"Promise Not to Tell," which airs at 8 p.m. Tuesday on KUED, Ch. 7, is a remarkably compelling documentary. And it really shouldn't be as fascinationg as it is, simply because it's mostly talking heads.
It employs news stories from KUTV Ch. 2, literary segues with children at play and a dramatic section where actors read from transcripts of the trial that convicted Allan Hadfield in 1987 of seven felony counts of sexual abuse and sodomy. And there are comments by Hadfield's ex-wife, Gay, therapist Dr. Barbara Snow and the voice of the oldest child, which have built-in drama.But the majority of this documentary is made up of experts from around the country - prosecutors and the defense attorney in the Hadfield case, FBI agents, sociologists, etc. - who discuss the subject. In fact, perhaps a few too many experts were used.
But filmmaker Rhea Gavry is very smart in setting up the program. It begins with a 15-minute segment that has Gay Hadfield and Barbara Snow relating how accusations of child sexual abuse began in the small town of Lehi, Utah. Gradually, as they tell the story, the viewer comes to realize with horror the implications of what's being said. By the end of the segment, Hadfield and Snow are tearful - and so is the viewing audience. That's when you're hooked.
The rest of the show is every bit as interesting, and the editing keeps a sharp focus on the subject as it moves from person to person. And the conclusion also packs a punch.
"Promise Not to Tell" will be followed Tuesday evening by a live "Civic Dialogue" program, featuring experts on the subject of children's rights in the justice system. Ted Capener will moderate and take phone calls.