Is 12 Desperate Hours Based On A True Story? How To Watch 12 Desperate Hours?
by Maivizhi A | Updated Mar 02, 2023
Is 12 Desperate Hours Based On A True Story?
The movie "12 Desperate Hours" draws inspiration from a real-life incident, albeit with some artistic liberties taken. The particular case it depicts is one of the stories covered in author Ann Rule's book "Last Dance, Last Chance," published in 2003. Interestingly, another Ann Rule story served as the inspiration for the recent Lifetime movie "A Rose for Her Grave: The Randy Roth Story."
Based on Ann Rule's Last Chance, Last Dance book on true crime, this Lifetime exclusive narrates the story of Val (Samantha Mathis), a mother who faces a hostage situation along with her young children at the hands of Denny (Harrison Thomas). Denny breaks into her house after committing a murder earlier that day.
To protect her family and husband Mark (David Conrad), who was expected to arrive home shortly, Val proposes to drive Denny wherever he desires and is unwillingly coerced to join him as he unleashes destruction.
Val manages to establish a connection with her captor despite the distressing circumstances and employs this relationship to rescue not only herself but also the lives of onlookers, and even the life of the captor.
How To Watch 12 Desperate Hours?
Even without a basic cable subscription, viewers can still catch the live premiere of the Lifetime movie through Philo, a budget-friendly live-streaming service that provides access to over 60 live channels at just $25 per month.
In addition to Lifetime, Philo offers a variety of popular channels such as Hallmark, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET, and many others.
Is 12 Desperate Hours A Real Story?
According to the source, the narrative portrays the ordeal of a mother and her young children who become hostages to a man who invades their home after committing murder on the same day. This story is part of Ann Rule's collection of true crime stories, Last Dance, Last Chance and Other True Cases: Crime Files Vol. 8, which is an emotionally gripping book.
It all started with heartache and envy, but ultimately ended in a tragic murder that left a profound impact for many years to come. As per Justia filings, in 1963, Joan Marlatt ended her relationship with Gary Lee Quinlivan due to his physical abuse and refusal to work.
The story starts on Christmas when Val (played by Samantha Mathis) plans a date with her husband Mark (played by David Conrad), who is working late to earn more money. Their children, Parker and Spencer, are at home during their winter break and chatting about their lives when someone knocks on the door.
It turns out to be Denny (played by Harrison Thomas), who enters the house with a shotgun and orders them to the living room. Despite the tense situation, Denny even makes lunch for the family and talks to the children. Val tries to understand Denny's motives and offers to drive him wherever he wants to go, promising not to inform the police. Mark arrives home early and learns about the hostage situation, but the police don't take immediate action since several hours have passed since Val was taken.
12 Desperate Hours Ending Explained
Denny takes Val to his ex-girlfriend's residence, but they discover that she isn't there. Instead, they meet her mother, Francine, who doesn't seem frightened or surprised by Denny's shotgun. As they depart, Denny expresses a desire to shoot Francine, but Val convinces him that such an action won't assist him in winning back his ex-girlfriend.Denny takes Val to his ex-girlfriend's residence, but they discover that she isn't there. Instead, they meet her mother, Francine, who doesn't seem frightened or surprised by Denny's shotgun. As they depart, Denny expresses a desire to shoot Francine, but Val convinces him that such an action won't assist him in winning back his ex-girlfriend.
Next, they go to a bowling alley where Denny hopes to locate Cherie, but she is also absent. Val requests that she be allowed to make a phone call to reassure her children that she is unharmed. While Denny is preoccupied searching for Cherie, Val smashes a bowling ball onto his foot and flees. However, upon reaching the car, she discovers that the keys are in Denny's pocket.
Ultimately, the authorities locate him, and he directs his anger towards Val, blaming her for his predicament, and makes an attempt to harm her. However, Val persuades him that she doesn't want to perish there and manages to reason with him. As a result, he throws away his weapon, and the police take him into custody.
On Christmas Day, Val visits him in prison and questions him about the motive behind the murder of her ex-girlfriend's mother. However, he remains silent, and the film concludes.
12 Desperate Hours Filming Locations
‘12 Desperate Hours’ was filmed entirely in West Virginia, particularly in Fairmont. The principal photography for the Lifetime movie commenced in August 2022 and wrapped up within 15 days of filming. All the sequences for ‘12 Desperate Hours’ were lensed in and around Fairmont, a city in and county seat of West Virginia’s Marion County. From the looks of it, the filming unit set up camp at various sites across the city to record different interior and exterior scenes against suitable backdrops. The film’s crew also used one of the local jails of the city where a few of the scenes of the film were shot.
Is 12 Desperate Hours Based On A True Story - FAQs
Yes, it is based on a real story.
Based on Ann Rule's Last Chance, Last Dance book on true crime, the story of 12 desperate hours could be driven.
‘12 Desperate Hours’ was filmed entirely in West Virginia, particularly in Fairmont.
The role of Val was played by Samantha Mathis
The book "Last Dance, Last Chance," was published in 2003.