The Penalty Phase

This film is a disappointing satire of the justice system's efforts to rule on capital punishment.The judge(played by Peter Strauss)is trying to deal with a contriversal ruling for a criminal.Who many want to see get the death penilty.While the pro life group wants to see this man get either life in prison or a parole and some psycho-thearpy to help rehabilitate him back into society.The judge doesn't want to louse up this situation.Since he needs positive votes from his consituates to earn him another term on the bench.Melissa Gilbert's appearances in this film are limited to two cameos.Both of them are minor and one.Where she tries to have illicit sex with Judge Strauss is neither sexually exciting or nessicary for the scene.Mr.Strauss' performance in this film is equally forgettable.In Short.."Penality Phase"is a tv movie drama that should have been condemned before it ever got to the network airways.