Rating: NR
Genre:
Crime
Release Date: 05/15/2004
Dubbed: English/Espanol
Sound: DD2
Run Time: 240 min
Distributor/Studio: Studio Works
Based on a true story,
The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer concerns the notorious
Ira Einhorn, a political activist turned murder suspect who eluded Philadelphia police for nearly 20 years. In 1968, Texas-born
Holly Maddux (
Naomi Watts) left home to attend Bryn Mawr College, and two years later she made the acquaintance of
Einhorn (
Kevin Anderson), a community organizer and activist well known for leading peaceful crusades and as the key figure in Philadelphia's radical community.
Holly and
Ira became romantically involved, but, despite his public image, behind closed doors
Einhorn was often abusive and manipulative, though
Holly, for her own reasons, accepted his poor treatment and infidelity. In 1977,
Holly had reached the end of her rope and told friends she was leaving
Ira, intending to return to their apartment only to collect her belongings. She was not seen again for several months, until her corpse was found stuffed in a trunk in
Ira's apartment.
Einhorn was arrested in connection with the crime, but was released on bail, only to flee the country, surfacing in France four years later. Convicted 'in absentia' for
Holly's murder in 1993,
Einhorn was extradited to the United States in 1997 under the condition he receive a new trial.
The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer was produced for
NBC Television, and was first aired as a two-part miniseries in May 1999.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide