The Interrogation of Michael Crowe (2002 TV Movie) User Reviews

To Be Falsely Accused is the Worst Thing....especially for a child.

[zensixties · 6/10 · 5 December 2002]

This film recently aired on Court TV and it's a grim true story of how California police used intimidation to attain a false confession from an innocent 14-year-old whose sister was killed. This family, the Crowes, was victimized twice, once by the killer, and then by the police who destroyed their lives. This film shows the interrogation filmed in very stark lighting where you can't even see the actors eyes. Ally Sheedy portrays the mother. A warning: this is a VERY depressing film, as the police brand Michael guilty based on the evidence that he likes to play Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. For anyone who's ever been falsely accused this is a must see. And it's interestingly relevant as the Central Park jogger case just released 5 innocent kids after 10 years in jail. How many innocent people sit in prison now falsely convicted? We'll never know the true statistics of our injustice system.

Eye opener

[barryalmo · 8/10 · 30 March 2016]

I just watched this and found it a very well made documentary drama ... There were Excellent performances by all characters in the movie .

I had never heard of this true story before but it is very intriguing portrayal of the heart wrenching tragedy that the California Crowe family endured back in the 1990,s... It displays the abusive investigative methods and powers of a shoddy police investigation that had no compassion or support for the victim and family ...

I didn't really see that it was shot in Ontario Canada until looking it up here ... Now I,LL have to see if it's coming on again to see if I recognize any landmarks ! I noticed as well that there was a more recent updated incident in the case around 2012 or 2013 ..? Going to go research that now too ... Basically I am here to say if you haven't seen this movie ..... Do it

true story TV movie

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 26 February 2017]

Cheryl (Ally Sheedy) and Stephen Crowe (Michael Riley) are loving parents to Michael, Shannon, and Stephanie in Escondido, California. One night, someone stabs Stephanie to death. The police is puzzled by the lack of evidence of a break-in and suspicion immediately falls on the family. Detective Baker interviews transient Richard Tuite for an unconnected issue and doesn't even consider him for the case. They isolate the surviving kids from their parents. With relentless interrogation and trickery, they gain false confessions from Michael, his friends Joshua Treadway and Aaron Houser.

Based on the real murder in 1998, this TV movie is at a lower level. It doesn't have the production value to be truly compelling or intense. It would be melodramatic if there isn't a real story behind it. The interrogations are tough to watch due to their inherit unbalanced dynamics. They also drag on for too long. In a way, the audience is stuck inside the room along with Michael and that has some benefits. It shows how a confession could be coerced. It's an uncomfortable watch. The legal wrangling after that in the second half works well enough.

Good Movie-Great Acting.

[FlamingTable · 5 December 2002]

This movie seriously has some of the best acting I've seen especially by the child-Michael Crowe character. In fact very good acting all around except by the mother character. Her acting skills in my opinion are overly dramatic at times. But aside from that, the movie is a good conversion from the real life events. It is a sad event in real life but the story is movie quality. Again, Good movie GREAT acting. I highly suggest this to all types of movie lovers.

angry

[dadslovechild · 6/10 · 3 February 2008]

this movie was based on a true story knowing that, it was really hard to watch it, knowing that this actually happened. My grandparents were watching it and i walked in half way through it, i didn't get to watch it very long. the story line and everything was awesome but i had to walk away before i broke the television. i mean really....this actually happened and its awful....if it wasn't a true story and we knew that stuff like this didn't really happen it would have been all the more wonderful but like i said it is true and did happen and it happens everyday in one way or another.........so in my conclusion it was great well the part i watched but make sure there isn't anything around that would break your TV if you throw it hard enough, when you're watching it!!!

Truly Scary Stuff

[sddavis63 · 9/10 · 18 April 2003]

Don't misunderstand my title. This isn't a horror movie - at least not in the sense of genre. But it is a truly frightening true story about the abuse of police power.

Basically, the story is quite simple. 12 year old Stephanie Crowe is brutally murdered in her own home in Escondido, California while her family sleeps. Without any real evidence, the police decide that her 14 year old brother Michael must be guilty, they ignore evidence pointing to another suspect and they coerce a confession from him after two days of non-stop questioning, filled with lies about what they supposedly "know," threats if he won't confess and promises of help if he will. Young Michael then becomes the object of a relentless prosecution by the District Attorney, who finally admits that there is no direct evidence but won't give up the case, instead dismissing it "without prejudice," thus leaving possible future prosecution hanging over Michael's head, and leaving the viewer wondering what's going to happen to this boy, until the final decision is revealed at the end.

This is truly an excellent, gripping movie. It takes a bit of getting into in the first few minutes, but once you're into it you're definitely hooked. Superb performances come from Ally Sheedy and Michael Riley as Michael's parents and - I'll use the phrase again - there's a positively frightening performance from John Bourgeois as Detective Claytor. Not to be overlooked is young Mark Rendall's performance as Michael. He brilliantly portrayed the fear and hopelessness this young boy must have felt. At times I thought he came across as a bit too mature in his portrayal, but, then again, maybe that was Michael.

This isn't a particularly well known movie, but everyone should see it.

9/10.

Mark Rendall's Performance

[terryol · 10/10 · 12 January 2007]

This is an outstanding performance with a full range of emotion and portrayal of a teen boy, from slightly surly to loving, from confusion through desperation, to damaged, toward recovery. It's all there from the opening scene through to almost the end. The scenes of the interrogation itself are among the most harrowing, and Mark is excellent. Make-up did good work here to show the physical toll, on his face. His body language was very good in these scenes. Later, the anguish of his experience is captured perfectly in the scene with his mother when she wants him to go to the video store with her.

This is a good little movie (congratulations Court TV) with strong performances by all of the cast, including the rather creepy portrayal of the detectives getting their way in the interviews.

But for me, Mark's work was splendid.

stunning!!! Especially for a T.V. Movie.

[hjc101189 · 5/10 · 5 December 2002]

This movie was absolutely stunning. I was shocked at how well it was done. Although Michael Riley's performance as Stephen Crow was a little dull, the rest of it was fabulous. Mark Rendall, who played Michael Crow, was unbelievable. He left me in tears. His performance was superb. And Ally Sheedy, who played Cheryl Crow, was excellant, as usual. The real murder took place VERY close to my home, and the accuracy was unbelievable. This was the one of the most accurate murder cases I've ever seen. Overall, I give this movie 9/10.

WOW!!!

[iluvriverp · 10/10 · 14 December 2002]

very, very moving movie. kudos to court-tv. you guys did an awesome job. i felt the full range of emotions as i watched. and really - isnt that the definition of a truly great movie??

there were a couple of FIRST's for me tonight. it was the FIRST time i watched "The Interrogation of Michael Crowe. this is the FIRST time i have ever posted a comment on imdb. and after rating over 300 different films over the past one and a half years or so, i give this movies my FIRST 10/10. young Mark Rendell was simply stunning....

After School Special Type Movie, Very Biased Viewpoint

[simply1520 · 4/10 · 9 October 2011]

It's interesting how many people with only a media's perspective of an incident can be so sure of how an event actually occurred. This movie's presentation is based on taking one side of a traumatic and complex case and virtually no presentation of the other side. As far as shock value, the movie does a good job. But anyone who took the time to look at all sides of this actual case would find the movie laughable and inaccurate. It mocks a reputable and highly regarded police department and discounts the actual work done in the case. What this case and movie did successfully prove is that the possibility of an innocent person going to jail and a guilty one being set free is entirely possible. Michael Crowe could very well be guilty and Richard Tuite could very well be innocent. The legal system isn't perfect and makes mistakes. There is reasonable doubt in both cases and Tuite never should have been convicted, even if he is guilty. The evidence against Crowe was more convincing than against Tuite. The investigators and department involved conducted a detailed investigation and took the reasonable paths available to them based on what they had at the time. Experts on both sides of the argument still can't agree on who actually committed the murder. Anyone truly interested in the facts of this horrible and very complicated case need to look much deeper than this one-sided viewpoint and dig into the actual prosecution's case against Crowe (and later Tuite) and see what they find. As is usually the situation, there is much more to all of this than meets the eye. The silly ideology that a bunch of rogue, corrupt cops and prosecutors conspired to put an innocent person in jail is just pure nonsense.

As if it's not bad enough losing your daughter ...

[Majikat76 · 26 April 2018]

Firstly what a great, emotional performance from the young man playing Michael.

I would love to say I'm shocked by this story, but having looked into so many myself, it isn't that surprising at all.

Certainly reminders of the Jon Benet Ramsay case, but with vast differences in wealth and how the family were treated immediately.

Scary and thought provoking!

Phenomenal story EVERY American needs to see!!!

[joiningjt · 9/10 · 11 October 2020]

Powerful performances from the whole cast and not just an entertaining movie but a educational one Shows how quick judgements and prejudice can effect people in so many ways. An absolute must for any parent I hope you'll never need the education why!! Do not miss the chance to see this gem!!

Very powerful

[Woodyanders · 10/10 · 27 June 2008]

The Crowe family are shocked and unsettled when 12-year-old daughter Stephanie (a brief, but memorable appearance by Anna Mary Wilson) gets brutally murdered in their home late at night. The police suspect Stephanie's surly, naive 14-year-old brother Michael (superbly played by Mark Rendall) of the killing and pressure him into making a confession. Michael's distraught mother Cheryl (an outstanding portrayal by Ally Sheedy) and sympathetic father Stephen (a fine Michael Riley) don't believe the charges and take legal action to get Michael released from jail. Director Don McBrearty, working from a gripping and thoughtful script by Alan Hines, relates this startling true story of injustice, the untrustworthiness of the police, and how the law can work against us instead of for us with commendable skill, taste and restraint. The first-rate acting from a uniformly sterling cast rates as another significant asset: Rendall is a revelation as the scared and confused Michael, Sheedy and Riley are equally terrific as his parents, plus there are sturdy supporting performances by Hannah Lochner as Michael's sweet younger sister Shannon, John Bourgeois as the severe, intimidating Detective Claytor, and Rosemary Dunsmore as shrewd defense attorney Dorothy Sorenson. Rhett Morita's slick cinematography and the moody, mournful score by Alex Pauk and Alexina Louie are both up to par as well. An exceptionally potent and poignant picture which packs a remarkably strong and lingering emotional punch.

Ally Sheedy is HORRIBLE actress

[The_Boxing_Cat · 4/10 · 18 April 2018]

I couldn't get beyond the extremely hideous performance of Sheedy- she I s so unbelievably bad ; I was embarrassed for her). The rest of the cast aren't too bad.

Unfortunately, this made for TV movie is based on fact. Police use entrapment methods all the time.

The lesson to take away from this is: NEVER talk to the police and never watch Ally Sheedy EVER!

real life

[cunning_cow · 10/10 · 26 March 2006]

its real frightening to know that this has actually happened. i was watching this film and love true movies, but this one grabs you and pulls you into the world of unknown. when i was watching this it was so emotional and the real life story just is great to watch and know what has happened. i enjoyed this film but the power of the police is a bit scary to know that they can do this. overall i enjoyed the film.this film is great to watch and is the best real life film i have seen so far. it was a great film about the real life case of this. the actors make the film what it is. when these things happen in real life it is a sad story. i have looked up the film on the internet and have become interested in this story.

Always will be a murder in my eyes.

[jimmievalles · 1/10 · 17 January 2020]

I grew up in Escondido and remember this kid and his friends well. He will always be the one that killed his little sister In my eyes. The house was burn down a few years after this all happened and now Michael is suing the Escondido Police Department when he should be in prison.

Definitely worth watching

[vgs1895 · 10/10 · 17 October 2011]

If you've read all the other reviews, you know what the story line is so I won't go into that.

What I will say is that the production and writing of the movie itself were excellent--I didn't realize CourtTV made such high quality productions. The family dialog seemed genuine---no sugar coating to make an idyllic family, and they seemed like 'regular' people. The actors were excellent--I was pleasantly surprised. I expected as much out of Ally Sheedy, but the boy who played Michael deserves all the kudos he has been earning. The supporting characters were also very good.

This movie should be viewed by aspiring law students and probably anyone who is interested in personal freedom!

Could do better

[Phil_Chester · 29 May 2018]

The main child actor is astonishingly good; a really heart-rending performance. A couple of the cops are good too. Great to see Ally Sheedy again. Unfortunately, the script is too on-the-nose and the lawyer is a really bad actress, so it brings it all down to a 3-star (out of 5) film. Overall, it's sort of entertaining in a "disease-of-the-week" TV movie kind of way, but there are many better films you could be watching...

Praise/Rant

[laurel47 · 10/10 · 21 November 2010]

Tremendous film. One of the best TV movies ever made. The main reason I liked the film is because it provided such a contrast to mainstream claptrap. It is shocking how complete the saturation is, with regards to major networks' hour-long cop dramas. Portrayals of virtuous authorities dominate the airwaves, while the the exact opposite saturate real life. Inept, lazy cops sit in coffee shops and shoot unarmed people in the back. Bullying detectives are obsessed with achieving psychological domination rather than getting to the truth. To be a good interrogator, values and scruples are detrimental characteristics. Misleading people is an art they are encouraged to perfect. It is a mistake to give these people so much power; it is a recipe for disaster. Given carte blanche to use whatever dirty tricks they can devise to achieve confessions, regardless of innocence or guilt, killers are allowed to roam while blindsided taxpayers get sent to anal rape prison for life. Myopic lawyers are far more interested in advancement and accumulation of wealth than they are in seeing justice meted out. I find it hard to believe that "Law & Order" and "CSI" are so popular while films like "The Interrogation of Michael Crowe" wallow in relative obscurity on Lifetime and Court TV. This film makes one wonder, why are the major networks so commonly lying to us? What possible benefit can be gained? The people that worked on "Michael Crowe" deserve a big pat on the back, and those that work on the mainstream lies should be ashamed of themselves. Finally, we average Americans absolutely must wake up to the fact that we are not being "Served and Protected" by our justice system. This film made me realize that I want to do something about injustice. I will start by attending peaceful protests and writing my representative in Washington. It has motivated me not to be lazy or scared; fixing things honestly can't be done without not only my input and participation, but yours as well!

False Confessions

[kvnnagel · 9/10 · 16 December 2022]

There's nothing worse than the pressure Cops put on weaker younger minds.. it's the worst case of bullying possible. COOS ALREADY HAVE A PR PROBLEM.. and stuff like this and what happened to Brendan Dassey Doesn't HELP THEM. Mental pressure is like WATERBOARDING. With enough time and water I can make an upstanding detective convinced he was a Farm Chicken. This was a disgusting overreached conclusion. The problem is that this happens OFTEN in the States. The Reid Technique has some flaws when it contained undeveloped minds and lots of interrogation time. NEVER FORGET- COOS ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND.. SAY NOTHING TO THEM EVER.. EVEN NOT GUILTY.

Not credible -- I hope

[martinm7703 · 5/10 · 14 March 2024]

If this is the way police in this country behave, it's time to move to Russia or China, or any other police state.

Does anyone seriously believe that parents would put up with this kind of abuse from police, subjecting themselves to unbelievably egregious invasion of privacy , without speaking to an attorney?

If this kind of incompetent, biased police behavior was ever experienced by my family, I would sue the police department and every other agency all the way up to the governor for so much money they would be sorry they eere ever born. Then I would sue every individual who ever thought about being involved with the case for all they were worth. Finally, I would seek Federal indictments against all of the police thugs involved, charging them with hate crimes.

Stupid Detectives Take Advantage of a Naive Teenager!

[BreanneB · 10/10 · 20 January 2007]

I loved this movie I thought it was great. I think Ally Sheedy was mildly convincing as the mother, but I would have preferred to see someone with more talent such as Michelle Pfeiffer play her. But overall the acting, costumes, script, production, directing, and photography were wonderful.

After an intruder named Richard Truits breaks into the Crowe's home and kills Stephanie the oldest daughter the police immediately jump to the conclusion that Micheal is guilty and shame him into a confession. He is later arrested and taken into custody for it. Later however, he gets a really good public defender who gets him and his accused friends acquitted of the crime.

Although, at first they did not know he was the killer, I'm surprised that they did not question the guy since he was found in their neighborhood that morning.

good depiction of actual events

[regina_vowna · 24 August 2003]

When twelve-year old honor student Stephanie Ann Crowe was in the process of being stabbed and murdered in her bedroom in Escondido, California in January 1998, she probably had no idea that this review would be written. Here's how it happened: Despite having numerous reports from Crowe family neighbors of a mysterious and suspicious transient in the vicinity on the night in question, the police assumed because of Stephanie's fourteen-year old brother Michael's claiming to have passed her room without seeing her dead body in the middle of the night and because of his participation in role-playing games that he must be the perpetrator. He and his surviving sister were put in protective custody and each day he was taken, unbeknownst to his parents, to the police station for questioning. The police used psychological brutality in many forms and finally broke Michael down, convincing him to confess. Two of his friends were eventually implicated as conspirators. Michael had to spend many stressful months in prison but was eventually exonerated. As of the time this review is being written, a lawsuit is being pursued and an adult suspect is being charged. This is an excellent depiction of police misconduct. Although the film doesn't mention it, the fact that Michael's mother, portrayed by Ally Sheedy of Brat Pack fame, is Cheryl Crowe might make many viewers think of Sheryl Crow (note the different spelling), the famous singer of such songs as "All I Wanna Do", "Every Day is a Winding Road", "If it Makes you Happy", "Leaving Las Vegas", "Soak up the Sun" and "Strong Enough". However, most viewers will be probably be more interested in the issues that the film raises. All in all, it's an excellent effort.

This is "fiction"! A bitter reflection...

[amandola-1 · 10/10 · 2 February 2003]

When I have the chance to see these kind of movies, I feel ridiculous about all our national fiction, here in Italy. We never, and I stress never, had and will have the courage to treat a story of "normal" abuse of justice, in a so complete, right, correct, wonderful way. The actors, starting from Mark, Ally, and all the others are simply incredible. But when you reach a so high level of quality, it's obvious the all factors converge to create a masterpiece: the story, the writing, the direction, and more generally "the eye". I can't think that in the same moment, here in Italy they make us sit through things like "Beautiful" , "The good Pope" (a pope almost Superman), "Don Matteo" (a priest almost Superman), "the big brother 3d series",(five for flounders locked in a house 24 hours under cameras... almost naked Supermen!) Real garbage, believe me. I'm , in a patriotic way, very worried... Are we Italians so idiot? Are we able only of our provincial taste? Is it possible we don't express here so strong writers, and actors, and directors as in "The interrogation of Michael Crowe?"? These cases happen here too. "The interrogation of Michael Crowe" is one of the best fictions I've never seen, and I usually "must" watch a lot of fiction, so I can say. I would really like to congratulate directly to everyone in the crew

Disturbing lack of cowardness by cops

[mastoforoff · 29 June 2004]

Its pretty sad when stuff like this happens, unfortunately it happens more often than one might think, and whats even sadder is in this day and age, more than 10 years after DNA has been recognized in courts as a perfect match, that some people still believe that innocent people are guilty, even when their DNA can prove they are beyond any reasonable doubt innocent. People will still be looking at this kid that know him and say, "Oh he murdered his sister" , I know this for a fact, a person in a town not far from where I live spent over 10 years in jail for a murder he did not commit, it wasn't until DNA could be used in Canadian courts that he could completely prove his innocence, he was also browbeaten into a confession, but even with the DNA linking the murder to someone else (who has yet to be found) people in his community think the guy is still guilty. His biggest crime as far as I can tell is that he was a bit weird. And the fact he had actually met the girl he was accused of killing a couple of times, the place he lives in is about 5000 people at most, probably less at the time of the girl disappearing. I live in a town of about 15,000 and have met thousands of people in the town I live in over my lifetime, so if one of them gets murdered, am I gonna be on a suspect list?