source: Terror Among Us

Moviecut—Terror Among Us

Terror Among Us

I remember it well. I was watching made for TV Movies since 1971 and saw many of them over the next 10 years by the time this movie aired. Before the movie started there was a Warning Message To Viewers about the Movie's Violent Content. I already knew Ted Shackleford from Another World and Knots Landing and his performance in this movie surprised me and many other viewers. At the time this was the most Violent and Disturbing Made For TV Movie I had ever seen and I still can remember it after 40 years.

When I first saw who was to play the rapist in the movie I thought that I would never be able to find it believable. But Ted Shackleford's transition from Gary Ewing on Knot's Landing to Delbert Ramsey was quite effective. He made you forget that he played the always likable Gary with an endless soft spot for Val. And did a exceptional job at making Delbert Ramsey a monster you hated. Now, with the technology employed in making movies today, there are probably better gripping, suspense movies. But for it's time it had a huge impact on me. The acting was great. You felt rage at the villain and extreme compassion for the victims, one in particular. I was shocked at how well it made the viewer run the emotional gamut - as a good thriller should. I definitely recommend it as long as you keep in mind the era in which it was made.