Roald Dahl Retrospective Episode 5: Breaking Point (1989)

Published: June 1, 2020, 5 p.m.

In this episode of the Roald Dahl Retrospective, Patricia and Arun discuss about the 1989 TNT TV movie Breaking Point starring Corbin Bernsen, Joanna Pacula, and John Glover. Breaking Point is a remake to the 1965 war thriller 36 Hours, which was based on a 1944 short story called Beware of the Dog. The plot takes place during World War II where a U.S major named Jefferson Pike learns about the plans of the battle of Normandy from the army. But the Germans captured and tortured Pike so they can get the information and outsmart the Americans. Pike falls into unconsciousness until a doctor named Walter Gerber and his assistant Anna tell him that he was in a coma, had amnesia for 2 years, the war is over, and his wife died from a head concussion. Pike is suspicious of this statement while warming up to Anna, who looks exactly like his wife. Should Pike trust Gerber and Anna or is there more than what it seems?  

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Breaking Point was only aired exclusively in the U.S on TNT and was released on VHS. However, it was completely forgotten over time and whenever it's mentioned in the list of Roald Dahl adaptations, it's brought up as a footnote to being a remake of 36 Hours and nothing else. It is noteworthy for being the first remake of a Roald Dahl story. What did Patricia and Arun think of Breaking Point compared to 36 Hours? Is it better than the original or is there a reason why no one remembers it? Listen and find out.

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