TV • 1987

Murder Ordained

Adultery and murder... the true story of Reverend Tom Bird

Murder Ordained is a television miniseries which originally aired for CBS in 1987, starring Keith Carradine, JoBeth Williams, and Kathy Bates. The telefilm was directed and co-written by Mike Robe. Based on actual events that occurred in Emporia, Kansas in 1983, the film tells the story of trooper John Rule whose investigation into a fatal traffic accident involving a local minister's wife turns into a case of murder when it becomes apparent that the accident was no accident at all. Much of the principal photography and filming occurred on location in Kansas and some of the dialogue comes directly from court transcripts. The film was subsequently released on VHS and DVD. The cast also includes Terry Kinney, M. Emmet Walsh, John Goodman and Johnny Galecki. The miniseries was nominated for an Emmy Award.