The Sparta police investigate allegations of child abuse in a religious cult run by a charismatic leader, leading to a tense, and deadly, stand-off.
Acting
O'Connor and Weathers' gruff buddy-cop chemistry carries everything.
Direction
Mayberry stages the standoff with surprising restraint for TV.
Director
Russ Mayberry
Carroll O'Connor
Sheriff William O. 'Bill' Gillespie
Carl Weathers
Chief Hampton Forbes
Denise Nicholas
Harriet DeLong Gillespie
Peter Fonda
Marcantony Appfel
Mitchell Laurance
Alan Calloway
Karen Carlson
Atty. Sarah Hallisey
Alan Autry
Capt. V.L. 'Bubba' Skinner
Hugh O'Connor
Lt. Lonnie Jamison
David Hart
Sgt. Parker Williams
Crystal R. Fox
Sgt. LuAnn Corbin
Gwynyth Walsh
Lula Finch
Margo Moorer
Robin Stewart - Social Worker
Wilbur Fitzgerald
Dist. Atty. Gerard Darnelle
Jen Harper
Dr. Winona Day
Robert C. Treveiler
Reporter Robert Stone
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This TV movie was part of the In the Heat of the Night revival after the series ended, keeping Sparta alive for one more case.
Fonda's casting deliberately weaponized his counterculture legacy—making a former Easy Rider the establishment's nightmare.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
