Ted Bundy

Plot synopsis:
In Seattle, Washington, 1974, law student Ted Bundy (Michael Reilly Burke) appears to be the typical friendly guy-next-door; but underneath this gentle facade lies a monster. After watching women from their home window while masturbating, Bundy builds the courage to commit his first murder. From there, he always manages to lure a young woman to his car by faking a broken arm or an illness then asking for help or by disguising himself as a police officer. Then he knocks her unconscious with a tool, ties her up and drives her to an arranged location where he rapes and murders her. Driving his yellow VW Beetle, he leaves a bloody trail through the United States. The police are left in the dark, as no one suspects the young man for his reputable character in the community; being a model citizen and top-student.
In 1975, one of his victims, Tina Gabler, escapes him when she throws herself from his moving car. Based on her description of his car, Bundy is stopped by a police officer and arrested. In his trunk, the officers find pantyhose masks, a hand saw, a crowbar, knives, ropes and handcuffs. Even though he is identified by Tina Gabler in a lineup, he denies ever having seen the woman. When he is visited by his girlfriend at the Colorado State Prison, he admits to her that charges are being brought against him for multiple murders but stresses the fact that there is no evidence, however, and that he will never be convicted; at this point she distances herself from him. Due to his wish to defend himself, he is granted access to the courthouse law library, and promptly escapes by jumping from an upper story window. He is jailed again after an auto theft, but manages to escape yet again months later. This time he overpowers four women in their home and brutally beats them. After the murder of a little girl he becomes heavily intoxicated and is recognized by a police officer and arrested after a short chase. At trial the judge sentences Ted to be executed by electric chair. After a brief chat on the phone, he makes a final statement before the execution is carried out.

Tags: cult, violence

Review:
Matthew Bright's "Ted Bundy" gives us what might contain the best portrayal of a modern serial murderer on film.
While "Stranger" is more successful as a factual and interesting telling of Bundy's story, this is a much more impactful movie that makes you feel as though you're actually in the room with that demon.
If you watch this movie and don't know anything about the real Ted Bundy, you may not be disappointed.
For one, this movie ends with a relatively haunting epilogue in subtitles, stating that in the months leading to Ted Bundy's execution, he received more than 200 letters a day from women who claim to have loved him.
This fact may not be exaggerated, but the film leaves viewers wondering why any woman would love the guy they see in this film.Michael Reilly Burke (who, if you were wondering, is no relation to this critic) may not be a bad actor, but there is one major flaw in his portrayal of Ted Bundy.
In portraying Bundy as a faceless, one-dimensional killer, the director really missed the point of what truly made Bundy scary.The best movie about Ted Bundy remains "The Deliberate Stranger", the 1986 TV movie starring Mark Harmon.
That movie, although it did not have the R-rated freedom this one does, portrayed Ted Bundy as an outgoing, handsome young man who no one believed at first would be so ruthless against women.
"The Deliberate Stranger", although it didn't show much in the way of blood and guts, was chilling because it mainly stuck straight to the facts.The people who made "Ted Bundy" appear to know the basic, encyclopedic facts about the sociopathic killer, but seem to have made up their own facts as they went along.
I don't know if Bundy really subjected his girlfriend to such an act, but there's no doubt this women wouldn't wonder, "Gee, I never knew Ted was a serial killer.
In this movie, the murders happen right before your eyes, but the things that made the real Ted Bundy scary are completely lost here.
The opening sequences of 'Ted Bundy' with the unknown (to me) Bundy lookalike Michael Reilly Burke acting like a doofus in a bow tie had me wondering for a moment if Bright was going to play it strictly for laughs, but things quickly get darker and more serious.
Ted Bundy is anything but a stranger to our screens; the fascination with this personification of evil, the man who became the first serial killer – in name if not in deed – knows no bounds, and certainly didn't for the daffy women who became his trial groupies.
We see none of that here because his trials are glossed over, clearly something had to be in order to keep the film to a manageable length.Michael Reilly Burke puts in a convincing performance, and there are some graphic scenes, but arguably the two most memorable are where he kidnaps Carol DaRonch – called Tina Gabler here – and gets the worst of it from a young woman who fought like a tigress knowing full well that if she didn't escape his clutches then and there, she would not get out of that car alive.
Given the sensitive subject matter, many a director of a real-life serial killer biopic could be forgiven for 'playing it safe', presenting events in a matter-of-fact manner and shying away from showing too much nasty stuff; Matthew Bright, however, isn't your average director, and this movie, detailing the murderous history of America's first 'official' serial killer, Ted Bundy, is refreshingly different in its approach to multiple murder.Rather than depict events in a downbeat, nihilistic manner, Bright acknowledges that much of his material, although factually accurate, is patently quite absurd.
It's a brave move by an innovative director.To add to the viewer's feeling of discomfort, Bright also opts to depict each killing in chilling detail, showing not only the gruesome act, but also what happens to the victim after their death (Bundy was a necrophiliac as well as a killer!).
This is harsh stuff indeed.Of course, Bundy's luck runs out in the end, and he eventually gets what he deserves in a meticulous scene which shows us exactly what preparations are made before frying a killer (I never knew that a condemned man's butt is stuffed with cotton wool prior to executionit's amazing what you learn from movies!).Bright closes his film with Bundy's ex-girlfriend asking herself 'Who was Ted Bundy?'.
I cannot argue that this is not true, but this is how Bright chose to tackle his subject matter, and he does it well: he delivers a shocking film, with some lovely stylish touches, and good performances from the relatively unknown cast.Michael Reilly Burke puts in a confident turn as Bundy, and is convincing as both a charmer and a bloodthirsty maniac.
The truth is that Bundy was a monster, probably still the "greatest" serial killer we've known, and he himself did not understand what was going on.It seems a missed opportunity that Bundy was not studied more to perhaps gain some insight into the psychotic mind, but then, if he didn't understand it himself, what shrink would?I think the movie is worth seeing, but not as a date flick!Dan. Not for the squeamish.
It is estimated he may have killed over 100 women; so much is still unknown and probably will never be known about his dark, horrifying secrets.They try in this movie but Ted Bundy was much more interesting and deeply disturbed and complex than we see here.
As really knowing mot much about this guy, where Mark Harmon had played him in a t.v. film, we see the real true colors of the infamous serial nutter, who was believed to have killed up to 35 women.
Ted Bundy become the first murderer for the term "Serial Killer" to be used for the public.Directed by Matthew Bright (Freeway) made an watchable, harsh, horror film with odd moments of black comedy that is based on a true story.
"Ted Bundy" is a bizarre movie to be sure, i would expect one filmmaker out-there to truly make a disturbing true story of a psychopath.
Ted Bundy was one of the most infamous serial killers in the criminal history of US.He murdered numerous young women across the United States between 1974 and 1978.His total number of victims is unknown.After over a decade of vigorous denials,Bundy eventually confessed to over 30 murders.Matthew Bright's "Ted Bundy" is based on his gruesome activities.Technically the movie is very good and on the most part, the actors are really convincing,but "Ted Bundy" is nowhere near as shocking and disturbing as "Henry:Portait of a Serial Killer" or my personal cult favourite "Angst".Horror fans might get a kick out of this one because Tom Savini does the special effects makeup and has a small part in the film.Overall,I enjoyed this film and you should too,if you are into exploitation cinema.8 out of 10..
I expected a movie version, updated with current developments (e.g., at the time of the making of the "Deliberate Stranger", Bundy had not been executed, his appeals had not been exhausted, nor had the immense psychological profiling or his eleventh hour shenaingans to save his life-such as his siring of a child while on death row or his conversion to Hinduism or his last minute appeals to exchange information to save his life- been completed) and not restrained on such a macabre subject as this by network TV parameters to be truly compelling, thought provoking,  and informative.Bright's moview, while visually compelling at times, falls far short of the mark and is, at times, inappropriate and tasteless.
(Not to be confused with his OTHER girlfriend at the time of the beginning of his killings, whom is depicted in both movies referenced herein, and in Bright's adaptation is misrepresented and slandered, despite a strong performance from the actress polaying her with such a limited script)By contrast, the victims in Bright's adaption are mostly blond and further details of their murders are made up and presented as "fact".There is no mention or illusion to Bundy's family, especially his mother, whom he beleived to be his sister unitl early adoloscene, nor his self described life long shame at being born out of wedlock.
Clearly, well known facts such ast these are important to give the viewer, whether familiar with Bundy or not, grounds to answer the most compeeling and unsaswerable questions: WHY and HOW?Instead, Bright presents a disjointed tale in which Bundy (played fairly well with limited options by Michael Burke) does not even speak until 20 minutes into the movie, despite being depicted in almost every scene of the moview.
I beleive that Bright did attempt this, although for the life of me I cannot find dark humor in the real life story of a man who murdered at least 30 women (investigators and profilers close to the case unanimously believe the actual count is much more and some feel that it could have well been more than 100);physically and emotionally maimed other victims for life, and psychologically shattered some others who knew, in hindsight, that they could have been and/or were intended to be his victim.
Bright's Bundy is a ridculous and revolting figure, obviously out of place and literally walking up to women on the street and striking them and then carrying their bodies to his VW, in one scene in full view of four people who are walking right by and son't seem to care.for those who do feel compelled or interested in seeing this movie, don't waste your extra bucks on the DVD version unless you just have to see it in that visually format.
Such beauts as "this girl is a wrestler in real life and I wish she would have met Bundy, she'd kicked his butt" and "I can't remember her name (reference to a blond actress playing a cheerleader uniform wearing victim of Bundy-a victim not based in the facts of the case)...but, she's 'jailbait' and she knows she's 'jailbait'"The most disgusting is in the commentary during the "interrogation scene" of Bundy (again, we are given no who, what, where, etc.) when the detective is withering Bundy with questions and begins to read a list of names of his victims (again, not factually accurate, at the time of Bundy's intial arrest in Utah, he was a suspect in three unsolved kidnapping of young women,bodies had not been found and one survived and ultimately id'd him) containing about 20 names.
There are other false and tasteless treats from his commentary "...people saw this guy, but nobody said anything and nobody cared...", "Bundy easily could have been Governor or a Senator", and "Bundy was a REpublican...I don't mean to slam Republicans, but most serial killers are Repblican"As if that is not enough, this movie ends with a succession of four children (?)smiling at the camera and yelling "I am Ted Bundy", the last of which is a cute little girl who says this line while appearing to be holding a dead cat.Bottom line, stay away from this unless you just like mindless and gratuitous movies that are a succession of unrelated and unexplained shocking scenes like the ones mentioned above and many other beauties such as Bundy masturbting outside of windows and putting lipstick on a decapitated corpse.If you are interested at all in this subject matter or just curious and don't need to be grossed out while someone who thinks this is a little humorous puts in tasteless scenes to try and make you laugh, skip this and find "The Deliberate Stranger" on VHS or wait until it comes around again on cable..
I viewed this film after reading Ann Rule's account of her personal relationship with Ted Bundy entitled, 'The Stranger Beside Me,' copyright 1980.The movie actually does a good job of portraying how Bundy selected his victims.
Lots of people can be classified as illegitimate, but they aren't serial killers so I'm not sure what significance that plays in the big picture.One distinction that this movie has versus 'The Deliberate Stranger' starring Mark Harmon is that it shows Ted Bundy as the thief and shoplifter that he was.
Burke is cool but doesn't look like Ted and lacks the icy demeanour that brilliant Mark Harmon delivers in "the Deliberate Stranger' which focuses on the crimes but does not show what makes Bundy tick.
there was also another version of his life made in which the main character was a woman interviewing Ted in prison NOT TRUE the only person to interview him in prison was a man, the character was made female as it was a made for TV movie which is mostly watched by women.This guy was also a campaigner for the U.S Republican Party, funny isn't it you'd never think such an articulate charming man could do all those things, perhaps a movie should have been made about G Dubya's early life, the alcohol the drugs the prostitutes come to think of it they could so easily have been running mates hiding dark evil secrets only difference is your President had the money and family connections to brush it over, Ted Bundy didn't.G Dubya would definitely be Vice President Bundy was far more articulate,coherent and intelligent than the fool you guys have in office at the last 4 years.Which begs the question what else has your President done we don't know about, and that's before he held the most powerful seat..
I hoped there would be a more psichological point of view to Ted Bundy, but instead it was just a chain of rapings and killings of screaming young woman.Much more could have been made out of this movie.
I don't remember what the movie was called, but it portrayed Ted Bundy as an outgoing, handsome young man who no one believed at first would do these horrible things to women.
Ted Bundy as the film describes was the first real "serial killer" in the united states.
Ted Bundy was an horrible murder although this movie doesn't describes it very well like others that are based on lives of serial killers..
What you see in the earlier Utah 'romp' is a murderer who enjoyed murdering as if it were a game, in love with his created persona, while in the final scene you see a guy who's really disgusted with himself, no longer able, I'd speculate, to muster the composure to even make an adult woman into a victim.On another point, the film shows Bundy to be a sloppy operator, revealing his name when he approached potential victims, making up ridiculous lies to his girlfriends, that sort of thing.
Anyone who finds this movie disturbing must have already read into the true horror that is Ted Bundy.
We get to explore the life of yet another serial killer and It's Ted Bundy turn.Not only do we see his twisted relationship with his girlfriend,but almost all of the killing of each girl,in which some are short and some are long.But what makes this a let down is it's funny.Not that the acting was bad or anything,but it's actually funny.
The Deliberate Stranger with Mark Harmon was an amazing movie investigating the life of Ted Bundy.
Unlike this latest Ted Bundy Movie which seemed oblivious to the fact that this is a true story and hundreds of women were actually murdered.
Whilst I usually don't have the slightest problem with violence being brought to the screen (FREEWAY, by the way, is a movie I absolutely recommend), I definitely DO have a problem with a movie depicting one of the sickest guys of our times as someone who's always good for a laugh or two, and most of his victims as being incredibly stupid and ridiculous, in fact at least as responsible for their own deaths as their killer, Bundy.Honestly, this movie appears to be a - violent, of course - comedy-sort of film much rather than anything else.
But all in all, given the "potential" of the REAL story, TED BUNDY is nowhere near as shocking and convincing as, say, HENRY - PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER.
"Ted Bundy" by Matthew Bright is the worst film about any killer I have ever seen.
It has a very dangerous statement and it made me change my personal opinion about censorship - yes, I think this movie should be forbidden, mainly because the way how Ted Bundy was treated in prison just before his execution was presented worse than the way he killed his victims.
Like the movies says in the end: Who is Ted Bundy!
This Is A Great Rol For Michael Reilly Burke.The Story :In A Killing Spree That Spanned Five Years, Ted Bundy Kidnapped, Murdered and Mutilated Dozens of Womens.
Ted Bundy is one of the most notorious serial killers in the history of True Crime and thus it may have been at least a little interesting to see a movie that included the psychology of this killer and his childhood and even the trial (both of which are intriguing and none were in the film).
Overall, Bright's 'Ted Bundy' is a poorly told and inaccurate story of a cold-blooded killer and a pretentious movie..
Michael Reilly Burke is an annoying actor who looks nothing like the real Ted Bundy.
His crimes shocked the nation and changed the image of serial killers for ever.Bright's movie focuses on the killing rampage that Bundy started in 1974 until his capture and eventual execution.
His performance as the serial killer is very good, specially if we consider the fact that the script (as the real life), doesn't explain why is this apparently normal man acts in such bizarre ways.Boti Bliss also makes a good job as Bundy's girlfriend, and has excellent scenes in the film; however, the film really belongs to Reilly Burke who, particularly at the end of Bundy's life, shows the great actor he can be.