MovieChat Forums > I Know My First Name Is Steven (1989) Discussion > This movie mirrors Shawn Hornbeck

This movie mirrors Shawn Hornbeck

posted 18 years ago by RoswAlien_lady
29 replies | jump to latest

This movie now mirrors Shawn Hornbeck's story. I live in St. Louis, and I remember when Shawn went missing. Every year since, his family held either candlelight vigil or made a plea to the public through media and/or organized search parties and/or released balloons with his picture in it!

I was at work when the enthusiastic buz started on Shawn's and Ben's recovery! And upon hearing that "They found Ben, and he was with SHAWN!" my first reaction was surprise and elation and then I instantly remembered this movie, " I Think My First Name is Steven". Apparently when the authorities made their way into that apartment to search for Ben, they came across a teen-age boy as well and he said, "I'm Shawn Hornbeck"

TRULLY AMAZING.

[–] shoegal79 18 years ago

Yes it is trly amazing i'm from St.louis and it's the greatest news i've heard in a long time.

[–] kitsmeow 18 years ago

The fact that Shawn was found was some AWESOME *beep* I too thought of this movie as well. Not very often are 2 missing children found together. That really is some AWESOME *beep*

[–] energize 18 years ago

I believe that anyone who has seen this movie, was struck by the similarities when the news of the rescue in Missouri hit the wires. Let's just hope that Shawn's community is able to be sensitive to this young man's readjustment in a more evolved way than the depiction of the community in the Stayner story. My initial impression is that "we" have learned little as I watch the news and such and continue to hear Shawn being portrayed as choosing to stay, etc. What will it take for us to understand that we are only further victimizing the victim with that mentality? It would be so much more appropriate to just own the fact that some of us just can't understand the dynamics. Maybe Lifetime should air this flick a few times over the next week or two to serve as a reminder to all of us..........

[–] kjones1067 18 years ago

This was the first thing I thought of on Friday when they were found. I work in St. Louis and its hilarious how all the TV stations try to claim they broke the story first, even though they got most of the story wrong(Devlin was not a pedophile from Utah, etc..).

Anyway, for the last few days I keep hearing the Elizabeth Smart story, Patty Hearst, Polly Klass, etc.. but no one has mentioned the Stayner case, which boggles my mind because both cases are so similar.

BTW, Bill O'Rielly is an A$$hole.

[–] Clusium 11 years ago

Anyway, for the last few days I keep hearing the Elizabeth Smart story, Patty Hearst, Polly Klass, etc.. but no one has every mentioned the Stayner case, which boggles my mind because both cases are so similar.

Yeah, I notice that too, when newspapers are covering stories about kids who had been abducted, & then showed up years later, & they recount other such incidences, Steven Stayner's case gets excluded for some reason. Perhaps its because his brother became a killer, but, I don't think that's much of a reason.

If you love Mary and Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make your signature!

[–] dragoncane 18 years ago

<<<My initial impression is that "we" have learned little as I watch the news and such and continue to hear Shawn being portrayed as choosing to stay, etc. What will it take for us to understand that we are only further victimizing the victim with that mentality?>>>

Exactly. If he really was "choosing" to stay, he would not have identified himself when the police came to get Ben. Leave Shawn alone and let him get the help he is going to need.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Trucker1970 18 years ago

I will start by saying I am sorry for what I am about to type, but I have honestly been thinking this. First of all the Shawn Hornbeck story reminded me of "I Know My First Name Is Steven" mostly because of the second boy being taken and the sicko being caught and arrested. The way the movie portrayed it (I have not read the book) Steven was definately the victim and brainwashed from day one into believing his parents had to give him up because they could not afford him etc. etc. He was ashamed what was being done to him sexually and never wanted to admit to it and even had his friends over so he would be left alone. This was in a time when many things were left unsaid and things were not discussed and covered up like the Catholic priest scandal. Today.. many things are discussed such as peoples sexuallity and safe sex etc.that were not brought up back then. Steven was much younger than Shawn when he was taken and much more impressionable. I honestly wonder if Shawn met this guy on the internet and went willingly. I know Ben was taken and he sped off in his pickup truck with Ben and he was definately taken unwillingly. It would seem this would have been a repeat of how Shawn was taken as in the Stayner case where both boys were taken in the same way, but I have to wonder. I honestly hope that Shawn did not do this to his family. He had contact with neighbors and even police and never once told them who he was until the second boy was found with him. I understand that he could have been brainwashed as well. The internet postings as Shawn Devlin asking how long they were going to continue to look for their son may possibly be the big reason I am thinking this way. That is pretty sick if that was indeed Shawn posting that. That would prove he knew they were looking for him (unlike Steven) and wanted him home. Things seem too advanced with the internet and all for something like this to happen so close to a big city and go unnoticed. In the Smart case they were always with her in public and had disguised her. Shawn was left on his own and able to be in contact with neighbors, friends, and even went driving under age in the pickup with friends. It just doesn't make sense to me with the info I have seen and read.

Regardless... I am happy for his family that they have their son back. It would be nice to know all the details and have all the WHYs answered, but if they are all one big happy family and the media could leave them alone (yeah right) and let them live their lives... that would be the best.

[–] IDinProgress 18 years ago

I don't think the postings online were sick. It sounded to me like he was dropping clues. I heard that he asked "How long are you going to keep looking for your son", then apologized and asked if he could write a poem for the family, which he never did. Here were the quotes:

“how long are you planing (sic) to look for your son?” (I think this is the posting he apologized for, which makes me think he didn't mean it in a nasty way. Otherwise, why even bother apologizing?)

And in regards to writing a poem for the family:

“It would be cool if I could but if you dont want me to I can understan why I guess … ,'’

That's all I heard. I didn't hear about any more messages. You'd think, if he really wanted to taunt his family, he could have posted a whole lot more. However, if he was trying to drop clues, he might have been hesitant for fear of what might happen if he ever escaped Devlin. Or that Devlin would check his online activity. We don't know what Shawn was threatened with.

It seems only logical that a man who would pull off an abduction so brazen as Ben's would have had experience doing the same thing in the past with other boys, like Shawn. Certainly anyone who would take an eleven year old boy away from his family, whether through bribery or threats or both, is a very dangerous, sick person who is capable of only God knows what. Shawn was only eleven so there's no way he could be held responsible. What Devlin committed was a heinous crime, no matter how you look at it. And the one person who knew about this secret was an eleven year old. An eleven year old perfect stranger he snatched off the street. Even if he met him online beforehand, and befriended him there, I doubt "friendship's" enough to have kept a boy that young away from his family for four years. Let's not forget, we don't know what went on in that apartment, but it was probably not good.

Oh yeah, and I heard the internet theory of yours was explored already. They got nothing...

[–] RoswAlien_lady 15 years ago

Shawn was a young kid snatched off of his bike on the side of the road as it was reported in the news the day it happened and every year to come. I do NOT think Shaw when willingly nor did he meet the dude on the internet. The internet wasn't even as popular as it is now the year Shaw was taken.

[–] Rauri 18 years ago

What I can't understand is why the Hornbecks are discussing their son's kidnapping, return, and even the possibility of his having been sexually abused, on national television within a week of the poor boy's having been found. First he and his parents were on the Opray Winfrey Show, now it's the Larry King Show (parents only). In both cases, the parents discussed the possibility of the boy's having been sexually abused.

This can't be good for Shawn Hornbeck - hasn't he been through enough turmoil? And the discussion of whether or not he was sexually abused should really stay between the boy, his parents, his therapist, and the police. How is he going to feel, later, when other kids tease him about the sexual abuse, and there will be some who will; and that not only did it (if it did, which I think is very probable) happen, but now millions of people have heard about it.

Of course, I think that Elizabeth Smart's father have dragged her in front of TV cameras a few too many times as well...

I am, of course, pleased that Shawn Hornbeck and the other boy are home with their families. Hopefully their kidnapper will go to jail and never leave it.

[–] MrZoolook 13 years ago

Quote: How is he going to feel, later, when other kids tease him about the sexual abuse

Him and his parents will be rolling in the publishing rights by then (now even)

[–] dragoncane 18 years ago

My husband and I were sitting there in amazement when the news came on that they had been found together. One of the first things I said was this is just like that TV movie from the 80's "I know my first name is Steven".

I really wish now that the media would just leave it alone wondering why Shawn never said anything. The poor kid has been through enough already. He doesn't need thousands of strangers watching this on the news constantly. He was scared. Enough said.

[–] JoMiDe35 18 years ago

I've been reading the latest headlines regarding the Missouri boys, and there finally starting to mention Stayner & White.

I wasn't born yet when Steven Stayner made headlines 27 years ago. But I'm glad I'm around now to witness this incredible story.

[–] dragoncane 18 years ago

<<I've been reading the latest headlines regarding the Missouri boys, and there finally starting to mention Stayner & White>>

It's about time. I haven't seen them yet, though. thanks for the update!

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MaBellas 18 years ago

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16673873/site/newsweek/?GT1=8921
i was just reading about the story and this movie came to mind...

[–] YoBadAzizi84 18 years ago

I came on this board b/c I realized how eerily similar the current situation is to this movie. I've seen the movie many times over the years and watch it every time it's on, and it's sad that this has happened again.

[–] hunneybee1979 18 years ago

I had the same exact reaction as every one else. I said to my husband it was just like this movie I saw. Since he had never seen it he had no clue what I was talking about.It is amazing.

[–] JnetTom 18 years ago

I immediately thought of this movie. It took awhile for me to remember the name of it though, to tell my husband. I hope they do air it again soon as he has never seen it either.

[–] msnea2 18 years ago

unbelievable. I have been listening to the news for days on this to, and only heard about the smart, hearst, but nothing on steven or a another pig who kidnapped a women and kept her in a box for about 5 years and then in the house for another 5 years and that pig was married . his wife was also terrified. if any one remembers her name please write. anyway what iam really pissed about is OPRAH how dare you do all your good and say your for children and then have the parents and this child on your nation sidicated program and exploit this situation. the child should be in therapy not on oprah. shame on all of them.

[–] coflorida 18 years ago

I immediately thought of this movie. It took awhile for me to remember the name of it though, to tell my husband. I hope they do air it again soon as he has never seen it either.

Glad I wasn't the only one.

[–] YoBadAzizi84 18 years ago

It comes on LMN periodically, so those who want to see it again might want to check those listings from time to time.

[–] fishwhisper2000 18 years ago

It amazes me how we have not come very far from the staynor/white case to now my prayers are with shawn and his family they have a lot to go "through" to heal.~melina~

[–] michael_k_powell 18 years ago

I thought the same thing as soon as that story of Ben and Shawn being rescued broke.

[–] cdhusker13 18 years ago

AND Shawn and the kid who played the young Steven look alot alot alike!!

[–] IDinProgress 18 years ago

I personally don't see that resemblance. Nor do I understand the resemblance they say is between Charles Arlin Henderson and Shawn or even Charles and Ben. But the kid who played young Steven looks a lot like Corin Nemec, who played the teen Steven.

[–] movie_luvr_girl 18 years ago

LOL..It's amazing how this movie that was based on a true life story, once again became a true life story. I also find it amazing that this case reminded all of us of this movie. Ever since I've heard about Shawn and Ben, i can not stop thinking about them and I couldn't figure out what this movie was called, because I wanted to know what the synopsis of this movie was and see what the similarities were. Pretty darn close I tell ya..It's so crazy....
It's almost like this movie was a warning or something....even though this movie was based off a true story that had happened already...Does anything i am saying make sense? I don't know..I tend to blab a lot...
Sorry...
lol..

...I'm all about you, I'm all about us...

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]