‘A Mother’s Escape’: Lifetime’s ‘Great Plains’ Movie Is Loosely Inspired By Oklahoma Producer’s True Story
A Mother’s Escape is a thought-provoking and exciting new film that will premiere this Sunday on Lifetime Movie Network (LMN). Known formerly as The Great Plains, A Mother’s Escape follows a mother who is a fugitive from the law after she kidnaps her own son to protect him from his abusive adoptive father. Lifetime Movie Network’s A Mother’s Escape is directed by Blair Hayes and written by Mike Bencivenga and Blair Hayes. It is inspired by true events. The stars of the film, according to the Internet Movie Database, are Beth Grant, Tara Buck, and Billy Blair.
My new movie will premiere at Dead Center Film Festival, Friday June 10th. #GreatPlains pic.twitter.com/UttADEsSGk
— Tara Buck (@iamtarabuck) May 25, 2016
Synopsis: A Mother’s Escape On Lifetime Movie Network
Murel, an Oklahoma mom, has had her ups and downs, but the one thing she knows for sure is that she is a good mother who wants nothing but the best for her child. Struggling with her own demons, Murel has been misused and abused her whole life, but after she learns that her 7-year-old son, Kipp, is being abused at the hands of his alcoholic father, she takes matters into her own hands by packing their bags and heading to California.
Once Kipp and Murel arrive at the home of her aunt Tess, they can breathe a sigh of relief. Tess and Murel have had a complicated relationship, but her aunt loves them and wants to help in any way she can. Soon, Kipp and Murel head out on a road trip, where they meet a slew of interesting and colorful characters that will impact their lives in some way.
Being a good mother who protects her son is one thing, but Murel is now a wanted fugitive since her husband contacted the police and reported Kipp missing. Still, she risks it all to provide a safe place for her son, while at the same time, wanting justice for them both.
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Lifetime Movie Network viewers are in for a real treat with A Mother’s Escape. The subject matter, though a bit depressing, is timely and socially conscious.
Viewers will enjoy the Oklahoma skyline and the beautiful scenery that is seen throughout the movie. According to News Oklahoma, the producers wanted the movie’s backdrop to be filmed in Oklahoma, stating that it was nearly impossible to get the wide open space and the red dirt anywhere else. Kristofer McNeeley stated the following.
“Bringing ‘Great Plains’ back to Oklahoma was the only choice for this film.”
In addition to the film’s visuals, A Mother’s Escape, aka Great Plains, has a rugged and realistic story line with a natural feel to it that audiences will enjoy.
The story feels real because it is loosely inspired, in part, by Kristofer McNeeley, one of the producers of the film. In an interview with Podcat’s Intersections, Kristofer McNeeley revealed that his own father was a “tormented alcoholic,” but he was also a good man. The part of the film that depicts sexual abuse was inspired by one of his mother’s husbands. According to Kristofer McNeeley, his mother, whom he describes as good and loving, was unaware of what was happening, and McNeeley states that he was afraid to come forward because he feared being taken away from his mother. You can listen to the entire podcast here.
https://www.facebook.com/CircleCinema/photos/gm.510123579183080/10154944451611393/?type=3&permPage=1
The Polly Klaas Foundation provides the following facts about parental abductions.
- Each year over 200,000 children are kidnapped by a family member. This is many more children than are kidnapped by strangers.
- Many custodial parents are not aware that parental kidnapping can happen.
Most parental abductions occur for the following reasons, according to The Polly Klaas Foundation
- To force a reconciliation or continued interaction with the left-behind parent.
- To spite or punish the other parent.
- From fear of losing custody or visitation rights.
- In rare cases, to protect the child from a parent who is perceived to molest, abuse, or neglect the child.
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Tune into A Mother’s Escape this Saturday, October 1, at 8/7 p.m. Central on Lifetime Movie Network (LMN). Also debuting this weekend is the movie, My Husband Is Missing, which will air on Lifetime.
[Featured Image by Radoslaw Lecyk/Shutterstock]
