SWORN TO SILENCE

US, 1987, 94 minutes, Colour.
Peter Coyote, Liam Neeson, Dabney Coleman.
Directed by Peter Levin.

Sworn to Silence is an interesting telemovie, focusing on legal issues, justice and morality. Peter Coyote is a lawyer who is asked to defend a criminal who confesses to brutal murders. (The killer is played effectively by Liam Neeson - The Mission, Lamb, Suspect). Dabney Coleman is a burnt-out lawyer with an alcohol problem who helps Coyote. Coleman won an Emmy for his performance.

The film shows the dilemma of the lawyer, his own principles, his devotion to law and the constitution. The family are persecuted by public opinion in the town.

Audiences will identify with both sides of the argument; the emotional reaction to the brutal killer and the crueller and more objective look at the upholding of the freedom of the law.

1. Interesting telemovie? Justice, law, morality, emotions?

2. Pennsylvania settings, the small town, home life, the courts? The environment, situations? Audiences able to identify? Atmospheric score?

3. The title, reference to the theme, the oath of office? Personal honour? The constitution and the law? The protection of justice for all?

4. Audiences attitudes towards the law, confidentiality? The seal of silence? the nature of justice? The effect of such burdens on lawyers

5. The title and its implications, the effects on society, on individuals?

6. Vincent Cauley: the opening, the ugly brutality of the murder with the saw, the terror of the girl, the horror? His being caught, treatment, the police? His wife and her grief? Sam's visit to him in prison, his plea? The truth? Sanity or insanity? Attitudes towards his victims? The reaction of the crowds? The finding of the bodies? His story of what he did? The official plea? in court, his performance in court, the ghosts etc? Overplaying his hand? His being condemned? The rite of appeal? His sad wife? Audience sympathy for him or not?

7. Sam, his legal skills, his reputation in the town? His friends? Victor and the hold over him, his retainer? The exercises of power? Going to see Vincent because of the legal issues? The judge, giving him the case, his arguments against the judge? Public opinion? His love for his wife? His daughters and their having to cope? Friendship with Martin?

8. The preparation for the case, the talks with Vincent, confidentiality, going with Martin, persuading him to help him? The visit to the graves, the ugliness of the situation, feeling sick, the caves, bodies, photos? Going to the DA and trying to do a deal? Her anger and threats? His drinking? Talking with Martin, talking with his wife and her emotional reaction? Wanting to sit quietly? The effect of taking on the case, on his health, stress? The contrast with Martin and the challenge and changing for the better?

9. The predicament of Sam's wife, her anguish, the daughters, the car being painted, his being accosted in the street, the television interviewer's reactions, the police guards and their lack of sympathy? His office being burnt?

10. His behaviour in the court, the judge, reacting to Vincent, the cross examination? The importance of the press conference and his explanation about his silence? The principles of the law and constitution? Peoples reaction? Condemnatory, the D A and her condemnation? His involving her and her silence? Bricks being thrown at him?

11. Victor, his place in the town? His threats about his business? Calling the meeting? Going to the meeting? Martin and the discussions, the drink? His wife and daughter after leaving home, their going to the meeting? The speeches and the jeers? His explanation of his reasons, his explanations of the law, acclaim, hostility?

12. The father of the murdered girl, his grief, not knowing whether she was dead, telephoning his house, the visit to the office, his plea, watching in court, satisfaction at the verdict, listening to Sam at the meeting and supporting him?

13. The nature of justice and the protection of all parties in a case? Evil and its horror - the victims, the wife, the criminal? The irony of Sam having to take on the appeal? The rightness of his stand? The cost? How well did the film dramatise its social issues?