Synopsis
They took her lover. They took her dignity... and every dream takes her back.
A woman struggles with the death of her lover. He was killed by South-American fascists.
Down Came a Blackbird
Cast
Releases by Date
Theatrical
-
USA
Releases by Country
USA
22 Oct 1995
- Theatrical
Popular reviews
More-
A journalist (Laura Dern) still struggling with the murder of her partner (Jay O. Sanders) while on assignment in Central America, becomes a patient at a clinic for recovering torture victims, to write a piece on its founder (Vanessa Redgrave). Not divulging her career to the other patients, the journalist also seems to be in denial about her own abuses, which the subject of her piece is aware of. Admitted for treatment at the same time is a professor (Raul Julia) who seems to be on the run from a death squad, and bonds with the reporter on her journey.
Noted producer Jonathan Sanger (The Elephant Man) directs this Showtime TV movie which deals with some very tough subject matter…
-
I'm currently watching my way through Vanessa Redgrave's works and once in a while I meet this pearl I never heard of before. Down came a Blackbird is, like Polanski's Death and the Maiden and Costa-Gavras' Missing, a thematic film in which the story is part of a greater story: human rights and terror in South- and Middle America. The dark shadow of the oppressed and tortured victims of fascist dictatorships hangs over this multi-layered film as an almost palpable threat. Journalist Helen McNulty and her boyfriend Jan Talbek are imprisoned in South America - she survives, What follows is a more than decent search for truth, closure and seeking the opportunity to grieve. Excellent acting from the leads.
-
Significantly better than most TV movies from the era, it's really difficult seeing Raul Julia so visibly ill on screen but the fact that he managed to pull of a performance as amazing as this one despite despite the circumstances was a true testament to his talent.
-
couple interesting "oh, yeah, I can see this guy also directed an episode of Twin Peaks" moments but boy, howdy, folks... we're deep in the snooze for a lot of it.
rip raul julia - this cannot be overstated
-
Uh, this movie was good?
It’s probably lost to time now but I remember TV movies (especially on cable) back in the day had a rather high production value and drew big stars.
This was no exception, it’s Showtime after all. It’s a bit of a hard watch in general because of the subject matter, but definitely worth your time. And the performances were great. I mean, Laura Dern!!! Vanessa Redgrave!!! And Raul Julia!!! In what would be his last film, really put in the work.
-
Interesante relato sobre el trauma y lo necesario que es enfrentarlo para poder salir adelante, además de tener al abuso de poder por parte de las autoridades (especialmente las dictaduras en Latinoamérica) como trasfondo. Lástima que los personajes, salvo los de Laura Dern y Raúl Juliá, nunca llegan a profundizarse y el terce acto se siente hecho a las apuradas, con un final con sabor a poco.
-
