Dead Silence

About Dead Silence

Dead Silence is a 1997 television film based on the novel “A Maiden’s Grave” written by Jeffery Deaver, directed by Daniel Petrie Jr. The story spins around a group of escaped convicts who take a mixed group of deaf and hearing students hostage. However, they didn’t realize that one of the deaf girls is a lip-reader. The movie explores thriller and crime genres as it spirals relentlessly along its path, delivering suspense and havoc.

Making / Production

Produced by Crystal Sky Communications in association with Le Monde and Avnet/Kerner Productions, Dead Silence was directed by Daniel Petrie Jr. with screenplay by Tim Metcalfe. Petrie Jr. does an impeccable job of maintaining the suspense throughout the film.

Actors

• James Garner as John Potter - He plays the negotiator from the police department and his calm demeanor forms the perfect foil to the tense situation.
• Kim Coates as Theodore 'Ted' Handy - Coates creates an impressive menace as the main antagonist of the film.
• Marlee Matlin as Melanie Charrol - Matlin, a deaf actress in real life, utilizes her unique skills to portray a deaf character who turns out to be the key to the resolution of the situation.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is based on the book 'A Maiden’s Grave' by bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, who is known for his crime novels.
• Marlee Matlin, who portrays the deaf character Melanie, is actually deaf in real life.
• James Garner’s character, John Potter, uses sign language to communicate with Melanie in several scenes which increases the authenticity of the plot.

Quotes

• John Potter: "We got a death wish, Handy?"
• Ted Handy: "You can't even save yourself!"
• Melanie Charrol: "I can read lips. I can read yours."

Music - Soundtrack

• The musical score for Dead Silence was composed by Stewart Copeland, who added an intense ambiance to the film with his composition.