Asesinato al alba

The interesting thing about this film is that it is a true story and filmed to make it as realistic and true to the actual circumstances as possible, which makes its convincing power spellbinding - you get involved, you engage in the problems and strenuous situations, and you share the incomprehensibility of Cheryl Ladd's closest of kin that she actually made a deal with that guy and didn't say no to him from the beginning. She hoped he would get better, while he instead got worse, and we all know that all wise warnings after the settlement are just too late. It's an American family drama, and all the actors add well enough to make it worth following closely to the bitter end. My favourite is Matt Clark as John de Silva, the father who saw how it would all end before the beginning, who actually brings forth probably the only good laughs of the film. It's enough to see it once, because it will stick in your memory as a good example of modern qualified American realism.

I think this role gave us an insight to Jameson's acting ability. He was a calculating, deadly bad man, who wanted his wife disposed of. He was callous and uncaring....... I loved it! He has the ability to play most roles, but I did prefer him in Simon & Simon, and miss seeing him on TV in that role. This wife's role was also very well acted by Cheryl Ladd. She was terrified of her husband, and look so on screen. But Jameson drew me to this movie. I watch all his films and would like to see more this year, if he makes any, but we shall see. I enjoy watching all his TV and Film appearances and miss seeing him on our small and big screen. COME BACK, PLEASE!

I did watch the whole movie, but it was far from gripping. Mostly, I was incredulous how stupid either the main character Linda was or how stupid the story was presented. It really did strain credulity.

was directed by Charles Correll, who also directed several other TV suspense movies, including "Into the Deep Woods" with Tony Perkins and Rosanna Arquette.

Primarily it is the true story of Linda Edelman, whose husband plotted to have her killed. Not a novel idea. But Cheryl Ladd is pleasant to watch, she is usually very believable in these roles, which is more than can be said for Jameson Parker, who portrays the abusive husband.

For some reason I am thinking Gerald McRaney would have been better in this movie, because he is a better actor, or perhaps because he was the foil to Jameson Parker in TV's "Simon and Simon" detective series. Jameson Parker is simply too uptight really, to even act the part of a stuffed-shirt wife beater!.

Matt Clark and Hope Lange, noted veteran actors, portray Ladd's parents. Matt Clark is particularly funny when he says at a restaurant: "I hate Italian food, it all tastes like pizza", as they are longtime Texas residents, born and bred.

All in all, give the movie a chance. Ladd does well, it is not too soapy, and movies about spousal abuse at least send a valid message to the audience.

I cannot believe that no one caught that this is the exact same plot, I mean exact. The ending , the way they caught the husband, The exact same plot. And oddly, the same actor played in both feature films.

His name is GW Bailey. He was in both films.

I just saw Downpayment for Murder, with Connie Seleca and Ben Gazzara and I said to myself "wait a minute", this is the same plot as Dead Before Dawn. And sure enough it was.

Oh they changed the employment status of the husband but it was SAME PLOT.

Unbelievable.