In Broad Daylight (1991 TV Movie) User Reviews

If You live by the sword, you die by the sword

[Sylviastel · 8/10 · 13 May 2007]

The names were changed but it's based on a true story of the events in Skidmore, Missouri and the real villain was Ken McElroy who was very much like John Gotti without the class, style, and grace of his demeanor. He had fathered children with two women who lived together. No, not because he's a polygamist. In this movie, the McElroy character is played chillingly by Brian Dennehy who is one of America's finest actors on stage, film or television.

Oscar Winner Marcia Gay Harden plays one of his wives with a depth that is easily overlooked. Oscar Winner Cloris Leachman plays one of the man's many victims. No matter what this character did, the law and justice system failed to protect this small Missouri town so they took justice into their own hands. As Leachman's character states at the end "If you live by the sword, you die the sword." The book entitled In Broad Daylight is equally riveting but adds another level of understanding of how a man like this can exist in the first place.

Menacing Dennehy

[graabein · 6/10 · 14 February 2004]

This (TV) movie is sort of like a western - except the story told actually happened and it happened in the 1980s, not the 1880s.

One man terrorizes a small town. The townspeople are too intimidated to do much about it, except an old WWII veteran who finally manages to inspire some resolve into the townspeople.

Good performances all around by the cast, but the shining star of this movie is Brian Dennehy. His menacing portrayal of evil is one of his best performances ever.

The plot is the same as the real incident!

[gunrunner · 8/10 · 20 December 2004]

Chris thought the plot was weak, I'm a Law Enforcement Officer in Northwest Missouri, the story is all too real! Here is a short review from the book of the same title. This movie/book was based on a REAL crime that occurred in Skidmore, MO in 1981.

From Publishers Weekly - Ken Rex McElroy terrorized the residents of several counties in northwestern Missouri for a score of years. He raped young girls and brutalized them after they went to live with him or even married him; he shot at least two men; he stole cattle and hogs, and burned down the houses of some who interfered with his criminal activities. Thanks to the expert efforts of his lawyer and the pro-defendant bias of state laws, he served no more than a few days in jail, the author shows. In 1981, sentenced for the shooting of a popular grocer and free on bail, he was killed by the men of Skidmore, the center of his felonies; they closed ranks against all attempts to identify those who had pulled the triggers. Written by a first-time author, this is an engrossing, credible examination of the way vigilante action can take over when the law appears to be powerless.

BOMC and QPBC alternates. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

CREEPY TRUE STORY

[huckfunn · 17 June 2004]

I want to chime in on this film because it really scared the H-E-Double Bamboo Sticks out of me, motivated me to read the Playboy article about the incident, and then the well-researched book by the same name.

Brian Dennehy is perfectly cast as the villain -- although the real guy was even creepier, more violent and sociopathic. The film doesn't give any real back story, which is a possible but negligible shortcoming. The book, however, does a good job of illustrating how this poor country boy developed into the alienated monster he was, and how he fit (or rather didn't fit) into the community.

This story could have taken place in any small town. I happen to be from Missouri, and every summer I pass through and visit similar one-light towns in the Ozarks. (Just so we're straight on the geography, Skidmore, where this took place, is NOT near Springfield, per one reviewer, but in the northwest corner of the state.) The impression I always get is that because the townsfolk know each other, they are careful to get along with their neighbors. IBD is about how to deal with someone who has no intention of getting along with the neighbors.

I won't spoil the ending, but it is shocking, and a relief, when it comes, especially after the buildup of suspense and terror -- and it really does seem to render "justice." Love the line from the old farmer: "I didn't see nothing. And if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

This is an atmospheric TV movie that works as quality cinema.

In Broad Daylight

[dukeakasmudge · 7/10 · 31 August 2016]

I 1st read the book In Broad Daylight when I was a kid (GREAT book) & after hearing there was a movie based on the book, I just had to see it.In my opinion, the movie was almost as good as the book was.If you liked the movie, pick up the book & if you liked the book, watch the movie.I say it a lot in my old Made For TV movie reviews, they don't make Made For TV movies like they use to & here's another.In Broad Daylight had my attention right from the start & had me on the edge of my seat till the very end.Brian Dennehy was absolutely evil.If I had a list of movie villains I LOVE to HATE, Brian Dennehy as Len Rowan would be 1 of them.I don't understand why In Broad Daylight & some other Made For TV movies as well were never released on DVD.If it ever is, I'd pick it up.I can't imagine everybody liking this movie but I think that most people that watch it will

A very good movie

[Sandra-55 · 10/10 · 21 July 2002]

I saw this movie on the TV a few years ago and can't imagine why it has never been on video or DVD. Its worthier than many other movies that are on either video and DVD. Brian Dennehy is one of my favorite movie stars and doesn't get enough credit for being the good actor he is. I thought "In Broad Daylight was one of his very best performances. He was so convincing as the bullying, intimidating and totally unsavory Len Rowan. When an actor can make you feel that he is really mean, then he is a good actor. Cloris Leachman was also very good in this movie as a store owner, threatened by Len Brian Dennehy. I wish it was on DVD, or even VHS would be fine. What a loss this is to video or DVD collectors.

Dennehy is Terrifying

[tompry · 8/10 · 27 December 2004]

Brian Dennehy paints a portrait of a truly sociopathic personality in this film. Plot twists are minimal simply because this is a true story. His characterization is all he has to work with, and Brian makes the most of it. He is by turns charming, threatening, homicidal and, all in all, just plain evil, a spoiled redneck who just can't imagine ever being called down for his activities.

Worse, he has intelligence to go with his warped mind.

We live in this character's part of the country and, believe me, people like this exist.

Not a great film, but the characterization will not only engross you, it'll probably scare the hell out of you.

Brian Denney brought this true story to life.

[Lawyerdude1989 · 10/10 · 15 December 2006]

I saw this movie some years ago. I also read the book. The man portrayed by Actor Brian Dennehy was Ken McElroy. The town is Skidmore, Missouri, population 200. This is an amazing story. The movie gives everybody different names to avoid lawsuits. McElroy lives a life of crime. He sired perhaps 6 children by several women. He stole pigs and cattle for a living. He shot two locals. The law failed dismally. He even escaped a traffic ticket by pointing a shotgun in the face of a copy. The cop did not complain. On July 10, 1981 the incompetent court continued/ postponed the case once again. McElroy was on trial for shooting a 70 year old man in the neck. He was out on a tiny bail. The farmers immediately held a meeting at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Hall. Within minutes McElroy came to town and went in the bar. This time he was without his gun. Within seconds, the farmers told him to go home. As soon as McElroy stepped in his fancy pickup truck several shots rang out. They killed him. Nobody was ever prosecuted for this assassination. The townsfolk held tight. McElroy's widown immediately reported the crime. She turned back and saw the assassin. She named him to the police. Nobody would corroborate her story.

My only fear is that some day some do gooder will re-open this case. Justice was served.

Incidentally, while the cops would let McElroy go even when he threatened them with murder and pointed a shotgun right in the face of the cop, these same cops would instead prosecute the farmers for speeding tickets.

The law in this town did not work.

People don't need police.

This story shows you why.

Good movie, and it happened 10 miles from me

[SpeechProf · 12 August 2004]

I live 10 miles away from where this event happened, and as soon as I moved here, I was told I had to read this book and see the movie. This is a pretty good adaptation of the non-fiction book it is based on of the same title. I encourage people to not only see this movie but to also read the book, as you get MUCH backstory on not only the main character (who's real name is Ken McElroy), but also on the community and the area.

Most aspects of the book are the same as the film, although there are some differences. The main one involves the town. Skidmore (Darby in the film) is a much poorer community than what is portrayed here. I do wonder how it was in the early 80's when this happened, but I doubt it was much different. I drove through after reading the book and seeing the movie to see the place where this happened, and if you blink you miss it.

The only thing I don't like is the newscaster at the end speaking out against vigilante justice. When you read this book and see what these people really went through, you can't help but feel sorry for them. And, just as an update, nobody still has been charged or prosecuted for this crime, and the small town of Skidmore still holds the secret to this day, although most authorities (and the entire town) know what actually happened.

Bully throws his weight around town

[helpless_dancer · 8/10 · 1 October 1999]

The town bully, a dangerous thug, runs roughshod over the entire town including the ineffective town marshal. Fear of this oaf and his cruel family allowed him to intimidate and injure several folks. Ultimately, these animals are dealt with by the only means they will ever understand...brute force. When dealing with trash like this man and his family, the decision to quell his activities should not be long in making.

This is DVD material

[big_country769 · 10/10 · 12 August 2007]

I wished this movie would come out on DVD. I was one of the vol. firefighters at one of the shoots they did when they burned the house down. There are a few others I hung out at by my house. The n I saw the movie. I couldn't believe how the greatness of all the actors. It gave the creeps of my small town and the others surrounding me. If you look in the scene, when they are being followed by the law. You can see me and a friend of mine walking in the back ground behind the cruiser. I guess it fit with the scene of two carious people seeing who the law is following. If not. I guess they would have said cut and chased us out of the way.

Brian Dennehy is big and BAADDD....

[strusins · 10/10 · 20 October 1999]

I saw this movie on TV when it came out. And Brian Dennehy is just 'straight up' SCARY in this one. He plays a scary guy in some other movies, notably "To Catch a Killer"... and I'd hate to compare the two roles, because I'd hate to meet either character in the body of Mr. Dennehy.

I remember it was a realistic, and sad [being a true] story. But most of all... I remember Brian Dennehy scared me when I saw it. I'd recommend this movie to anyone.

A creepy drama closely based on the true story

[CsharpOrBeFlat · 10 September 2004]

I have to watch this movie once in a while just to send chills down my spine. Naturally, the names were changed to protect the innocent. This movie is based on a true story and the movie closely represents the actual events. I knew the man who wrote the original story. We watched original TV showing together and I was able to get his take on the whole thing. This story was presented almost exactly the way it happened. We both thought that Mr. Dennehy's portrayal of Len was excellent. The killing at the end of the movie was extremely accurate and was witnessed by the fellow sitting next to me. I read the original manuscript. This movie may not have all the typical Hollywood bells and whistles, but it correctly represents what really happened. (Great work Chris and congratulations again!) We rarely get to see movies that tell the original story so well...

Dennehy is AWESOME!

[blondi_sb · 9/10 · 1 February 2005]

This is one of my all time favorite movies! And my copy of the book is dog-eared! I just wish at least ONE of the networks (cable or otherwise) would re-run it so that my husband could watch it and see what I am raving about! Anyone who says the plot is "dismal", has obviously never read the book. And I agree with another comment made: how can something that is TRUE be DISMAL??!! Just because it is set in small town America instead of the glitz and glamor of Hollywood or Las Vegas doesn't take away from the story....in fact, in my opinion, it makes it more believable, because it is about NORMAL, every day people. It is so popular with the public, in fact, that every time I find it on Ebay, the bids get so expensive (once $224.00!!), that I can't afford it!! Too bad the studio doesn't take notice of it's cult following and re-release it......;)

In Broad Daylight

[ralvey55 · 10/10 · 6 November 2006]

In Broad Daylight certainly was a suspenseful movie. I saw it once, and want to see it again. Brian Denehy did a dead on interpretation of Ken McElroy, which was the main character's actual name. He looked like him, walked like him, had the same mannerisms, and speech patterns. I read the book, and Brian Denehy made him seem like he was actually that person. Cloris Leachman also did a superb job at portraying the store clerk that McElroy intimidated. I also wish the movie was on VHS or DVD. I would definitely purchase it.

This movie will keep you spellbound. One of Brian Denehy's best performances.

Horrific Story of a Rural Terrorist

[dv727 · 9/10 · 4 February 2021]

I first watched this a long time ago and had a chance to see it again (thank you, YouTube!). In between, I have had the chance to read more (still have some to go) and view a lot of old footage from news reports and other sources (watch "No One Saw A Thing" if you get a chance, but take it with a grain or two of salt.) Like many of the other reviews, I think this movie does a fairly good job of portraying the events (as best cramming years into a movie can.) It also reminded me of how wonderful an actor Brian Dennehy was and how much he should be appreciated and missed. If I have any criticism (and I hesitate to use the word), it would be of Marcia Gay Harden's performance. I hesitate, because she was great in her effort. If one has had occasion to see any video of the "real" spouse (Trena McElroy), one would see she was even lower, in my opinion, than portrayed. There are some who see the actions of the townspeople (or whomever) as no better than those of McElroy and his ilk. I disagree, and I'll leave it at that.

True Life is not a shallow plot

[crashdavis79 · 14 December 2004]

Well I would like to comment on Chris's comment about this movie was dismal and the plot was shallow. How can something that happened in REAL life be shallow and dismal. How do I know this actually happened? I used to live in a small town next to the town in which this event took place and friends of my family and some of my family had run-ins with the guy in which Brian Dennehy portrayed. As for the movie I thought it was very good. Brian Dennehy played the part perfectly and I also thought the plot told a pretty accurate story of how this family tormented the people in that small community . And to this day those people have not said a word about what happened that day. Now that is justice

Complimentary as to the true facts of the story

[captainswizzle · 8/10 · 2 November 2003]

As this was based on a true incident in a small Missouri town N/E of Springfield, MO, I found it to be 98% factual. The actual actions of the "town bully" were in fact more shocking than the movie portrayed. "Rex's" (the real name of the bully) daughters still live in the area but do not speak of their father. If you can picture the retired football player Larry Czonka playing the part you'd be right on!

Superb

[tbyrne369 · 10/10 · 19 December 2019]

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!!

Fascinating true crime!

[jen48084-720-261171 · 9/10 · 7 October 2019]

I agree that it's a shame this isn't on DVD or even VHS. But the good news is it's readily available on YouTube at no cost. I suggest anyone with an interest in true crime check out this little gem. I agree with all the reviews citing Brian Dennehy's amazing performance! Of equal interest to cinephiles will be the early performances of Chris Cooper and Marcia Gay Harden. Sensational!

Surprisingly enjoyable.

[Kektokio · 21 July 2000]

I didn't expect much from this film, as most late night TV movies are pretty bad. But I somewhat enjoyed this film. Sure I wouldn't bother watching it again, but I'm glad I saw it once. Brian Dennehy was very convincing. And let me just say that anyone who stalks and attempts to kill elderly people over a piece of candy must have issues.

The Mc Elroy Story...

[dennis-giles67 · 8/10 · 6 August 2020]

I saw this ,and read the book. Brian Dennehy (Rip) played this displicable man to a T. As good a performance as when he was cast as John W Gacy in "To Catch A Killer". Both of these are well acted tv dramas,but make no mistake..these movies are not "Dismal" . Do yourself a favour watch the documentary this is based on first,then watch "In Broad Daylight ". You will not be disappointed. Nuff said.

A chilling yet highly credible account of the fallibility of Law

[anne-bolger · 9/10 · 27 December 2005]

The thing that disturbs me most about this man's reign of terror is that it could happen almost anywhere - any place where laws are rendered useless by a combination of slick lawyers, intimidated witnesses and 'jobs-worth' officials. Despite our hopes and belief that we are advancing in all areas of society, this film serves to remind us that over-complicating the system has the ability to set us back to square one.

Prior to the set-up of recognised Police Forces in the UK (apart from the efforts of feeble wardens) criminal activity was sometimes countered by the raising of a 'Hue & Cry' - the local community rallying around with anything they had to hand to give chase and apprehend the culprit(s) - for everything from sheep stealing to murder. That is exactly what these people did in order to protect themselves AND RIGHTLY SO - there is no better precedent than something that has existed since the dawn of civilisation. If we have a system that is rendered next to useless by having the law-enforcers handcuffed, what else can we expect? This PC world we live in has gone berserk - for every pro-victim advocate that exists there seem to be ten on the side of the culprit.

The film was excellent and deserves to be on DVD - whether it was low budget or not. The slow-burn, laid back yet chilling portrayal by Brian Dennehey (whose work I have always admired) was simply the cherry on top - everyone should see this film at least once and I totally agree with the comments made by both blondie and gunrunner.

The latter contributor's comments loosely reminded me of a rowdy local family who were eventually 'run out of town' by the strict application of laws, however trivial. Three police officers (often assisted by more) were assigned to shadow them around the clock and, after a while, the sheer cost of their misdemeanours in fines and other inconveniences forced this one-family crime wave to move. I am not saying this would have worked in the case of ROWAN in IBD but it might have spared the community from taking the role of Judge, Jury & Executioner upon themselves, the trauma and burden of which they have had to carry ever since.

The demise of a Robber Baron

[manuel-pestalozzi · 10/10 · 2 February 2006]

This is a truly great movie. I picked it off a shelf as a videotape at a clearance sale here in Switzerland, primarily because I knew Cloris Leachman and Marcia Gay Harden to be top American actresses. I was positively surprised and kept the tape.

The story, apparently based on true events, is very archaic in character. It has the feel of the Middle Ages, in fact. A farmer with a large, chaotic family terrorises everybody around him, steals pigs from other farmers etc. The intimidated citizens know no other way out than to kill him in a surreptitious and cowardly way and then to drive away his clan, gutting his castle, er, farm, making a vow of silence as to the identity of the murderer. Only, this is supposed to happen in the second half of the twentieth century, in a country that is known for its respect for freedom. But law and order, on which that freedom is based, is not given the slightest chance here.

In Broad Daylight appears to be a biased account of what happened somewhere in the Midwest of the USA. The script does not take an easy way out by taking sides but tries to do justice to everyone concerned with surprising subtlety. This could easily be Brian Dennehy's best ever performance. He plays the farmer turned robber baron with a lot of feeling. The man is a terrible bully, a menace and despicable, yes, but he also shows a sense of responsibility, however twisted and perverted, toward his family and love for his numerous offspring. Cloris Leachman proves herself to be a very versatile actress here. She plays a store owner who is the principal aim of the robber baron's wrath and shows much common sense and, when that does not help, bravery, although she is as scared as the others. She tries to bring the man to justice, but the system keeps preventing that by way of a shrewd defense lawyer. So the story builds up to a climax with a bang.

Two scenes stand out and are really excellent. The first is the incident which triggers the «war» between the robber baron and the townsfolk. Some members of the farmer's family misbehave in the Candy Store and are mildly reprimanded. At once the situation escalates for no good reason beyond any proportion and it immediately becomes clear, there's no way back. The second scene is of course the murder of the farmer at the steering wheel of his car on a Main Street parking lot – in broad daylight. As the body of the shot man slumps forward, the car's engine revs up and starts shaking and emitting smoke. This goes on for about 20 seconds while all around the people stand silently by. It's ghostly and realistic at the same time.

Just is Served in this Broad Daylight ***1/2

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 18 July 2012]

This film is a very good one as it shows the various nuances in our justice system that allows a bully, played wonderfully by Brian Dennehy, to circumvent the system and literally get away with harassment for years in Darby, Missouri. No, you're not watching "High Noon," or "Gunfight at the OK Corral," You're actually seeing a town of the 1980s victimized by a man and his family. The word vigilante shall become quite important by film's end.

There is a wonderful supporting cast led by Marcia Gay-Harden, one of Dennehy's several wives. The guy actually lives in concubine-like style. Cloris Leachman plays the wife of a shooting victim, shot by Dennehy to teach the old man a lesson. He literally goes berserk when a misunderstanding develops about his young son being accused of taking candy from Leachman and her husband's store.

Dennehy thumbs his nose at the legal system while vowing never to be imprisoned. This is really a fascinating look at how our criminal justice system fails us and how becoming a vigilante starts when we have no alternative. We see the economic, social and mental affects his harassment has on a beaten down town.