ChikPapa Very disappointed :(

GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Janis One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

markwood272 Possibly the most convoluted plot in TV movie history. After all the twists – more than a barrel of pretzels, no, more than a mile of DNA – still watchable throughout. Success due to well crafted production, precise casting, and direction that never forgets what the movie is about. The puzzle is so well crafted that awareness of the artifice is superseded by a fascination with all the moving parts. A movie meant to be "followed" in much the same way you "follow" an M.C. Escher lithograph or Ralph Steiner's "Mechanical Principles" (1930). The people are real enough through it all (who could be more real than Richard Anderson?) to keep the plot-heavy story from becoming just a game. Interesting to see Anderson, Barry Bostwick, and Katharine Ross playing bad people. Hal Holbrook outstanding in the role of Arthur Sinclair, a Joseph Dunninger-esque mentalist. Those who found Holbrook's character interesting might enjoy seeing his fellow mentalists do their thing in "Hanussen" (1988), "Nightmare Alley" (1947), and even "8½" (1963).

brettster Contrary to what another reviewer wrote about this title, it HAS been released on video and can be readily obtained via Amazon; I believe a DVD version is still pending, although those too may be easily found online. Either way, it is definitely worth seeking out. Fans of TV's "Columbo" series will be especially delighted, as it was written and devised by the same team (Richard Levinson and William Link) who created the cigar-chomping detective, and has the same ingenious flavor and excellent plotting. As a TV "mentalist" like Kreskin who finds himself the target of a murder plot, Hal Holbrook is simply smashing. Possible Spoiler Ahead: There's a British film that predates this one by nearly 15 years, "Man in the Dark" (aka "Blind Corner") that would appear to have directly inspired the murder plot, particularly the third-act twist; although the earlier movie has nothing to do with mentalism, the rest of the plot of "Murder by Natural Causes" would appear to have been lifted wholesale from "Man in the Dark." Interestingly, rather than having purported the "second sight" that Hal Holbrook has, the intended murder victim in "Man in the Dark" has no sight at all.

dennis A "professional" mind reader post-heart attack: He has recovered enough, but . . .This man is worth Millions. His dutiful wife would love to divorce him for her boyfriend. But she had signed a pesky pre-nuptual agreement, only giving her a portion of his Millions. Unfortunately, for him, she wants it ALL.With the scene set, she devises a plot so that her young actor boyfriend can use his acting skills to ramp-up the stress on hubby, so he has another heart attack, this time not bothering to call for medical help (just the coroner, later).As others have made perfectly clear this movie ends in a torrent of plot twists. This can (and will) cause you dizziness.A lot of the movie shows (quite interestingly), the behind-the-scenes life of a mentalist, preparing for each performance. Then it shows his performances (seamlessly incorporating his prep work).I have looked for this movie to re-run for about 20 years (so far). I cannot believe that this hasn't been released onto video. It is a killer.

chazzmatt I saw this movie when it first aired on TV and I was spellbound. Excellent acting, highly intelligent script, very satisfying movie. For a few years after that it started to be replayed at least once a year on TBS and late night weekend movies on local TV in my area.It was one of the best made-for-TV movies made for that era. But, I haven't seen it in a few years, so now I would probably notice the out-of-date fashions, old cars, lack of cell phones (or even cordless phones), etc. :) However, the premise and script was so good that someone should really do a re-make. BUT, the key would be to get worthy actors who can pull it off and a director with a good eye.