

Dead in the Water
Synopsis
Charlie Deegan has almost everything he has ever wanted. He has an important law practice, a beautiful secretary as his lover, and the chance to be appointed to the high court. The only thing wrong with this is that his shrewish wife Olivia, whose father made all the wealth and all the power, is living and that greatly upsets Charlie. So when his lover, Laura, suggests that they get rid of Olivia, Charlie thinks, being a lawyer, that he can create a fool-proof plan. In this plan, he must incorporate a woman named Victoria whom he detests, but she can help him get into the court and be part of the plan for Olivia. But dreams of judgeship, money and Laura makes him proceed. However, things never turn out as planned and he may not be as smart as he considers himself.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Dead in the Water (1991) VHS Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-07-19
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Bryan Brown
Charlie Deegan
Teri Hatcher
Laura Stewart
Anne DeSalvo
Olivia Deegan
Veronica Cartwright
Victoria Haines
Seymour Cassel
Lt. Frank Vaness
Pruitt Taylor Vince
Lou Rescetti
Anna Thomson
Edie Meyers
Ron Karabatsos
Mike Welch
Daniel Reichert
Jack Homelin
Tim Haldeman
Prosecutor
Tom Wright
Hotel Clerk
Ralph Oliver
Trial Judge
Eric Christmas
Judge Griffin
Michael Kaufman
Neurosurgeon
C.H. Evans
Lodge Manager
Jo Farkas
Manager's Wife
Jack Orend
Coroner
Ernie Lively
Dignitary
Release History & Theatrical Window
December 4, 1991
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Bill Condon
- Screenplay & Story
- Harry Whittington, Walter Klenhard, Robert Seidenberg, Eleanor Gaver
- Original Score
- Philip Giffin
- Original Title
- Dead in the Water
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Bill Condon
Harry Whittington, Walter Klenhard, Robert Seidenberg, Eleanor Gaver
Philip Giffin
Paul Murphy
Virginia Katz
Michael M. Scott, Dan Wigutow
Department Leadership Roster
Bill Condon
Director
Michael M. Scott
Producer
Paul Murphy
Director of Photography
Virginia Katz
Editor
Philip Giffin
Original Music Composer
Richard Sherman
Production Design
Grania Preston
Costume Design
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Dead in the Water.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dead in the Water
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Dead in the Water about?
Charlie Deegan has almost everything he has ever wanted. He has an important law practice, a beautiful secretary as his lover, and the chance to be appointed to the high court. The only thing wrong with this is that his shrewish wife Olivia, whose father made all the wealth and all the power, is living and that greatly upsets Charlie. So when his lover, Laura, suggests that they get rid of Olivia, Charlie thinks, being a lawyer, that he can create a fool-proof plan. In this plan, he must incorporate a woman named Victoria whom he detests, but she can help him get into the court and be part of the plan for Olivia. But dreams of judgeship, money and Laura makes him proceed. However, things never turn out as planned and he may not be as smart as he considers himself.
Who directed Dead in the Water?
Dead in the Water was directed by Bill Condon.
Who stars in Dead in the Water?
The principal cast of Dead in the Water includes Bryan Brown, Teri Hatcher, Anne DeSalvo, Veronica Cartwright, Seymour Cassel.
When was Dead in the Water released and how long is it?
Dead in the Water was released in 1991 with a total runtime of 1h 30m.
Who composed the musical score for Dead in the Water?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Dead in the Water was composed by Philip Giffin.
Is Dead in the Water based on a book or true story?
Dead in the Water is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Harry Whittington".
