Mark Bowen I happened to catch this on TV, and wanted to watch because I remembered the Spin magazine article upon which the movie is based. I was very disappointed. First, if James Belushi is the lead actor in a movie, it should be a sign that it's not exactly an A-list production. Gregory Hines was a world class dancer, but sadly not a great actor.In fact, all of the acting in this film is either flat or hammy, which can only be blamed on the director, who is this film's weakest link. Charles Carner seemed to be trying to ape Oliver Stone's "JFK" in portraying the alleged conspiracy to cover up the "real" child murderer(s), but without the benefit of a good script, an A-list cast or, it must be said, the talent. It just doesn't work.It's a shame that such a worthy topic for a film did not get better treatment.

boobie1822 My theory regarding the release of this movie leads me to believe that this film was originally made for theatrical release (at the end credits it states that this is a Motion Picture through Viacom) . The elements such was cinematography, excellent DP and camera angling is not typical for a made-for-TV. And now I remember that this was a Showtime release. I have my other thoughts that if this film were released theatrically, could you imagine the uproar from audience viewer ship? This film makes a powerful statement of what possibly may have been the fact that the Klan's involvement in the actual murders is highly likely. And I do not think that this is a "maybe" to tell you the truth. The fact that this probe and investigation was ever released by Spin Magazine tells me that there is a very high probability that the Klan was the main suspect into the murders. This film is excellent in that the use of documentation and eyewitness accounts from the officer involved in the investigation of the murders to the mothers and the state representative standing strong to bring the truth to the public. I was a child myself when this case was televised via media coverage. Even as a child, I could not tell you why I felt that something was not satisfactory in the apprehension of Wayne Williams.It was too neat and convenient, yet, I could not verbalize this supposition as a child. I never imagined, even at that point, that it could have been the Klan. However, as I watched this film, I was completely convinced that the Klan was absolutely involved in all of the murders. How frightening and historically sensible that it would be the Klan.Gregory Hines and James Belushi were terrific together as the reporters turned investigators as they unravel the secrets and the cover up behind one of the country's most scathing murder cases of the decade. I enjoyed their SINCERE comrade and chemistry. They were outstanding together and I would love to see them together again solving another case as detectives (if Mr. Hines were still living as he was multi-talented and emanated intelligence in every role he has every played. I will sorely miss him).It was genius to add Belushi to the casting because while he is mainly a comedic performer, he also demonstrates the ability to portray seriousness with fine comedic balance to lighten up a very disturbing and very heart-breaking true story. The producers couldn't have selected a better team and an overall powerful cast.This film is well worth watching and was delicately handled as this is a subject which continues to be very much a living reality in America. This hatred has got to stop because there is too much beauty and perfection while watching Caucasian and African-Americans work together in films. I love it and I love the chemistry as it brings a positive energy to any movie when the pairing is sincere and the performances are authentic.As Ebert says; Two Thumbs Up for this picture. It is frequently aired on Court TV (however) if you can stand the constant commercial interruptions. All in all, it is worth the watch.

flimbuff A racially mixed pair of reporters start out to cover the Atlanta child murder cases and come to believe that a huge KKK conspiracy is involved in the killings and it was covered up by a combination of police bungling and politics. The story is almost believable yet it fails to recognize that the situation was such that American black activists were all over the case too and it would seem very likely that they would publicize such a conspiracy and not just let the matter rest as it has. The film is a little too simplistic in that sense and doesn't cover any extensive interviews with the defendant or examine why or if the murders continued after his apprehension. I could readily understand the political motives for covering up such an inflammatory conspiracy but it seems too far fetched to believe that such a coverup would have to involve so many people of different races and views that it just seems to implausable. Good effort by Hines and Belushi though.

George Parker Released on video as "Echo of Murder", this film is a scrapbook docudrama which retells the history of the infamous early 80's Atlanta "Child Murders" through the investigative reporting of two journalists, Heins and Belushi. The film gathers momentum quickly and keeps up the pace though the story is more a regurgitation of history than an embellished drama. Worth a look for those unfamiliar with this dark time in Atlanta's history.