Michael Murphy Movies

Whether you view him as one of the great American heroes or a deplorable crusader who savaged one of the West's most mighty Native American tribes, there's no denying that Christopher "Kit" Carson played a crucial role in the development of the United States. In this documentary, director Stephen Ives explores the journey of the Indian Tracker who was immortalized in dozens of bestselling novels. While Carson spent a substantial portion of his life advocating for the Native Americans, history would ultimately dictate that his name be forever associated with the "Long Walk" of the Navajos - a tragic campaign in which thousands of men, women, and children were forced on a 3000 mile journey that survivors branded a death march. Archival materials, detailed recreations, and conversations with prominent authors and historians bring the story of this infamous trapper, scout, and soldier to life while illuminating a crucial but seldom-discussed period in American history. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

This edition of the documentary series American Experience charts the life of infamous American outlaw Jesse James and the series of famous crimes he committed with the help of his brother, Frank. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

In the late 1840s San Francisco was little more than a quaint seaside village of 800, and few could have foreseen that remarkable future that fate held in store for sleepy community. Soon after gold was discovered in the American River, however, the rapid growth that followed would alter the course of an entire nation. By early 1854 San Francisco was well on its way to becoming the economic powerhouse that it is today. In this documentary, filmmakers take an informative look back at that crucial era of development with original recreations and rare daguerreotypes that truly transport the viewer back to one of the most vital and transformative eras in American history. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Filmmaker Atom Egoyan -- a longtime onscreen collaborator with the gifted young actress Sarah Polley (The Sweet Hereafter) -- executive-produced Polley's directorial debut, Away from Her, starring Julie Christie, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Murphy, and Wendy Crewson. Adapted by Polley from a short story by Alice Munro, this small-scaled two-character drama concerns Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Christie), a long-married couple, well into their golden years, who are much in love and connected to one another on every level. "Soul mates" in the purest sense of the term, the two feel a sense of ease and tranquility in their rural home. But when Fiona's memory begins to slip away and she insists on being taken to a rest home, the decision stirs up torrents of guilt and regret in Grant's heart. The rules of the center only complicate matters, as they forbid visitation and communication with Fiona for an interminable period of time. He determines to support his wife at all costs, even if must happen at the expense of his own peace of mind. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Celebrated writer and director John Sayles turns his eye to politics in America in this drama. The son of respected Colorado politician Senator Jud Pilager (Michael Murphy), Dicky Pilager (Chris Cooper) is a charming but half-bright man with a bad habit of mangling the English language and a decided lack of political correctness. Dicky is also in the midst of a hard-fought campaign to become governor of Colorado. Dicky's campaign manager, Chuck Raven (Richard Dreyfuss), is a ruthless sort who will leave no stone unturned to see that his candidate wins, so when Dicky snags a dead body while fishing during the shooting of a campaign commercial, Raven is determined to find out if his man has been set up. Raven hires Danny O'Brien (Danny Huston), a former journalist turned private investigator, to find out who the dead man is and if he might be connected to Pilager's enemies. But the deeper O'Brien digs into the matter, the more he finds out about the candidate and his family -- and very little of it is flattering. John Sayles assembled a typically impressive cast for Silver City, with the supporting cast highlighted by Tim Roth, Kris Kristofferson, Maria Bello, Thora Birch, Daryl Hannah, Billy Zane, and Mary Kay Place. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Childstar concerns an egotistical 12-year-old named Taylor who has skyrocketed to fame at that young age. His relationship with his driver, Rick, takes a turn when Taylor confides in him about the problems of celebrity and the fears of his impending teenage years. When Taylor disappears one day, Rick attempts to find the boy and help him through this troubling period. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Documentary filmmakers offer a fascinating look at one of the most spectacular engineering feats of the 19th Century as the story of the Transcontinental Railroad comes to life in a film that's sure to appeal to historians and railroad enthusiasts alike. As legions of tireless workers toiled for six years to realize the vision of shady entrepreneurs and imaginative engineers, the remarkable railway dream slowly became a reality. But not everyone was so pleased with the remarkable achievement. Despite the devastating effect that the tremendous transportation breakthrough would have on the Native American population, the lasting impact of the Transcontinental Railroad on the politics and culture of a rapidly expanding country would forever mark it as an invaluable component of the American success story. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

As America geared itself for another possible armed conflict in Iraq, the HBO cable service offered a dramatization of events surrounding the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Originally telecast on December 8, 2002, Live From Baghdad recounted the efforts by the CNN network to be first on the scene when hostilities broke out in the Gulf in late 1990. Inaugurating round-the-clock coverage of the warfare with the invasion of Kuwait, dauntless CNN producers Robert Wiener (Michael Keaton) and Ingrid Formanek (Helena Bonham Carter), aided and abetted by on-the-scene reporters Bernard Shaw (Robert Wisdom), Peter Arnett (Bruce McGill), and John Holliman (John Carroll Lynch), among many others, represented the only American news service on the scene during the first night of bombing on January 16, 1991. Not only does Live From Baghdad celebrate the heroism (and meticulous fairness) of the CNN crew, but it also vividly demonstrates how a tiny but tenacious basic cable channel managed to out-scoop the Big Three networks, thereby becoming one of the most powerful and influential journalistic forces in the world. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The detectives' investigation of a stabbing murder reveals that the victim, a derelict, served in Vietnam. Following the trail of clues, the authorities learn that the dead man was one of three soldiers who were involved in the same wartime incident. One of these three, a high-ranking municipal official, is clearly harboring an unpleasant secret. Originally scheduled to air on September 26, 2001, this episode was delayed until October 3. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Produced for the Lifetime cable channel, Indiscretion of an American Wife is a remake of Vittorio De Sica's 1953 theatrical feature of the same name. While her diplomat husband (Michael Murphy) is stationed in Rome, neglected wife Julia Burton (Anne Archer) enters into a clandestine romance with dashing Italian vintner Matteo (Andrea Occhipinti). Eventually, her husband is called home -- and during what may or may not be her final rendezvous with Matteo at a Roman railway station, Julia is forced to make a crucial decision about her future, and the future of everyone whom she holds near and dear. Unlike the 1954 American release of the De Sica original, which was cut by 20 minutes for domestic consumption, the remake runs a full 90 minutes, allowing for fuller character development and a less abrupt denouement. However, Anne Archer and Andrea Occhipinti, talented though they may be, are but pale shadows of De Sica's stars, Jennifer Jones and Montgomery Clift. Filmed on location in Italy, this Indiscretion first aired March 9, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide