The Runaway (2000)

A Hallmark Hall of Fame drama set in 1940s Georgia, where two boyhood friends and a determined sheriff confront a town's darkest secrets.

The Runaway - Movie Information

  • Original Title: The Runaway
  • Release Year: 2000
  • Directed by: Arthur Allan Seidelman
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: TV Movie
  • Runtime: 1h 40m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): December 10, 2000
  • Production Companies: Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
  • Production Countries: United States of America

The Runaway - Plot

At the birth of two boys, one white and one black, a mysterious and powerful Conjure Woman (Maya Angelou) prophesies that they will start the change. Growing up as best friends in rural Georgia in the 1940s, the boys make a discovery that leads the town's new sheriff, Frank Richards (Dean Cain), to reopen the investigation of the unsolved murders of three black men. While the town would prefer that the truth remain hidden, the sheriff pursues the case, determined to see justice prevail. The Runaway is a stirring story of how friendship, determination and conviction can generate racial change in one heart or an entire town.

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The Runaway - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Arthur Allan Seidelman

Main Cast

  • Dean Cain
  • Debbi Morgan
  • Pat Hingle
  • Kathryn Erbe
  • Cliff DeYoung
  • Roxanne Hart
  • Duane McLaughlin
  • Charles Black
  • Tyler Long
  • Afemo Omilami

The Runaway - FAQs

Where can you stream The Runaway (2000)?

The Runaway (2000) is available to stream on several platforms in the US, including Philo and Plex (free with ads). It is also accessible through the Hallmark+ Amazon Channel, Hallmark+ Apple TV Channel, and the Hallmark TV Amazon Channel as part of their subscription packages.

What role does Maya Angelou play in The Runaway?

Maya Angelou plays the Conjure Woman, a mysterious and prophetic figure who, at the birth of two boys — one white, one Black — foretells that they will bring about racial change. Her presence frames the film's moral and spiritual dimensions, lending it significant cultural and symbolic weight.

Is The Runaway (2000) based on a true story?

The Runaway is not based on a single documented true story, but it draws on the broader historical reality of racial injustice in the American South during the 1940s. The film reflects real patterns of racial violence and the suppression of justice that characterized that era in rural communities.

Who are the main actors in The Runaway?

The film stars Dean Cain as Sheriff Frank Richards, Debbi Morgan as Reba Monroe, Pat Hingle as Avery, Kathryn Erbe as Evelyn Carnes, and Cliff DeYoung as Harlan Davis. Maya Angelou also appears in a pivotal supporting role as the Conjure Woman.

What is The Runaway (2000) about?

Set in 1940s rural Georgia, the film follows two childhood friends — one white, one Black — whose discovery prompts a new sheriff to reopen cold-case murders of Black men. Despite community resistance, he pursues justice in a story about friendship, moral courage, and the possibility of racial change.

Who directed The Runaway (2000)?

The Runaway was directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman, a television director known for his work on numerous Hallmark and made-for-TV productions. The film was produced under the prestigious Hallmark Hall of Fame banner, which has a long tradition of socially conscious dramatic storytelling.

When was The Runaway first broadcast?

The Runaway premiered on December 10, 2000. It was produced by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions and aired as a television movie in the United States, continuing the Hallmark Hall of Fame tradition of presenting quality, character-driven dramatic films for broadcast audiences.

How long is The Runaway (2000)?

The Runaway has a runtime of approximately 100 minutes, or 1 hour and 40 minutes. As a Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie, it delivers a complete, self-contained dramatic narrative within that timeframe, making it an accessible single-sitting viewing experience.

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