# The Burden of Proof (miniseries)

The Burden of Proof (also Scott Turow's The Burden of Proof) is a 1992 television miniseries based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Scott Turow which itself is a follow up to Presumed Innocent. It stars Héctor Elizondo and Brian Dennehy (who previously played Raymond Horgan, a different character in the film adaption of Presumed Innocent). The story follows the character Sandy Stern (who was played by Raul Julia in the film adaption of Presumed Innocent) following events in the latter.
The miniseries was directed by Mike Robe, adapted by John Gay, and premiered on February 9, 1992. It was an original production filmed and aired by the ABC Video Enterprises, and was also released theatrically outside the US. by Warner Bros. Pictures.

## Plot

A lawyer who's still recuperating after the untimely death of his wife, must defend his probably dirty brother-in-law, a stockbroker under investigation. He discovers that everyone has dark secrets, including himself.

## Cast

* Héctor Elizondo as Alejandro "Sandy" Stern
* Brian Dennehy as Dixon Hartnell
* Mel Harris as Sonia Klonsky
* Adrienne Barbeau as Silvia Hartnell
* Concetta Tomei as Clara Stern
* Anne Bobby as Marta Stern (as Anne Marie Bobby)
* Gail Strickland as Fiona Cawley
* Chelcie Ross as Dr. Nate Cawley
* Kerri Green as Kate Granum
* Miko Hughes as Sam
* Thomas Anthony Quinn as Dr. Peter Stern
* Jeffrey Tambor as Sennett
* Nora Denney as Waitress
* John Durbin as Remo
* T. Max Graham as Lt. Ray Radczyk
* William Kuhlke as Cal Hopkinson
* Leah Maddrie as Mrs. Drake
* Monica McCarthy as Nate's Nurse
* Neal McDonough as John Granum
* Michael T. McGraw as FBI Agent #1
* Charles Oldfather
* Stefanie Powers as Helen Dudak
* Victoria Principal as Margy Allison
* Grady Smith
* Tim Snay as FBI Agent #2
* Donna Thomason as Claudia
* Charles Whitman as Rabbi

## Release

The miniseries was a production by Mike Robe Productions, Capital Cities and ABC Video Enterprises, it's aired in the ABC on February 9, 1992. ABC handled U.S. distribution, while Warner Bros. handled International distribution. Warner Bros. handles the rights of the miniseries to be released on theatrical versions and on home video (including Warner Home Video). As of 1996, The Walt Disney Company now owns domestic rights to The Burden of Proof through ABC, which had obtained the miniseries rights domestically.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1992 | Artios Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Mini-Series Casting | Barbara Claman | Nominated |
| 1992 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Miniseries | Mike Robe, Preston Fischer, and John Perrin Flynn | Nominated |
| 1992 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special | Brian Dennehy | Nominated |
| 1993 | American Cinema Editors Awards | Best Edited Episode from a Television Mini-Series | Scott Vickrey (for "Part II") | Won |
| 1993 | American Society of Cinematographers Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Miniseries | Kees Van Oostrum | Nominated |
| 1993 | Edgar Allan Poe Awards | Best Television Feature of Miniseries | John Gay | Nominated |

## Home media

The duo-series has been released on VHS and DVD as a single movie, albeit a 184-minute release.