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Bob & Lisa's
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The Judas Goat
made-for-TV-movie
1994 on Lifetime
Based on the 1978 book by the same name (Read the Review), The Judas Goat was actually filmed in Toronto, and most of the movie-story is based there. It is the second movie filmed, though in original book order it would have come beforehand. It brings back the cast from the TV series You've got Joe Mantegna as Spenser, and Wendy Crewson as Susan.
When I say this was "based" it was VERY loosely based, and for the better. The movie actually puts a number of twists and turns into the story that were really lacking. You can see how much Parker has grown by the way he crafted this TV story and expanded and enhanced what the book began. The storyline actually works much better coming at the end of the series, where Spenser and Hawk really do trust each other and depend on each other.
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Lisa Says: I enjoyed this version a great deal. The characters were much more believable and Spenser's actions make much more sense in the movie compared to the book version. The ending is far more satisfying because of the added layers. There are many things that the book version had going on that were questionable, but in this movie version the storyline was done far better. The characters were much more human and believable and Spenser's actions are much more believable.
Of course it's a shame not to get to see neat European landscapes and such as in the original book, but I think that helps us focus more on the characters and what is going on, instead of having Spenser traipsing across northern Europe, leaving behind a trail of dead bodies. Even after having seen it several times, I still laugh at some of the great lines in here. |
This movie is currently not available on VHS or DVD. I did see it in 2003 on the Hallmark Channel!
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Traveling in Spenser's Footprints Toronto locations used: BCE Place Cambridge Suites Hotel Cherry Restaurant Harbourfront York Quay Marriott Eaton Centre Sutton Place Hotel Toronto Sun U of T Trinity College |
Spenser for Hire Master Listing