Search - The Burning Bed on DVD

Still relevant, the human faces of domestic violence

C. MacNeil | Fort Wayne, IN USA | 02/24/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The prelude to this 1984 NBC-TV movie was a massive media blitz about Farrah Fawcett's chances of proving her acting worthiness. It was, and still is to some extent, unfortunate because it detracted from the purpose of the film: to bring the then-generally hushed family secret of domestic violence into the light and elevate it as a matter of public policy. Fawcett, of course, proved beyond anyone's doubt her acting prowess, and watching her as a deglamorized, demoralized and traumatized physically battered wife was a shock of extremities at the time. Before "Burning Bed," who saw Fawcett as anything other than a giggly sex kitten? The film opens with a clearly beaten Fawcett nearly roboticized in the mechanics of carrying a container of gas into the bedroom where her drunken husband has passed out after what we learn later is his latest (and last) in countless wife-beating episodes that lasted for nearly a decade. It is no consolation watching Fawcett's character of Francine douse her husband and then ignite him and his bed with a match. What follows is the obligatory murder trial where, in mostly flashbacks by way of interviews with her court-appointed attorney (unflappably played by Richard Masur) and trial testimony, Francine and corraborating witnesses recount the years of spousal violence. Through it all, at a time when domestic violence shamefully was pretty much still in the closet as one of those family embarrassments that no one discussed, director Robert Greenwald hits us with a painful and disarming portrait of the results of family violence. But Fawcett is shattering! She manages to project her character not only as someone to be pitied and as someone truly desperate but who, somewhere in all the demoralizing inflicted over 10 years, finds some courage within to end her vicitimization, even at the risk of a death sentence. And Fawcett's acting when her character takes the stand in her own defense is nothing less than riveting! Fawcett's truly beaten-down character makes it very easy to hope the worst for her victimizer (Paul Le Mat as the bullying wife-beater) and his nauseating supportive mother (character actress Grace Zabriskie in a magnificent portrayal). In the wake of "Burning Bed," Fawcett herself appeared in public service announcements empowering battered women not to endure anymore, and the subject of domestic violence gained a status in the national diaglogue that it hadn't before. The film's message is still relevent and important today, unfortunately. But now, unlike the days when the real Francine faced her legal judgement, victims have more choices than the only one open to Francine. If for no other reason, though, Fawcett's performance is a must-see, and she'll numb you. It remains perhaps her greatest acting achievement!"

Farrah's Best!

K. Lewis | hudson, ma USA | 08/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Farrah didn't receive an award for this movie, she was seriously robbed! She must have researched the subject of wife abuse thoroughly right down to the humiliation seen on her face and the sheer terror that whatever she said could possible cause yet another smack. Superb acting!"

Must see for all young women

Beth | 09/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This movie made me realize how far women's rights have come, and the fact that stories like this still happen makes me realize how far we still have to go.

To those reviewers who say the ending is unrealistic, I would like to point out that this is a true story. You can't get more realistic than that."

Will never forget this movie

Gypsy | 09/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie has not been forgotten due to the strong performance of Farrah Fawcett, and Paul LeMont. I sometimes think why doesn't Hollywood make strong film like these anymore? Then I remember this film and why bother, this film shows the true side of an ugly marrage that shows a real hell for women who stay in abusive relationships. Farrah Fawcett showed her true potential as an actress in this film and many more she did after this. No wait, she did make that film "Murder In Texas" she did a good job there too. But still it must of been hard for her to fight for this role. Since I think that Hollywood and the world only knew her as an "ANGEL". Not anymore. It is shame she did not get the Emmy for this role. There are few films that are remembered after one year or five or ten. But this film will be remembered. It's now 2001 and still I talk to friends about this movie and...yes, they still remember. That is how powerful this movie is. Its' shows the extremes lengths a woman who is abused will take to be freed from fear, hate and just utter destruction of the soul. Any woman who see's this movie should not just watch it and forget it but learn that no man or person has the right to beat, hurt and humiliate you to get them to love them or just stay with them because they want you to. If he hits you once he will hit you again."