mississippi, Texas and now Georgia, and I find it historically accurate from what I've experienced of the South. I think it would have added a deal to illustrating this if the producers had included some of the hideously vile comments from Watson's newspapers during the events of the time. There was some incredible stuff printed and bought up - ate up - by the majority of the people of Georgia. Watson had SO much to answer for.

I recomend the film, but would add that a reading of the book (mentioned above) before viewing it would add to the viewer's appreciation as well as provide in-depth background to the telling of the tragedy. As well, the book adds more about the identities of the famous and infamous involved in the trial and lynching. Moreover, there are a few 'heroes' who did quite a bit in the interest of justice that seem to have been rolled into single characters for the sake of movie-making. You learn more about all of these people, too. And the rise of the New KKK and Jewish Anti-Defamation League from the results of what happened in Georgia.

The worst of the short-cuts that the movie took, IMO, was the way they had the lynch party seem to give Leo Frank dignified treatment after they hanged him. Truthfully, they left him there, and more than 3000 people rushed to the site the next day - many having their pictures taken with his body still hanginh there. Finally, after his shirt sleeves were cut off as souvenirs, (and more attempted) the killers moved him, succeeding only after one rather rabid man had smashed the dead mans's face with his boot heel several times.

But all-in-all, a faithful as Hollywood ever gets it, telling of the story.

Excellent True Historical Account

[cmts · 10/10 · 15 January 2005]

I feel this movie is exceptional in the true life account of the death of little Mary Phagan. It truly depicts the working of children in factories prior to child labor laws. It shows the poverty of the time. It depicts how the lack of education and open mindedness can lead people to do deeds not in line with their professed beliefs. It depicts various cultures and shows how everyone can enjoy music, dance, celebrate and enjoy life. And, that life goes on even after great tragedy. It shows how little children are influenced by adults out of fear. It depicts the lack of forensic science now used to solve crime. My father was a child laborer; so, this picture is of great interest to me in learning more about the long hours and little pay he earned during that time period. A great historical epic worth every minute that no one interested in U.S. history should miss.

First rate

[trob226 · 9/10 · 11 December 2008]

This TV miniseries would put most feature films to shame. First rate story, historically based, first rate cast all at the top of their game, all seemed to know that this was an important story to tell. The late Jack Lemmon, the late Richard Jordan, Peter Gallagher, Charles Dutton and Robert Prosky were spot on, and I thought Rebecca Miller as Lucille Frank was marvelous. Even the more minor characters (which included a young William H. Macy as "W.H.Macy") were letter perfect. The only thing that keeps me from giving the film a 10 is that it needed to be tightened up in the last hour or so, but if you edited it a bit and otherwise released it as a feature right now, Oscars would be handed out. It's that compelling and that well executed.

A movie that taught me some history

[photoe · 9/10 · 4 January 2010]

I can't believe I don't know anything about this event in US History, but then there are so many examples of southern racist idiocy and violence in US history, it's kind of hard to keep up with them all.

I've never even heard of this movie despite it including major actors like Jack Lemmon and Kevin Spacey because it makes Georgians and Southerners look, well, not too good is putting it mildly.

Rural racists wrongly accuse a Jewish factory manager of murder, and railroad him using testimony from the actual murderer, a criminal with a long record, then hound a governor who commutes his sentence out of the state, and then they lynch the man after his sentence has been commuted. See the sequel to more of the lovely legacy of this wondrous part of the nation in Mississippi Burning. Makes you shudder to think of what it would be like to get railroaded by a gang of low-IQ violent morons. Read up on the real event online - its horrifying. The movie is not just based on a true story, it is the true story, sorted out 70 years after the fact.

Technically a great movie. All the leads deliver great performances, and I always enjoy watching Jack Lemmon speak for good and justice. The movie is a lot fairer to the lynchers than it had to be. There isn't a conservative network or major channel out there that wants this film broadcast again, but thank the THIS channel for being a great venue of alternative (once mainstream) films of the past. I really appreciate that channel. Too much in fact, it's distracting me regularly.

A More Thorough Study of the Mary Phagan Story

[JLRMovieReviews · 9/10 · 17 February 2017]

Jack Lemmon stars in this TV telling of a true incident in our history. When a young lady is killed, her employer (Peter Gallagher) is accused, because of circumstantial evidence, supposedly true testimony of others implicating him, his ladies man reputation, but mostly because he is a Yankee and a Jew in the South. He is given a trial, which isn't quite a fair one. When the sentence is hanging until death and a pardon from the Governor is possible, Governor Jack Lemmon feels the prisoner was given a bum deal, considering the community's prejudice and has qualms about letting the man hang. He goes on his own crusade and investigation to delve deeper into the story. Jack Lemmon has never given a bad performance, and in fact, everyone was very good in their role, especially Dutton in his memorable role. This was a very educational, involved and thoughtful film. "They Won't Forget" with Claude Rains and Lana Turner was another film about this, but that was a loose telling of the story, as it took place in a school setting instead a workplace. I've seen it, and it stands on its own as a good example of hard-hitting drama and movie-making if not totally accurate to the basic facts. After seeing this version though, you may not want to see the older version, as this puts the characters and their feelings first rather than serving their problems up for your entertainment.

Well acted, interesting but over long

[bob the moo · 10 September 2001]

I saw this as a 4 hour movie on UK tv. As it was based on a true story I found it very interesting and most of the 4 hours seemed to go very quick - although some bits did seem to drag on. The acting is excellent in most places and it's fun to see big names back before they were famous (Macy, Gallagher and Spacey). William H Macy doesn't really do very much, Spacey hangs around and does well enough, Lemmon is great but Peter Gallagher does better than I've ever seen him be as the manager of the factory where the murder occurs.

All in all, a well acted story that manages to keep you interested but over one 4 hour sitting can be quite hard work at times.

Great Movie

[rt64 · 10/10 · 25 December 2005]

This movie involved one of my ancestors on my father's side of the family, Mary Phagan. Back in the 70's my uncle, Leo Phagan, had been researching our family tree and had learned about what happened to Mary Phagan. He shared the information with me and I thought it was a bizarre, yet fascinating story and was pleasantly surprised to see that they actually made a movie about it. Unfortunately, our family has no other claim to fame. It is a great movie with excellent acting and I would recommend it to anyone. I also agree with the previous reviewer that it would be an excellent movie to show in school to a history or sociology class. Hope you enjoy it.

This is one great and terrific movie

[john22900 · 9/10 · 6 July 2009]

I've seen this movie/miniseries once or twice now and it just gets better with every viewing.

The cast is perfect and the acting uniformly superb.

The best part is that this is a true story and is based on a true historical murder case.

One small problem is that dramatic license has been taken in the telling of certain aspects of the reality which I think detracts from the overall quality a bit. Not really enough to do any serious damage to the film but personally I prefer films that are based on true stories to be absolutely faithful to all aspects of that story. That is my own personal preference. I realize that some parts of the story, namely the lynching and the aftermath of it were horrifying as well as gross but I also think that portraying those elements just as they occurred in history would have made this film an even more powerful movie than it already is.

Throughout the history of the cinema there have been antiwar films and anti vigilante films that did not moderate their violence, brutality, savagery and explicitness. Such filmmakers usually are criticized for dwelling on the violence and the grim details. But in my opinion it is precisely those same elements that elevate a mediocre or good film to epic classic stature. Make no mistake. This is by no means a mediocre film. I just wish this film had not been as squeamish as some of those other movies. A minor complaint, I grant you. But still very worth seeing! A must-see for fans of great cinema.

Excellent mini-series

[shane-4 · 9/10 · 18 May 2009]

Leo Frank was born in Cuero, Texas on April 17, 1884, but his family soon moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he attended Pratt Institute; he was graduated from Cornell University in 1906 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering.

In 1908, he became the head of a pencil factory in Atlanta started by his uncle Moses Frank. He married Lucille Selig, a local girl, in November of 1910.

Mary Phagan had been employed at the National Pencil Co for a little over a year. She returned for her $1.20 pay that Saturday (because of the holiday) and was never seen again alive. At almost 14 years of age, she earned $4.05 for a 55-hr. week.

One of the many puzzles is why Newt Lee, the watchman at the factory, was sent away when he first reported for duty on April 26, 1913. His schedule had been set the day before by Mr. Frank.

Some new documents have begun to surface on this case, and they can be viewed at: www.leofrankcase.com. To this day, no one knows what eventually happened to Jim Conley, who was last sighted in 1941. Leo's lawyers found his testimony incredible and challenged his character and truthfulness, but he was able to stay employed for over two years.

This mini-series is available on VHS tape, and hopefully will be re- released on DVD. It is definitely worth a viewing.

Groovy

[ooohwows · 5 May 2002]

The movie seemed cool. My best friend's mother told us about Mary Phagan long time ago. There use to be a children's song about her, and her mom use to sing it to us as children. Not until tonight did she tell me her aunt was Mary's best friend. For years we thought the song was a made up story, so it was creepy knowing her aunt knew Mary. Back to my point, it was a good movie.

terrifically well presented in first class casts ability

["SPEC" · 26 June 1999]

george stevens ,jr. always does quality things as was this. william hale,ii was super leading the plot to climax of theme and drew out best in characters. since the initial showing i have heard many others express their opinion that this was a super presentation. congrats george and billy hale and the fine extras cast of richmond,va. area.

Very good mini-series

[Rose-35 · 26 June 2000]

This is one of the best mini-series I've seen in a long time. They get the story right and is acted out very well, esp. by Lemmon and Gallagher. It was also nice to see Kevin Spacey in one of his first roles. If you get a chance, watch this one. It will be worth it.

A movie with some up and comers

[gcmorse · 26 March 2000]

I had the chance to watch much of this film being made, as it was shot around Richmond and in the State Capitol. It holds up very well. But the real fun is remembering that Kevin Spacey and Peter Gallagher made a movie together before American Beauty -- back when they were little known. It's also another example of the Jack Lemmon/Kevin Spacey relationship.

Great Drama, Great Performances

[Michael_Elliott · 13 February 2010]

Murder of Mary Phagen, The (1988)

**** (out of 4)

Extremely powerful drama about the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagen in the factory she worked out in Atlanta, 1913. A determined prosecutor (Richard Jordan) pins the crime on a Jewish manager (Peter Gallagher) who claims his innocence. He's eventually found guilty due in large part to the testimony of a black janitor (Charles S. Dutton) who would normally seem like an unlikely person to get to testify. All of this eventually ends up in the lap of Gov. John Slaton (Jack Lemmon) who will be leaving office soon but must decide whether or not to overturn the conviction, which looks to have been made because the man was Jewish. This story was altered and told in 1937 masterful THEY WON'T FORGET with Claude Rains but this version here is just as good and just as powerful. The movie clocks in at four hours if you include the commercial breaks so it's a long movie but it never felt that way as I was so caught up with what was going on that the movie seemed to run just a few short minutes. The masterful performances make this a must see but so does the story, which is as powerful as an courtroom drama that I've seen. I wasn't overly familiar with the case so I was really hanging on the edge of my seat all through the original case, the Governors investigation as well as the aftermath that followed. I was really shocked to see what type of racism was being used and how much of the bitterness of Atlanta went back to the Civil War days. From what I've read, this film was pretty faithful to the actual events, which makes one scratch their head and question everything that was done. I won't ruin the ending but how everything plays out is just incredibly sad and pathetic.

This made-for-TV drama certainly has the drama down as the thing will leave you in suspense from the opening moments to the very final scenes. The performances are great from the veterans but we also get some fresh faces who would become quite famous over time. Kevin Spacey plays an alcoholic reporter who brings the case the media attention. William H. Mac has a small bit as a relative to the dead girl. Gallagher is extremely laid back in his role and delivers a marvelous performance as you can't help but feel sorry for him. The actor certainly digs deep and manages to bring out a lot of emotions without screaming or going over the top. Jordan is equally as great as the seedy prosecutor who might be hiding a few secrets of his own and Dutton nearly steals the film as the man with too many questions of his own to be a so-called witness. Robert Prosky and Kathryn Walker also turn in fine work. Then there's the legend Lemmon who turns in one of the best and most powerful performances of his career. I know that's saying a lot considering how many great roles he has had but he really delivers some strong emotion here and his final speech is extremely touching even if he doesn't say too much. The pain and anger in Lemmon's eyes is all we have to see to know what he feels. The way Lemmon invests himself into the role and the character's motives for trying to bring justice to this case was very believable and heartfelt.

A little overdramatic and a lot over long, but still...

[Goon-2 · 25 October 1999]

When a four hour miniseries is shown in its full length, it is not an attractive prospect of something to watch, but still, it was a dull Sunday afternoon and since I knew Dylan Baker quietly appreared in this film, I decided to give it a try anyhow. Amazingly, I was far more entertained and engrossed in the film than I expected, probably because of the good acting and production values. Being the network miniseries it was, this film is leaps and bounds above the usual, well, junk they have to offer. The script has a nice theatrical quality and whomever shot this film certainly knows what they are doing and picked beautiful locations to shoot it in. And the acting...for a NETWORK TV movie, this is some of the best acting you'll get from there, but what can be expected from such thespians as Jack Lemmon, the late Richard Jordan, Robert Prosky, Charles Dutton, W(illiam) H. Macy, Kevin Spacey, Peter Gallagher, and Dylan Baker, the latter four, who were still quite unknown back then. With these actors giving it all they've got, basically anything they are in would be watchable.

They don't make it absolutely perfect, though( This is after all, a movie about the murder of 14-year-old Mary Phagan and the big court case that followed with her alleged murderer(Gallagher, who gives one of his better performances, surprisingly)on trial. I think it's somewhat impossible for a TVM about a court case not to get a little bit too dramatic at times, and naturally this one does, particularly with Rebecca Miller, who plays the wife of the accused man, giving dramatic outbursts in the court room(I won't begrudge her, though. She actually does a nice job in her role)and the silly town folks, who sing hymns for some reason and have their children sing a ridiculous song about Mary Phagan dying. Like kids would even care about a court case. Nevertheless, it kept me watching it for almost its entire running time and I wasn't really bored, so I would say this one wasn't so bad.

Great film, disturbing content

[les6969 · 17 May 2010]

I cannot better the review of this TV film given earlier by 'Michael Elliott' but I want to add my thoughts on how this film left me feeling. It is sad that there are so many persons in the 'Deep South' who seem to be so full of hate that their sense of decency is so completely destroyed. The man was found guilty for many reasons but evidence was certainly not one of them. Racial prejudice, Social prejudice ( he was rich and from the north ), Desire for Political advancement, Desire for fame ( name in the paper etc ) or just plain hatred for no other reason than you are thick as two planks were among the reasons this man was murdered and the real murderer allowed to get away. OK he was found guilty by a jury but they were not shown all the evidence and they had listened to a convincing ambitious prosecutor who seems to have coached many of his so called witnesses and even made up evidence and ignored any that proved 'Franks' innocence. But what is more disturbing is the lynching of this man after it had started to become clear that someone else had done this. In a court today ( we hope ) this would never have happened. The guy who wrote the note and changed his story many times would be a prime suspect but in this case it appeared not to be so? I cannot understand why the hatred for 'Frank' was more than the south's usual hatred for blacks? Or was it just that having made a massive mistake their pride wouldn't allow them to back down? One thing that this film does omit is the fact that many of those baying for Franks blood were Ku Klux Klan members or sympathisers. This film left me feeling angry and bewildered at the ignorance and lack of intelligence, morals and decency of so many people and not that many years ago.

A socialogical study with vivid human elements

[suchick-1 · 17 February 2004]

I've seen this movie more than once, and am always primarily hit by what this dramatizes in not uncommon manner. Our rights as citizens entitles us to due process of the law, that we should be protected from mob mentality and any form of prejudice until proven in a court by a single point of accountability.

It happened in 1913 to Leo Frank. We, none of us, are immune to it. We may scream our innocence to the very ground upon which we stand, and our voices can be silenced. The socialogical phenomenon found in this movie only serves to make me be very sure, whether it tastes well on the palate or not, that my information is correct. Because I may, one day, like everyone in the US find ourselves in the same terrifying place. Who will speak for us then, when all others have silenced us?

This movie is more than entertainment. It is an factual illustration that carries an important message. I took many lessons away from this. The strong ensemble cast made it impossible not to. It continues to disturb me to this day, and it encourages me to be not to become complacent.