Ellen Burstyn is such a great actress. There’s never gonna be anyone quite like her. She’s so good at these tragic figures that you just can’t help but feel so much sorrow and empathy for.
Well, two things I do not understand as a lawyer. First, at about 1:20, the prosecutor asks her about a letter she sent to the doctor, which she describes. He then asks the defence lawyer for the letter. It is a basic part of the pre-trial process that all documents are traded in Dicovery/disclosure. hence, he would already have had the letter. He knew of it, its details and questioned her on direct about it. so, why would he need to ask the defense for a copy? Second, he then introduces what he calls a 'surprise witness'. That is a massive no-no in any trial. Both parties trade witness lists and are able to see and know what the witness is expected to say so that they can both prepare for direct and cross-examination of the witness. A surprise witness would be disallowed in the way it is shown here. The word used is ambush and that is never permitted. Both sides, in order to have equality of arms as the law guarantees for fairness, would be fully aware of every item of evidence or possible witness. Maybe this is just a dramatisation but it is meant to be based on the known facts and neither of these things would be allowed.
I’m not a lawyer, but watch many trials. Yes, all ‘evidence’, or any type of documents or videos, need to be given to both parties long before the trial, or else it can be a mistrial for either side. Plus, I was thinking the exact thing. “Surprise witnesses” are NEVER allowed except maybe in a movie. Sounded like a fake Perry Mason moment. Knowing that (possibly) happened for ‘real’, makes me question if the trial back then was made up for a ‘headline’ and to draw the attention away from something else happening governmental, (or behind the scenes), to the country at that time. 🤔 It happens even now… a LOT!
Brad Fiedel, the composer who went to on score many stunning projects. Like the first "Terminator" movies, "True Lies", "Fright Night" and more. For the Emmy-nominated TV movie "The People vs. Jean Harris" aired on NBC in 5/7/1981, his musical score as composer made an extraordinary contribution. Most of the crew who worked on the 1981 TV movie for the first time and they are: conductor Shirley Walker, violinist Ross Levinson, music editor Allan K. Rosen, associate music editor Patty von Arx and scoring mixer Tim Boyle.
I attended some of this trial and was fascinated by the incompetence of the Harrison Police Dept. They tainted evidence, particularly the gun, and one of the officers made a phone call from the bedroom phone which had blood on it. I remember him being questioned as to why he used the bloodied phone and he answered that he was told to make a phone call. The defense attorney wiped the floor with him for using the bloodied phone instead of another phone in the house.
Great film very interesting! Thank you for sharing this. I love older film. Peter looks so young here. Jean Harris was a great documentary movie. Watch the whole movie. Thank you!
The Washington Post article on Jean Harris reads very similar to Betty Broderick's case in that Jean was used and discarded by a man she loved, then taunted and humiliated by his much younger, new lover. However, in no way does this excuse their actions.
No, it doesn't. What's worse, it doesn't even give men pause. The prosecutor stood there in court and declared Tarnower a "decent man," because his conduct and treatment of women is accepted and considered the norm. Men will continue to use, abuse, and discard women because there are many sad women like Jean Harris who allow it. Even if more women ended it the way she did, I doubt it would serve as a deterrent. I agree that the prosecution did not prove its case, Jean's attorney should not have allowed her to testify. She won in the end. She lived a long productive life, and was a positive influence. May she rest in peace.
And Betty Broderick & Jean Harris both claimed they went to the crime scenes to kill themselves. Unfortunately people who are suicidal can also be homicidal. Both women had significant psychiatric issues. Dr. Tarnower got Jean hooked on a drug, I think speed or something.
I remember Jean Harris' story & the televised/print news re: the Madera School for Girls, but have never before seen this film. Thank you, so much, for sharing! (So good to see Richard Dyshart in his role as the judge).
42:58 ADA Boland added 5# to (deceased) Dr Tarnowner's weight (175# vs 170# as previously stated during opening arguments) and subtracted 5# from Jean Harris' weight (110# vs 115# as previously stated during same)
I believe she did murder him and deserved to go to prison. With that being said i also believe the doctor was a shlep, used her up then threw her away like trash.
I agree with you. Whether Jean Harris could ever admit it to herself or not, she went there to kill him. Tarnower and Triforos sound like they deserved each other. He was incapable of loving anyone and Jean Harris threw herself away on an asshole for fourteen years. What a waste!
Sad that women ruin their lives over these sh**** men. I got close here & there. But I moved on & got myself together. I realized that love of men is not as important as loving myself. It’s an addiction to some degree. 🙏🌈🌺🌼
Why did she go up to his room in the middle of the night with a gun anyway? I kmow she was depressed but why did an intelligent woman like her did not seek help elsewhere?!
Had Thanksgiving in her former residence 1980. There was something I read, somewhere, than caused me to believe she was wrongfully convicted...but, this indeed is a "man's world". Will hope for a better place on the other side.
I love how men are judging her here in the end. It’s always the way. The prosecution would have you believe, they know exactly what was happening, in her mind, & in that bedroom! It is however, precisely because, men are not that intuitive, that Mr. Tarnower, found himself, ending up dead! 🤷🏼♀️ Be very careful, whose heart you break! 🤷🏼♀️✌🏼🇨🇦
errrr if the prosecution performs discovery correctly, there are no surprise witnesses. He failed to allow the defense to prepare correctly for the case.
Unrequited love can take one by surprise. I was going through it also, during these same years, but I was a lot younger than she was. With a lot less to lose, I chalked it up to experience and bounced back, becoming a little older, wiser and not to be fooled again, type of woman. I hope she helped other women with some of their problems while she was in prison. I don't doubt the doctor was a narcissist, sadist and perhaps, probably got some of what he asked for. Karma's a bitch, as they say!
Ellen B was brilliant as always and most of the actors were good, with exceptions especially with the opening "testimony" of the housekeeper which almost preventied 😮me from continuing to watch this very long video. Her accent was not believable. Just an observation and I regret anything hurtful to an individual. Does that statement strike anyone else as valid?
Perception - general perception of what a brilliant woman so in love is capable of - this tips evem an impartial jury against a brilliant woman cuz its so opposite feeling sorry for a helpless woman. This perception for a brilliant man is the opposite. Jean Harris garnered no sympathy because of her brilliance; jury didnt feel sorry for her. She wasnt prosecuted baeed on facts, cuz they were just too ambiguous and prosecution failed to prove any guilt bwyond shadow of and doubt.
TRUE LOVE LETS GO. MOVE ON after an engagement/marriage break up. Otherwise the UNREPENTANT disloyal/unfaithful one will CONTINUE to USE & ABUSE & DUMP .... times enough leading to useless murder/death & imprisonment. NOT worth it .... as true love lets go.
Notice the discussion at 4 minutes 28 seconds the judge and lawyers talk about the cross the witness is wearing. The one lawyer wanted the witness to remove it but the judge said no I am not going to have her remove it. Irony above the judge it reads on the wall IN GOD WE TRUST
I lost interest as soon as I heard that the judge worked his way up . Should have said that he knew certain people and kissed the right ass 's and white privilege and being appointed to the position was the reason he was there ! As was the way things were openly done during those times . So this is what entertainment has been reduced to in the age of social media . Bullshit !
Ellen Burstyn is such a great actress. There’s never gonna be anyone quite like her. She’s so good at these tragic figures that you just can’t help but feel so much sorrow and empathy for.
Thanks so much for uploading this. I watch everything I can with Ellen Burstyn.
What in interesting film ! so much like a real trial , the acting is superbe . Ellen Burstyn is magnificent as always . Thank you for sharing .
"There are so many enemies and so few friends. I was a person.... and no one ever knew".
Very sad.
Thanks for posting
fantastic movie so well acted love these oldies thank you so much for the upload
Thanks for this extraordinary documentary. I've looking for this story for years.
Thanks so much for posting this!
Well, two things I do not understand as a lawyer. First, at about 1:20, the prosecutor asks her about a letter she sent to the doctor, which she describes. He then asks the defence lawyer for the letter. It is a basic part of the pre-trial process that all documents are traded in Dicovery/disclosure. hence, he would already have had the letter. He knew of it, its details and questioned her on direct about it. so, why would he need to ask the defense for a copy? Second, he then introduces what he calls a 'surprise witness'. That is a massive no-no in any trial. Both parties trade witness lists and are able to see and know what the witness is expected to say so that they can both prepare for direct and cross-examination of the witness. A surprise witness would be disallowed in the way it is shown here. The word used is ambush and that is never permitted. Both sides, in order to have equality of arms as the law guarantees for fairness, would be fully aware of every item of evidence or possible witness. Maybe this is just a dramatisation but it is meant to be based on the known facts and neither of these things would be allowed.
I’m not a lawyer, but watch many trials. Yes, all ‘evidence’, or any type of documents or videos, need to be given to both parties long before the trial, or else it can be a mistrial for either side. Plus, I was thinking the exact thing. “Surprise witnesses” are NEVER allowed except maybe in a movie. Sounded like a fake Perry Mason moment. Knowing that (possibly) happened for ‘real’, makes me question if the trial back then was made up for a ‘headline’ and to draw the attention away from something else happening governmental, (or behind the scenes), to the country at that time. 🤔 It happens even now… a LOT!
Brad Fiedel, the composer who went to on score many stunning projects. Like the first "Terminator" movies, "True Lies", "Fright Night" and more. For the Emmy-nominated TV movie "The People vs. Jean Harris" aired on NBC in 5/7/1981, his musical score as composer made an extraordinary contribution. Most of the crew who worked on the 1981 TV movie for the first time and they are: conductor Shirley Walker, violinist Ross Levinson, music editor Allan K. Rosen, associate music editor Patty von Arx and scoring mixer Tim Boyle.
I attended some of this trial and was fascinated by the incompetence of the Harrison Police Dept. They tainted evidence, particularly the gun, and one of the officers made a phone call from the bedroom phone which had blood on it. I remember him being questioned as to why he used the bloodied phone and he answered that he was told to make a phone call. The defense attorney wiped the floor with him for using the bloodied phone instead of another phone in the house.
Great film very interesting! Thank you for sharing this. I love older film. Peter looks so young here. Jean Harris was a great documentary movie. Watch the whole movie. Thank you!
IMO, Jean Harris was her own worst enemy in a lot of ways at her trial...
Love your channel!!!
Ellen Byrstyn is a great actress!!!!
Very enjoyable film, Ellen Burstyn is so brilliant. 🤩
awesome, thank you
Toxic relationship indeed
Thanks. I never thought I’d see this when I read about it in her book. Never knew much about this case.
Great channel!!
The Washington Post article on Jean Harris reads very similar to Betty Broderick's case in that Jean was used and discarded by a man she loved, then taunted and humiliated by his much younger, new lover.
However, in no way does this excuse their actions.
No, it doesn't. What's worse, it doesn't even give men pause. The prosecutor stood there in court and declared Tarnower a "decent man," because his conduct and treatment of women is accepted and considered the norm. Men will continue to use, abuse, and discard women because there are many sad women like Jean Harris who allow it. Even if more women ended it the way she did, I doubt it would serve as a deterrent. I agree that the prosecution did not prove its case, Jean's attorney should not have allowed her to testify. She won in the end. She lived a long productive life, and was a positive influence. May she rest in peace.
And Betty Broderick & Jean Harris both claimed they went to the crime scenes to kill themselves. Unfortunately people who are suicidal can also be homicidal. Both women had significant psychiatric issues. Dr. Tarnower got Jean hooked on a drug, I think speed or something.
A little known movie with a great cast. Ellen Burstyn was incredible.
Annette Benning did a version of this in the film “Mrs. Harris.”
I remember well this event and the ensuing trial. Sad.
I remember Jean Harris' story & the televised/print news re: the Madera School for Girls, but have never before seen this film. Thank you, so much, for sharing! (So good to see Richard Dyshart in his role as the judge).
Thank you so much , I love Ellen Burstyn, she is from Detroit Mi.
Thank you soso much!!
Excellent, really engaging!
Enjoyed the movie .thanks for sharing your channel 😀 👍🏼 😊
Ellen Burstyn is such a wonderful and amazing actress... wow what a performance! 🤗
42:58 ADA Boland added 5# to (deceased) Dr Tarnowner's weight (175# vs 170# as previously stated during opening arguments) and subtracted 5# from Jean Harris' weight (110# vs 115# as previously stated during same)
Why do these women get so overwrought to such men as these they are not married to ? Dump them and get on with life.
I believe she did murder him and deserved to go to prison. With that being said i also believe the doctor was a shlep, used her up then threw her away like trash.
I agree with you. Whether Jean Harris could ever admit it to herself or not, she went there to kill him. Tarnower and Triforos sound like they deserved each other. He was incapable of loving anyone and Jean Harris threw herself away on an asshole for fourteen years. What a waste!
He also made her a drug addict - to speed - for 10 years then cut off her supply. So Mrs Harris was in a compromised state in more ways than one.
WOW THE ACTING WAS FANTASTIC !!! NOT THE SAME ANY MORE!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Sad that women ruin their lives over these sh**** men. I got close here & there. But I moved on & got myself together. I realized that love of men is not as important as loving myself. It’s an addiction to some degree. 🙏🌈🌺🌼
What happened to Jean Harris? Was she granted parole after 15 years? Did she die in prison?
Governor Cuomo pardoned her. She died in an assisted living facility in 2012
She was commuted & released due to health problems but she lived to 89 years old.
How is this film related to Joan Crawford?
Where does it say this is related to Joan Crawford?
TheConcludingChapterofCrawford 🤜✋🎤
Why did she go up to his room in the middle of the night with a gun anyway? I kmow she was depressed but why did an intelligent woman like her did not seek help elsewhere?!
She was obsessed with him to some degree. He was probably a narcissist & strung her along
" I WAS A PERSON, AND NOBODY EVER KNEW " 😢
Such a powerful statement, from a strong endearing passionate devoted woman 😢
Had Thanksgiving in her former residence 1980. There was something I read, somewhere, than caused me to believe she was wrongfully convicted...but, this indeed is a "man's world". Will hope for a better place on the other side.
2:55 he's 47 years old? Wow, he's had a hard life! The actor, Martin Balsam, was actually in his 60s. lol
I remember this!!!
This was great watching
I love how men are judging her here in the end. It’s always the way. The prosecution would have you believe, they know exactly what was happening, in her mind, & in that bedroom! It is however, precisely because, men are not that intuitive, that Mr. Tarnower, found himself, ending up dead! 🤷🏼♀️ Be very careful, whose heart you break! 🤷🏼♀️✌🏼🇨🇦
jean harris was the headmistress at my high school lol
Wow! Did she seem nice?
That judge was 49? Must be tough work.
If he's 49 I'm the Pope! LOL
Great movie ! Have seen it many times !
The first witness with the German accent did such a corny overacting job, she reminded me of Mama on the old Carol Burnett show.
Wonderful acting.
hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
In all the years I've heard about the Scarsdale diet, I thought they were talking about Scarsdale in Toronto, Ontario. lol
Very good movie.
Jean Harris in a good film would have a great role for St Joan Crawford.
This movie is what you should watch even when you are on the wrong side. Chances are you win.
errrr if the prosecution performs discovery correctly, there are no surprise witnesses. He failed to allow the defense to prepare correctly for the case.
Peter Coyote sounds a lot like Henry Fonda without the drawl.
And Lol to the “who shot JR”!!
Wow! Awesome judge! Love him!..✌🏼🇨🇦
She WAS NOT GUILTY IF I`m one of those stupid juries...!!!
Unrequited love can take one by surprise. I was going through it also, during these same years, but I was a lot younger than she was. With a lot less to lose, I chalked it up to experience and bounced back, becoming a little older, wiser and not to be fooled again, type of woman. I hope she helped other women with some of their problems while she was in prison. I don't doubt the doctor was a narcissist, sadist and perhaps, probably got some of what he asked for. Karma's a bitch, as they say!
Ellen B was brilliant as always and most of the actors were good, with exceptions especially with the opening "testimony" of the housekeeper which almost preventied 😮me from continuing to watch this very long video. Her accent was not believable. Just an observation and I regret anything hurtful to an individual. Does that statement strike anyone else as valid?
Perception - general perception of what a brilliant woman so in love is capable of - this tips evem an impartial jury against a brilliant woman cuz its so opposite feeling sorry for a helpless woman. This perception for a brilliant man is the opposite. Jean Harris garnered no sympathy because of her brilliance; jury didnt feel sorry for her. She wasnt prosecuted baeed on facts, cuz they were just too ambiguous and prosecution failed to prove any guilt bwyond shadow of and doubt.
TRUE LOVE LETS GO. MOVE ON after an engagement/marriage break up. Otherwise the UNREPENTANT disloyal/unfaithful one will CONTINUE to USE & ABUSE & DUMP .... times enough leading to useless murder/death & imprisonment. NOT worth it .... as true love lets go.
It would have been very interesting to know what went on in the jury room. _"We the Jury"_ gives some insights
ua-cam.com/video/IkuW6BOv4bc/v-deo.html
Harris as portrayed by Ellen Burnstyn comes across as a woman obsessed, controlling and calculating. Her attention to details is laboriously pedantic.
Notice the discussion at 4 minutes 28 seconds the judge and lawyers talk about the cross the witness is wearing. The one lawyer wanted the witness to remove it but the judge said no I am not going to have her remove it. Irony above the judge it reads on the wall IN GOD WE TRUST
Judge was 43. Ha.
I lost interest as soon as I heard that the judge worked his way up . Should have said that he knew certain people and kissed the right ass 's and white privilege and being appointed to the position was the reason he was there ! As was the way things were openly done during those times . So this is what entertainment has been reduced to in the age of social media . Bullshit !