Cleveland Abduction is a 2015 American crime drama television film directed by Alex Kalymnios from a teleplay written by Stephen Tolkin. Based on the kidnapping of three Cleveland women by Ariel Castro in the early 2000s, the film stars Taryn Manning, Raymond Cruz and Joe Morton. It debuted May 2, 2015 on Lifetime.[1][2]

Cleveland Abduction
GenreThriller
Based onAriel Castro kidnappings
Written byStephen Tolkin
Directed byAlex Kalymnios
StarringTaryn Manning
Raymond Cruz
Joe Morton
Music byTony Morales
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersDavid A. Rosemont
Stephen Tolkin
CinematographyRichard Wong
EditorHenk Van Eeghen
Running time88 minutes
Production companySony Pictures Television
Original release
NetworkLifetime
ReleaseMay 2, 2015 (2015-05-02)

The film is based on the memoir, Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed by Michelle Knight.[3]

Plot

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In Cleveland, Ohio, Michelle Knight (Manning) a 21-year-old single mother had lost custody of her son. On August 23, 2002, Knight was on her way to the court when she accepted a ride from her acquaintance Ariel Castro (Cruz), who was the father of her neighbor. However, Castro abducted Knight and held her captive in his home. Finding strength through her belief in God and determined to be reunited with her son, Knight refused to be broken down by Castro. Soon thereafter Castro kidnaps and rapes two more girls, Amanda Berry (Droke) and Georgina "Gina" DeJesus (Sarife). These girls too become imprisoned along with Knight. They become friends and fellow victims; treat each other as sisters through their years in captivity.

When Berry became pregnant with Castro's child, it was Knight who delivered her baby, even performing CPR on the infant girl under the threat of Castro killing her if Berry's child didn't survive. Despite enduring more than a decade of brutality and captivity, Knight's spirit would not be broken as her faith in the face of what she once thought would be a hopeless situation was a testament to the human spirit. On May 6, 2013, Berry succeeds in escaping from the house and the police arrive and released the women. Knight is finally given the chance to reclaim her life after nearly 11 years of captivity.

Cast

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Cleveland Abduction". Lifetime.
  2. ^ "TV Review: 'Cleveland Abduction'". April 30, 2015.
  3. ^ "Does 'Cleveland Abduction' Get the True Story Right? Exec Producer on Star Taryn Manning & Her Dedication to the Truth of the Castro Kidnappings". May 2, 2015.
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