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Happy Saturday! Today was a tough one as I could not think of what I wanted to share with y’all as I partake in this A to Z Challenge. But I reckon there really aren’t that many more perfect Ts to mention in connection to sexual assault so today I bring you Ted Bundy and his many portrayals in literature and film. Also – I ask the question “why the fascination with serial killers?”
Who Was Ted Bundy?
Ted Bundy is best known as one of the most infamous serial murderers and rapists who confessed to 30 homicides and the yet common opinion is that he has left behind a body count of upwards to 100.
The Fascination with Ted Bundy
He has been both revered and vilified in the press and media and somewhere in between. Today I am focusing on two of the most famous portrayals of Ted Bundy.
The Deliberate Stranger (Mark Harmon)
Before 2019, the most famous film about Ted Bundy was The Deliberate Stranger, starring heartthrob Mark Harmon as Bundy.
Trivia
Girls were falling in love with Harmon’s handsome and charismatic portrayal so much that they began to send love letters to Bundy in prison!!
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| Mark Harmon as Ted Bundy. 1986. |
Ann Rule and Ted Bundy
In Ann Rule’s The Stranger Beside Me he is described as a man next door who was able to pull the wool over the author’s eyes for long periods of time before she discovered him to be the “Ted” she was researching. It is considered the most definitive account of Ted Bundy’s life and crimes.
Trivia about Ted Bundy and Ann Rule
Ann Rule worked alongside Ted Bundy on a suicide crisis phone line where she heard Ted save lives.
Continue the Conversation
Have you done any research about Ted Bundy? What is your favorite film or book on the subject? Why do you think women (and men) are so fascinated with serial killers and start corresponding with men behind bars?
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Very interesting indeed I watch many movies about ted Bundy and other serial killers.
I think that some womens are fascinated by serial killers Because they think they can save them.
This is horrific. I can’t even imagine – I think serial killers and other criminals get too much attention on the media, and that is sometimes why they do the things they do. I wish they didn’t get so much ‘screentime’.
I find the story line very interesting. Once in a while I love to read or watch serial killer plots. Why women or men are so fascinated with serial killers and start corresponding with ones behind bars has never occurred to me. Food for thought.
I haven’t heard about Ted Bundy before, but hey, Im also obssessed with watching documentaries on youtube such as True Crime Daily. Im fascinated about these videos. Maybe, I have a passion in solving mysteries. haha Will do my research about Ted Bundy..
I have never tried to watch these movies but reading things about it makes me scared.
Serial killers tend to be very charismatic people. Sometimes you end up falling for their charismatic personality even though they are horrible human beings. On Netflix, you can find some documentaries and a series about Ted Bundy. I would recommend watching “Mindhunter” it is a great series about serial killers
I haven’t read Ann Rule’s book but I think it will make for an interesting book. It’s fascinating but so dark at the same time.
This is fascinating but so so creepy as well ! Personally I have never read Ann Rule’s book, but seems interesting enough to give it a whirl.
Great question! My cousin is also obsessed with male serial killers and watches the movies and documentaries all the time… Personally I liked the Deadly Women series myself as there seemed to be more strategy and forethought by the women.
I love watching true crime movies and documentaries. The Ted Bundy story is fascinating but so sad!
I think people are fascinated by serial killers because they reflect a side of the human psyche that most of us keep under control.
“I’d like to slap that guy!”
“He deserves a punch in the face!”
We’ve all said or thought things like that. Serial killers act on much, much worse impulses.
So creepy and so scary.
Indeed. 🙁
I haven't done research, but I saw a documentary. It creeps me out endlessly. Partly because even after knowing what a monster he was, women still found him attractive, and partly because he shows how anyone can be a psycho killer without "looking" like one. Creepy creep creep.
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
Creepy creepy. I do think though that the movie makers didn't have to cast such a handsome man in the role 😮 But then again Bundy wasn't a bad looker either. You never know.
I remember an interview he did shortly before he was put to death. He seemed very afraid to die, interesting because oh all he was capable of doing. I need to read that book.
Betty
Enjoy the book. It is hard to put down.
He was a master manipulator. I've seen interviews with Ann Rule and I really need to buy that book.
@Kathleen01930
Meet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge
🙂
It's frightening how he conned women and then murdered them. I've never read Ann Rule's book, but it sounds like an interesting read.
~Katie
TheCyborgMom
Definitely a good read to see him from her perspective.