Directed by:
Delbert MannScreenplay:
E. Jack NeumanCinematography:
Joseph F. BirocComposer:
John CacavasCast:
Cheryl Ladd, Sam Elliott, Alexis Smith, John Ashton, Barry Corbin, Jim Haynie, George Wyner, Richard Bull, Bruce Gray, Chad Allen, Kenneth Tigar, Rance Howard, William Lucking, John McLiam (more)Plots(1)
A vicious psychopath murders your fiance, then rapes you. Do you call the cops, fight back, run like hell? Or do you bond with your tormentor? Events that plunge emotionally fragile Hope Masters (Cheryl Ladd) into a living nightmare become more monstrous when, frightened into believing the twisted, self-serving tale her attacker (Sam Elliott) weaves, she comes to view him as a hero. She trusts him, depends on him, lets him become part of her life. And Hope lies for him - a lie that leads to her arrest and trial for her fiance's murder. The fact-based A Death in California locks a heartbreakingly vulnerable woman, a manipulative killer and viewers in a bizarre dance of crime, punishment and death. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Joshua Harris
USA
Best movies:
Go Toward the Light (1988) (TV movie)
Just Between Friends (1986)
![Peter Fox](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/197/162197841_457c10.jpg)
Peter Fox
Best movies:
Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case (1980) (TV movie)
Airport '77 (1977)
Miracle Landing (1990) (TV movie)
![Fritz Weaver](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/755/163755470_a61fb3.jpg)
Fritz Weaver
USA
Best movies:
The X-Files – File 7: Tunguska (1996) (video compilation)
Fail-Safe (1964)
The Name of the Game (1968) (series)
![John Carter](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/408/161408847_4e1547.jpg)
John Carter
USA
Best movies:
Scarface (1983)
Roots: The Next Generations (1979) (series)
Badlands (1973)
![Don Dubbins](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/462/161462550_f006f5.jpg)
Don Dubbins
USA
Best movies:
From Here to Eternity (1953)
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
La Loi de la prairie (1956)
![John Hostetter](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/662/161662881_c2908d.jpg)
John Hostetter
USA
Best movies:
Katy Caterpillar (1984)
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
Michael Laskin
USA
Best movies:
Passion Fish (1992)
Just Go with It (2011)
Ally McBeal (1997) (series)
John Lasell
USA
Best movies:
The Organization (1971)
Topaz (1969)
Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came? (1970)
![Kerrie Keane](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/522/162522302_9c3d1d.jpg)
Kerrie Keane
Canada
Best movies:
Kung Fu: The Movie (1986) (TV movie)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991) (TV movie)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel (1987) (TV movie)
Robert Broyles
USA
Best movies:
Rencontres du troisième type (1977)
Inherit the Wind (1988) (TV movie)
Poltergeist (1982)
Janice Heiden
Best movies:
Bob Larkin
USA
Best movies:
Unfaithfully Yours (1984)
Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986)
Putney Swope (1969)
Granville Van Dusen
USA
Best movies:
Space: Above and Beyond (1995) (series)
Dynasty (1976) (TV movie)
La Rose et le chacal (1990) (TV movie)
Dale Reynolds
USA
Best movies:
Repo Man (1984)
The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000) (TV movie)
Pat Colbert
Best movies:
S.O.B. (1981)
Leonard Part 6 (1987)