Jackyfan
This movie was supposed to be one of Jaclyn Smith's first major feature films of the 1980's. But due to some problems, it was largely unreleased in theaters and ended up on television. Good for us movie buffs because this film is probably one of the best that I have seen and one of the most satisfying thrillers in years. It doesn't have the same style of the slasher/screamer films of 1980's but what it offers is a lot better. The last half hour is a real nail biter especially the shower scene. Robert Mitchum's performance is top notch and actress Jaclyn Smith is terrific. I think this is one of her best performances. Her on-screen chemistry with actor James Franciscus is just great. Miss Smith also appears in a beautiful backless gown that will knock your eyes out. That, too, is entertainment.
dbdumonteil
This is a very strange movie indeed.Its two male stars (Connors and Franciscus) disappear after five or ten minutes of presence.It's actually Jaclyn Smith and supporting actors .That she and Connors were primarily TV icons and a Colomboesque swagger by Mitchum in the first part increase the feeling of watching a MTV movie.Do not get me wrong:the movie is good entertainment and it's a wonder the poor Smith is not driven mad by all these horrible things around her;her situation (the-dead-may-or-may-not-be-dead) is not unlike Vera Clouzot's one in her husband's classic "les Diaboliques " (currently in the IMDb top 250);but Ted Post who made the first sequel of "planet of the apes" starring Franciscus and the first movie about the Vietnam war (Go tell the Spartians)is an efficient director ,even if his movie is a bit slow-moving.The story is far -fetched to a fault,but I guess it's the rule of the game in this kind of thriller.
Benjamin Wolfe
From some of the first terrifying television, I got to view, since I didn't get to enjoy many shows like "Night Gallery" hosted by awesome Rod Serling and others because I was too young.Until the latter nineteen seventies. This is when I started in on 'thrillers'. But as this was for me a differing effect, for one thing I was in 'crush-ville' for Mrs. Smith and so that complicated my feelings for the movie and drew me further in. I know that some have said that they think of the acting, with these characters as not up to par. Some have said that, I think that this was pretty to view and get into, as stories go.I watched her go through a hard time and watched it grow increasingly more twisted. She had me on the edge of my seat and miles away from my comfort zone. But the movie was a semi-complicated and involved plot for the average viewer, I think. Plus, with betrayal from Lt. Donner (Michael Anderson Jr.), who is supposed to be at least an honorable man and naturally you would believe justice would come from his involvement. I remember very well the part with which he deceives her, right in front of her with a telephone call. He 'acts' as if he is calling to help Jacklyn's character and there is no-one on the other end of the line, unbeknown to her. I remember the hair on my neck standing up as he was just finishing with the phone call, as he hung up with that 'mono-tone' 'killer' look in his eyes.Very chilling for me, considering that it was over twenty five years ago. And sometimes things (Movies) don't always age well. Some, age very well, but not all of course.I am looking for this movie on DVD. I recommend it, but watch it late or in the dark without distraction from front to back. It does deliver classic actor/actress suspense and hair raising excitement. Not everyone may agree, but judge for yourself.(****)
moonspinner55
Filmed in Arizona by a mostly-foreign crew, "Nightkill" is one of the clumsiest crime dramas I have ever seen. Robert Mitchum (in a cowboy hat) trails recently-widowed Jaclyn Smith around, hoping to figure out if she had a hand in her husband's death. Jaclyn's wardrobe is of the Dale Evans variety and her dog is named "Cowboy"...seems as if somebody sure bought into the American myth that all westerners talk and dress like descendants of John Wayne! Screenplay by Joan Andre and John Case may have worked better if approached as parody; this mystery thriller just plays tame, with director Ted Post asleep at the controls. Don't be drawn in by the video box art of Jaclyn screaming while taking a shower. She does indeed take a shower in this film, but it is not revealing (nor does it further the murky plot one iota). NO STARS from ****
AD
