Fact-based drama starring Richard Thomas and Robert Urich, about an ex-cop who uses a bomb to hold an elementary school full of children and teachers hostage. The film is based on the book Trial By Terror (aka. When Angels Intervene), an account of one of the worst hostage crises in U.S. history.

Thomas plays the ex-cop, David Young, who has reached a dead end both financially and personally. His wife Dorsie (Wendy Crewson), fed up with avoiding bill collectors, is about to leave him when he convinces her that he has finally come up with "The Biggie," the plan that will change their lives forever. David has built a large and powerful bomb. He plans to take it into the local elementary school and take its children and teachers hostage. Dorsie and the couple's teen-age daughter (Joanne Vannicola) are unclear about David's plan at first but believe that he intends to use the bomb only as a threat to bargain for money.

Once they are in the school with him, however, they begin to suspect that David's plan is for them all to die. Urich portrays Jake Downey, a heroic teacher who tries to keep the situation under control and save the children, as the authorities in this small, rural Wyoming town scurry to deal with the events as they unfold on this horrific day in 1986. Meanwhile, a sixth grade boy, Cody (Robert Bendarski), summons up all his courage to save his little sister, Tracy (Cecilly Carroll).

Jessica Steen plays Kathi Davidson, the Sheriffs dispatcher (or "glorified secretary" as her character Kathi says) who initally takes control of the hostage situation until the Sherrif (who was out of town at the time) and the FBI arrive.

Trivia:

Jessica and Michael Copeman (Sheriff Wolfley) also worked together in the movie "Judgment" (2001)

Last update: February 25, 2001 8:40 AM