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."

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.

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.

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.