The People vs. Jean Harris

The People vs. Jean Harris is a 1981 American courtroom drama television film directed and produced by George Schaefer. The screenplay, written by George Lefferts, is based on a transcript of the trial of Jean Harris, who was convicted of murdering her ex-lover Herman Tarnower. The film stars Ellen Burstyn as Harris, with Martin Balsam, Richard Dysart, and Peter Coyote in supporting roles.

The People vs. Jean Harris
Written byGeorge Lefferts
Directed byGeorge Schaefer
Starring
Narrated byMillie Slavin
ComposerBrad Fiedel
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerPaul Klein
ProducerGeorge Schaefer
Editors
  • Danny White
  • Harold McKenzie
Running time147 minutes
Production companyPKO Television
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseMay 7 (1981-05-07) –
May 8, 1981 (1981-05-08)

The People vs. Jean Harris originally aired in two parts on NBC on May 7 and 8, 1981. For her performance, Burstyn was nominated for her first Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Cast

Production

Producer Paul Klein, who founded PKO Television, based The People vs. Jean Harris on the actual transcripts from the trial of Jean Harris. He presented the concept to NBC four days before Mrs. Harris was found guilty, on February 24, 1981.[1]

Principal photography began on March 20, 1981, meaning that the entire process, including casting and creating the 360-page screenplay from 10,000 pages of transcript, took less than eight weeks. The film was shot and set entirely in the courtroom.[1]

Reception

Critical response

John J. O'Connor of The New York Times praised Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of Harris, calling it "a thoroughly absorbing, incredibly modulated performance." He also wrote, "Within the context of the script written by George Lefferts and of the scrupulously unflashy direction by George Schaefer, the verdict of guilty is not only understandable but inevitable."[2]

Portrayal of Jean Harris

After watching the first televised segment of the film, Harris was reported by people who have seen her to be unhappy with Burstyn's portrayal of her. Harris was said to have felt that although the actress represented her sympathetically, it was also a portrayal that lacked the sharp edges and brisk exchanges of her eight days as a witness.[3]

Prosecutor George Bolen said, "I don't think the Mrs. Harris at the trial was the Mrs. Harris portrayed on television", and an assistant district attorney said, "Mrs. Harris was very proud, cocky, even snobbish. If she was as Ellen Burstyn portrayed her, things might have turned out differently."[3] In addition, Bolen felt that "The People vs. Jean Harris was an accurate but sometimes boring portrayal of the trial" and "Mrs. Harris was portrayed a certain way in the media with certain insights into her character."[4]

Accolades
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
1981 33rd Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special Ellen Burstyn Nominated [5]
Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction and Electronic Camerawork George Falardeau, Royden Holm, Reed Howard, O. Tamburri Nominated
1982 39th Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film Ellen Burstyn Nominated [6]

References
  1. Schwartz, Tony (May 2, 1981). "TV NOTEBOOK; DRAMA BASED ON THE JEAN HARRIS TRIAL". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  2. O'Connor, John J. (May 7, 1981). "TV: THE MURDER TRIAL OF JEAN HARRIS IS DRAMATIZED". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  3. Feron, James (May 9, 1981). "PORTRAYAL ON TV REPORTEDLY DISPLEASES JEAN HARRIS". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  4. Berlage, Randall V. (May 9, 1981). "'The People vs. Jean Harris' was an accurate but..." United Press International. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  5. "People vs. Jean Harris". Television Academy. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  6. "People Vs. Jean Harris, The". Golden Globes. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
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