'Miranda's Victim,' Filmed In Middletown, Red Bank, Unveiled Saturday

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Remember when the movie "Miranda's Victim" filmed throughout Middletown, Red Bank and West Long Branch last summer?

Well, the movie will be released in theaters next Friday, October 6. And the studio is hosting a special advance screening this Saturday night, Sept. 30 at Monmouth University. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with "cast members and special guests." If you want to attend, tickets range from $100 to $150 and are on sale at the Monmouth University Box Office.

It's unknown which actors will be there Saturday night, but some major A-listers were in the movie, including Donald Sutherland, Luke Wilson, Abigail Breslin, Andy Garcia and Ryan Phillippe.

The cocktail hour and screening will be held in Monmouth University's striking Great Hall, which is featured prominently in the film.

"We're filming a lot at Monmouth University, which is a historic site, to recreate Arizona in 1963," said Middletown resident George Kolber, who co-wrote the story with Richard Lasser and J. Craig Stiles. "Since the events takes place from 1963-1976, we will be able to use unique venues provided by Middletown, Red Bank and Monmouth University."

Kolber produced the movie through his production company, Navesink River Productions. "Miranda's Victim" tells the true story of the origin of the U.S. Miranda Rights, which is where police in America are required by law to tell someone they have “the right to remain silent” and “the right to attorney" when they make an arrest.

Here's the just-released trailer:

Miranda rights — unique to the U.S. justice system, especially compared to more authoritarian countries around the world — were established in the groundbreaking 1966 Miranda v. Arizona U.S. Supreme Court decision.

The movie tells the true story of Ernesto Miranda, a career criminal who was convicted for a brutal kidnapping and rape of an 18-year-old girl in 1963 in Arizona, played by Abigail Breslin. However, the case made U.S. legal history when his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds that Arizona police obtained his full confession without a lawyer present. Police also never told Miranda he was legally entitled to a lawyer, nor did they tell him he did not have to answer any of the police's questions.

Up until this movie, nobody has ever told the story of America's "Miranda Rights," which make the U.S. justice system one of the most unique, and fairest in the world.

"Miranda's Victim" is an important look at wrongdoing, justice and what it means to be a U.S. citizen and the meaning of U.S. Constitutional rights.

According to Deadline.com, who's who in the film:

• Abigail Breslin is Trish Weir, Miranda's 18-year-old rape victim. A key part of Kolber's movie is her decision to testify publicly in court and bring her attacker to justice. There was much stigma and shame for a woman to be a rape victim in 1950s and '60s America.
• Ryan Philippe plays Miranda's ambitious criminal defense attorney, eager to make a name for himself. He ended up permanently changing the course of America's legal history.
• Luke Wilson plays Lawrence Turoff, the good-hearted county prosecutor who convinces Trish to testify and is desperate to put Miranda behind bars.
• Andy Garcia plays public defender Alvin Moore, who represents Miranda.
• Donald Sutherland plays the judge who ultimately convicts Miranda.
• Sebastian Quinn is the role of Miranda, the convicted rapist. Quinn is a lesser known actor of the group, and has appeared on "NCIS" and "Dynasty."

Middletown residents, many local places appear in the film

Middletown residents: You are going to see a lot of familiar buildings in the movie — and even local faces!

Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, town hall staff, DPW workers and some Middletown police officers all played bit roles.

Filming took place at the Middletown municipal building; at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank and in private homes along the Raritan Bay. A lot of filming was also done on the Monmouth University campus in West Long Branch.

Port Monmouth School was used for costumes, make-up, wardrobe and props.

"This important, true story could not be told without the support and help of so many throughout the Monmouth community," previously said Kolber. "It's the help of the Red Bank Elks Club, Count Basie and the Antique Motoring Club of Monmouth County, that will enable us to accurately depict 1960-70s America."

Past coverage:

Middletown Plays Starring Role In A-Lister Movie 'Miranda's Victim' (Feb. 2023)

Hollywood Comes To Middletown: Luke Wilson, Donald Sutherland Filming (June 2022)