The Colony (1995 film)
The Colony is a 1995 American made-for-television thriller drama film starring John Ritter, Mary Page Keller, and Hal Linden. The film was written and directed by Rob Hedden.[1]
| The Colony | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama Thriller |
| Written by | Rob Hedden |
| Directed by | Rob Hedden |
| Starring | John Ritter Mary Page Keller Hal Linden |
| Music by | Dennis McCarthy |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Kevin Kelly Brown |
| Producer | Fern Field |
| Production locations | Rancho Palos Verdes, California |
| Cinematography | David Geddes |
| Editor | Barry B. Leirer |
| Distributor | USA Network |
| Release | |
| Original network | USA Network |
| Original release | September 13, 1995 |
Plot
Following a carjacking, a man and his family move into an Orwellian-like gated community where the billionaire owner controls the residents' lives. There are draconian rules, armed guards all over, and cameras in all the rooms. Then sinister things begin to happen.
Cast
- John Ritter as Rick Knowlton
- Mary Page Keller as Leslie Knowlton
- Hal Linden as Philip Denig
- Alexandra Picatto as Danielle Knowlton
- Cody Dorkin as Andy Knowlton
- Marshall R. Teague as Doug Corwin
- Todd Jeffries as Mike Knowlton
- June Lockhart as Mrs. Billingsly
- John Wesley as Jerry Franklin
- Frank Bonner as Frank Williamson
- Michele Scarabelli as Sandi Barnett
- Dan Gilvezan as Steve Barnett
- Alla Korot as Jessica James
Reception
Critical response
Tony Scott of Variety wrote in his review: "June Lockhart, who knows how to handle the role, cunningly dominates the private school system. There's no privacy, and there's a secret attempt by a patrol to search the Ritter family's house for a vital missing computer disk that the former tenants squirreled away before they were sent over a cliff by Teague. [...] Tech credits are good. Main trouble with The Colony is that, as a suspenser, it isn't much fun. Plays like a summer throwaway.[2]
Release
The Colony was released on September 13, 1995, on the USA Network.[3] The film was released on VHS on March 12, 1996, by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.[4] It has yet to be released on DVD or video-on-demand.
TV Series
In 2016, USA Network produced a series of the same name that features a similar premise, but with science fiction elements.
References
- "The Colony". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- Scott, Tony (September 13, 1995). "Review: 'Usa Pictures Original the Colony'". Variety. Los Angeles: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- Sunday Star Ledger. TV Time Pullout Section. pg. 10. September 10, 1995.
- The Colony. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (VHS). Universal City, California: NBCUniversal (Comcast). March 12, 1996. ASIN 6303955940. Retrieved August 18, 2017.