Skip to content
What's After the Movie?

Jump to
What's After the Movie?
Drama

In the Custody of Strangers (1982): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch

In the Custody of Strangers (1982) movie poster

In the Custody of Strangers is a 1982 drama directed by Robert Greenwald, starring Emilio Estevez as Danny Caldwell, Martin Sheen and Jane Alexander. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where to watch Read the plot summary
In the Custody of Strangers (1982) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Robert Greenwald
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Filmways Television
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is In the Custody of Strangers About?

The premise of In the Custody of Strangers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After a minor offense and a drunken joyride, the teenage delinquent is placed in jail overnight by his parents hoping the experience will teach him a lesson. Instead, a series of unexpected events keep him incarcerated far longer than anyone anticipated, turning a brief punishment into a nightmarish ordeal.

In the Custody of Strangers Themes & Keywords

· 16 tags
  • juvenile incarceration
  • jail
  • incarceration
  • prison
  • self defense
  • alcoholism
  • underage drinking
  • violence
  • law
  • joyriding
  • teenager
  • shoplifting
+4 more
  • juvenile delinquent
  • legal issue
  • suicide attempt
  • father son relationship
Where to watch

Where to Watch In the Custody of Strangers

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Stream 10

Rent or buy 1

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

In the Custody of Strangers Cast & Characters

Emilio Estevez leads the cast as Danny Caldwell, with Martin Sheen as Frank Caldwell and Jane Alexander as Sandy Caldwell. Directed by Robert Greenwald; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in In the Custody of Strangers

· 16 more
Plot

In the Custody of Strangers Plot Summary

What happens in In the Custody of Strangers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Based on a true story, Danny Caldwell is an angry small-town teen whose Frank Caldwell has been laid off and can’t find a decent job. His Sandy Caldwell works to provide for the family of five. Danny, frustrated with the town, longs to work or leave, but often clashes with his father, who believes a man should provide for the family, not his wife, and certainly not the boy. The film sets a quiet, tense stage where pride and survival bump against the limits of opportunity.

Full summary

The whole story of In the Custody of Strangers, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know In the Custody of Strangers?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the teenage protagonist of the film?
Cars

Cars in In the Custody of Strangers

13 cars on screen, including the 1976 Chevrolet Nova and the 1972 Chrysler Newport.

All 13 cars
  • 1976 Chevrolet Nova in In the Custody of Strangers 1976 Chevrolet Nova Important role
  • 1972 Chrysler Newport in In the Custody of Strangers 1972 Chrysler Newport Important role
  • 1979 Dodge Dodge Van in In the Custody of Strangers 1979 Dodge Dodge Van Minor role
  • GMC unknown in In the Custody of Strangers GMC unknown Minor role
Details

In the Custody of Strangers Also Known As

Also known as “Unter den Augen der Justiz”.

Also known as
  • Unter den Augen der Justiz

Seen In the Custody of Strangers?
More like this

Movies Like In the Custody of Strangers

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Crime of Innocence, In a Stranger’s Hand and Strangers in the House.

FAQ

In the Custody of Strangers FAQ: Where to Watch & Cast

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of In the Custody of Strangers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is In the Custody of Strangers?

In the Custody of Strangers runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was In the Custody of Strangers released?

In the Custody of Strangers was released on May 26, 1982.

Who directed In the Custody of Strangers?

In the Custody of Strangers was directed by Robert Greenwald.

More films by Robert Greenwald

Who is in the cast of In the Custody of Strangers?

In the Custody of Strangers stars Emilio Estevez as Danny Caldwell, Martin Sheen as Frank Caldwell and Jane Alexander as Sandy Caldwell, among 20 credited actors.

Where can I watch In the Custody of Strangers?

In the US, In the Custody of Strangers is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and fuboTV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video (availability from JustWatch).

Does In the Custody of Strangers have a post-credit scene?

No. In the Custody of Strangers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app