John Heard, Mel Harris, David Morse

"Grade a… Well acted, compelling…" – PEOPLE

"Cross of Fire," an explosive true story of romance, murder and revenge set in the turbulent 20’s, creates a unique event which draws upon the past to comment on the present. Based on the true and powerful account of the rise and fall of Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon D.C. Stephenson (John Heard), a man whose quest for power led him to corruption, cruelty and a desperate passion for an unattainable woman, Madge Oberholtzer (Mel Harris).

When Stephenson becomes frustrated in his attempts to seduce Madge, he forcefully abducts, tortures, rapes and Cross of Fire kills her. Her death leads to a bitter trial, during which a small town prosecutor (David Morse) challenges the state’s most brilliant defense4 attorney (Lloyd Bridges).

Desperate to clear his name, Stephenson implicates his own Klan supporters and a number of local politicians. His ensuing conviction marks the beginning of the decline of the Klan’s terrifying influences across the nation.

Starring JOHN HEARD, MEL HARRIS, DAVID MORSE, GEORGE DZUNDZA, DONALD MOFFAT, KIM HUNTER and LLOYD BRIDGES as Eph Inman. Production Designer BARBARA DUNPHY. Director of Photography RON LAUTORE. Original Music by BILL COLDSTEIN. Edited by CHRISTOPHER COOKE. Casting by MOLLY LOPATA. Associate producer ARDYTHE GOERGENS. Co-Producers JOEL FIELDS & LARRY MASCOTT. Produced by RON GILBERT. Executive Producer LEONARD HILL. Written by ROBERT CRAIS. Directed by PAUL WENDKOS.