User reviews

I wasn't originally going to comment on this movie, but, after reading some of the other reviews, I felt like I needed to add to this.

Although most reviews of this film have been somewhat positive,there are a few of the reviews which have noted how unbelievable this story is and how this movie is not worth the time. I disagree.

Some people may not realize that this is based on true events that happened in the mid 1980s in North Carolina. As a local high school student when this all came to the forefront, and also having been lucky enough to be able to read Jerry Bledsoe's original articles when they were published in the Greensboro "News and Record" (the local paper where he was writing at the time), I can honestly say that most local folks were both amazed and disturbed by the whole situation and the senselessness of it all.

If you are interested in this movie and would like to learn more about the Klenner, Sharp, Newsom, and Lynch families, I suggest that you read "Bitter Blood" (by Jerry Bledsoe) -- the book on which this mini-series was based. The movie was good, but never have I found a crime novel that was as intriguing as this. A long read, but worth the time.

Pay no attention to the other post saying this movie sucks, because it doesn't. This movie is based on a true story, that I as well as everyone that live around this area either grew up hearing about or lived through. Sometimes true stories may not present the rosiest of pictures, and this movie most certainly is far from rosy. Most of the movie is true, and follows along with the book written by a local author named Jerry Bledsoe, however somethings have been changed and made more Hollywood. If you are looking for a love story like Gone with the Wind, you're looking in the wrong place. If you are looking for a historical movie about a real life serial killer from Reidsville North Carolina, then this is the movie for you.

As many tv movies go, this two-part mini-series could sometimes be weak in the writing and acting departments, but still held a fascination because a) the events are true, and b) the climax took place just a few miles from my parents' house. In fact, I was acquainted with a relative of one of the families involved.

Some have commented on the lack of plausibility of the story, but the movie stayed true to the actual events for the most part. In fact, it even left out some factual details that did not seem implausible, but real life is often stranger than fiction. (I recommend reading Jerry Bledsoe's book "Bitter Blood," where the entire story will blow you away. The movie is based on this book.)

Regardless of the weak nature of a tv movie-of-the-week, including the disruptions for commercials when I first saw it broadcast over two nights, the series of tragedies that unfolded were still heart-wrenching and made my pulse race. If you can get past those usual weaknesses, you will find an amazing true story of a strange couple who, when put together, seemed to lose all perspective on reality and unleashed a diabolical plot to retain full custody of the woman's two little boys from a previous marriage. If the movie is available for rental, it's probably worth checking out, but not as light-hearted viewing.

I really thought this was a great movie. It was sad but hey, Wakeup!!! This really happens in life. I wished it came on more on lifetime. I haven't seen this movie in a long time and never caught all of it. I hope it comes back on sometime soon so i can watch the whole thing. I love the lifetime channel. This movie just goes to show lifetime has never let me down. I cried at the end, though. It was so sad to see how the kids ended up. I think this is a great movie to watch on a rainy Saturday afternoon. It is one to curl up on the sofa and get into. I wished it came on a DVD/VHS so that i could see it, the whole movie. Jayne Brook, from Chicago Hope, does a terrific job playing the new relationship in Tom's life. The only part i didn't like was the part Harry Hamlin played. He has done so much better than playing a guy who is a liar and one that would marry his cousin. However, i still would watch this movie again.

well i thought this is a really great movie i saw it when it first came on TV and i ain't seen it sense then but i wish i could see it again all the actors done a really good job and yes its true and it happened right here and the end happened right up the road from me and it was very sad and i sure wish i could find this movie on DVD or VHS cause i would love to own it so i could watch it anytime i wanted to i only have plain TV i don't have cable or satellite so i ain't seen it in a long time and i look for it on the web all the time but cant find it and my mom went to school with fritz klenner and my cousin worked at times turn around and seen fritz come in there all the time and well i just think that it was a really great movie and would love to own it if i could find it so let me know if you know how i can find this movie.

I hated reading the reviews for this movie because of how some said how badly it was written and never took 2 mins to find out that it was a true story! My grandparents lived in the area that the blazer blew up and they said that it literally rattled their windows. My grandma actually seen the "crazy doctor" Fritz. The dentist was still living in Albuquerque New Mexico the last I checked. He had everything taken away from him by an EVIL ex wife. This may not be everyone's cup of tea but it's definitely a good movie to watch if you like "based on true story" movies.

I can't believe some gave this movie bad reviews. The book is great too. The movie was very close to the actual events. The I only thing bad about the movie is that the events actually happened. It's hard to imagine someone could be so menttally unstable, even in today's world, to do the the things Susie Newsome did. Its a tragic story and me living within miles of where the Klinner's doctors office was and where the final tragic events took place, make it even more unreal. It's now the 30yr anniversary and I've been searching the guide hoping lifetime would be airing it but it looks like I'm gonna be disappointed. Gonna have to try to buy it. I'd give it 12 stars!

I have read the book several times and own the movie on DVD. Great acting by Gillis, Carradine and Hamlin. It's hard to believe this actually happened, but it did. I would start with the book and then watch the movie. You won't be disappointed!

I began watching this film on Lifetime on a Sunday afternoon, with the understanding it was your standard 2 hour TV movie. 3 hours later, it became clear it was a tad bit longer. I thought the acting was terrible, the story line less than plausible, and the characters totally unlikeable.

The ending was unsatisfying, although unexpected (or was it really?) I can't believe I got caught up in the film.

Sadly the critic above knows nothing of the history of the movie. The movie is based on the TRUE crime book Bitter Blood and is extremely accurate. Maybe he found it disappointing or unrealistic but sadly the story is true and well documented. I enjoyed the movie since I grew up during the time of the murders in Winston-Salem. I wish could find this movie on DVD.

The basic story line is about Susie Newsome, niece of Susie Sharpe who was the first female supreme court justice in North Carolina. She marries young Tom Lynch after meeting him at Wake Forest University. There bitter breakup leaves Susie in anger and hurt. She takes revenge out on him in a truly horrific story.

"Bitter Blood" is a really interesting movie. You watch Kelly McGillis' character change completely as she becomes more and more under the thumb of her completely insane cousin. Interesting performances all around, but somewhat disturbing. On a side note, it is really long. I did not want to stop watching, but you do feel that it's long, and wish it was a little shorter.

This movie was amazing! I was a little girl when all of this happened and to know that this happened in my own hometown. After I saw this movie, I went and researched everything to know about it. Then, I watched the movie again. These characters were true to their characters. It was amazing. Eveybody I talked to about this (who was involved) & who saw the movie, said this movie was wonderful! I thought it was wonderful, too. And it was eerie that this happened in my home town and that I actually know where the Newsom house is!! I really thought this movie was wonderful!

One of the best casts ever on a little network, this director obviously comes from New York and knows all the great unsung actors living there.

Marian Seldes, Anne Pitoniak, Tom Aldredge are all great to see on screen, and do a great job, but the film belongs to Carradine and Willis. She gives a terrific performance, and he's right up there with her. It's a little long, yes, but if you can get into the story it's well worth it.

BITTER BLOOD is a great movie for Keith Carridine fans.

I am kind of surprised watching the LIFETIME channel. OLDEST BRIDESMAID had a lady lawyer out of touch with her emotions, BITTER BLOOD had a child killing housewife, and THE HIRED HEART had a lady MD with weird psychological problems. Keith Carradine, Brian Wimmer... the leading man is kind and nice. It just seems odd that these are the stories selected for a women's network.