
The gruesome murders of Nancy and Derek Haysom in 1985 were an international media sensation. The Haysoms were wealthy, respected members of Virginia society, and the murder conviction of their daughter Elizabeth and her German boyfriend Jens Soering sent shock waves through the rural community of Bedford County. Elizabeth and Jens had met in a university program for high achieving students. She was a product of European boarding schools, he was the son of a diplomat. After b... (Full plot summary below)
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The gruesome murders of Nancy and Derek Haysom in 1985 were an international media sensation. The Haysoms were wealthy, respected members of Virginia society, and the murder conviction of their daughter Elizabeth and her German boyfriend Jens Soering sent shock waves through the rural community of Bedford County. Elizabeth and Jens had met in a university program for high achieving students. She was a product of European boarding schools, he was the son of a diplomat. After being arrested in London, England, for passing bad checks in 1986, they were both extradited to the United States and have now spent over 30 years behind bars. This beautifully crafted film reveals a mismanaged, or perhaps completely corrupted, judicial process. This was the first criminal trial held in front of TV cameras - the first high-profile, international case tried in a small town. Investigations over the past 3 years have turned up stunning evidence that was previously suppressed or deemed inadmissible. New forensic techniques have disproven evidence that was key to Soering's original conviction. Denied parole 12 times, his next hearing in 2017 may have a different outcome, at the same time the film is in release. Unidentified fingerprints, photographic evidence that points to sexual abuse, the presiding judge's friendship with the victims, a missing FBI profile, a bloody car with a knife under the seat - all point to a very different story, one that is revealed in the film.
Leave your thoughts about Killing for Love.
| Tolucan TimesTony Medley...captures the desolation of the Armenians and the cold-blooded cruelty of the Muslim Turks, who massacred men, women, and children with impunity. Kudos to the producers for using art to reveal the Turkish cruelty for the entire world to see. |
| ReviewExpress.comDiana SaengerA Stunning Story and Remarkable Production |
| EricDSnider.comEric D. SniderThere's so much more to explore here, but The Promise is a worthy step in the right direction. |
| AtHomeInHollywood.comLisa Johnson MandellIt never quite makes clear to what promise they're referring, but the flaws can be forgiven for the ambition of the story. |
| The Patriot LedgerDana BarbutoThe filmmakers put the viewers in the midst of chaos and despair, but at 132 minutes, "The Promise" is really just a movie in a long, drawn-out war with itself. |
| Cincinnati CityBeattt stern-enziTerry George would have been wise to focus his attention on Bale's journalist, allowing his dogged account of the sad history of Armenia to raise our ire and serve as a rallying cry for exposing this long-hidden international injustice. |
| Cleveland Plain DealerMichael HeatonThe Promise is a sweeping historical drama with beautiful cinematography, horrific war scenes and great acting by all the lead characters. |
| Minneapolis Star TribuneColin CovertGeorge follows the classic playbook of sweeping, ambitious historical epics. With superb old-style craftsmanship, he has us watching portentous moments unfold from the perspective of individuals whose fate concerns us. |
| Entertainment WeeklyLeah GreenblattA classic war picture whose worthy message gets swallowed nearly whole by broad strokes storytelling and stock romantic melodrama. |
| Baret NewsKam WilliamsWar may be hell, but luckily, love still conquers all! |