[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wrongfully_accused_poster_6186.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300: ''[[TagLine It’s not just a movie – it’s]] '''[[ReferenceOverdosed every]]''' [[TagLine movie.]]'']]

->'''[[BasedOnATrueStory The following dramatization is true,\\
based on real events,]]\\
[[SubvertedTrope from other actual movies.]]'''
-->-- Opening credits disclaimer

''Wrongfully Accused'' is a 1998 parody film of the joke-a-minute (though really it's more like every 10 to 20 seconds) clinic of comedy written and directed by longtime Creator/ZuckerAbrahamsAndZucker collaborator Pat Proft and starring Creator/LeslieNielsen.

The frame {{parody}} is built around the 1993 version of ''Film/TheFugitive'' centering on renowned concert violinist, Ryan Harrison (Nielsen) in pursuit of the one-armed, one-legged and one-eyed man who killed his lover's husband (Creator/MichaelYork) after being framed for the murder. Creator/RichardCrenna's delightful parody of Creator/TommyLeeJones' fast-talking federal marshal is probably the highlight of the movie, with many of the best lines.

However, ''The Fugitive'' is hardly the only thing that gets parodied here. Particularly notable targets include ''Film/{{Mission Impossible|1996}}'', ''Film/{{Titanic|1997}}'', ''Film/{{Braveheart}}'', ''Theatre/{{Riverdance}}'', ''Film/ClearAndPresentDanger'', ''Film/PatriotGames'', Mentos commercials, ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'', ''Franchise/StarWars'', ''Film/FatalAttraction'', ''Film/TheUsualSuspects'' and even ''Film/NorthByNorthwest'' and ''Film/{{Casablanca}}'', among many others.
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!!NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE FOLLOWING TROPES:
* ActorAllusion:
** At one point, Harrison jumps on a bicycle with the seat missing. This is exactly what Harrison's actor Creator/LeslieNielsen mentioned as Lt. Frank Drebin in ''Film/TheNakedGun 2½''.
** While trying to hack the computer, Harrison drops a fart noisemaker, but catches it, and makes the fart noise. Leslie Nielsen would carry one around in his pocket and squeeze it at random, often in elevators.
* ActorIsTheTitleCharacter: Well, more like the title ''adverb-adjective''.
* TheAdjectivalMan: Sean is referred to as the "one-armed, one-legged, one-eyed man" parodying ''The Fugitive'''s "one-armed man."
* AffectionateParody: Not just of ''The Fugitive'' and other movies and TV shows but also of suspenseful FugitiveArc thrillers and action dramas in general.
* AlliterativeName: The federal marshal, Fergus Falls.
* AngelsPose: Parodied and lampshaded by Fergus Falls and his two agents when they break down Cass' door.
--> '''Fergus:''' ALRIGHT, MY ANGELS, MOVE.
* ArtificialLimbs:
** Sean Laughrea has them, replacing an eye, an arm, a leg, and an eye.
** The Limbs "R" Us ward at the hospital.
* BananaPeel: A whole ''bus'' is taken down by one!
* BasedOnATrueStory: Parodied by the disclaimer that states the film is based on "real events" ''from other movies''.
* BehindAStick: A ''locomotive'' hides behind a tree while chasing Ryan through the woods.
* BigStupidDooDooHead:
** While on the bus being transported to prison, Ryan and one of his guards get into an argument that eventually degenerates into this.
** Even a passing driver who gets cut off by the bus calls out "Hey, you pee-pee head."
* BreathlessNonSequitur: Practically every line of dialogue.
* BulletDancing: In a parody of ''Riverdance''!
* ButtMonkey: Ryan goes through quite a bit of abuse trying to stay one step ahead of his pursuers.
* TheCameo:
** John Walsh, long time host of ''Series/AmericasMostWanted'' along with Maury Hannigan of ''Real Stories of the Highway Patrol'', appear in the film. Though it isn't clear if he's playing as the "America's Most Wanted" host as he is seen in a backwoods bait and tackle shop.
** The puppet Lambchop from ''Series/LambchopsPlayAlong'' for no real reason other than it's [[RuleOfFunny supposed to be funny]]
* CaptainObvious: "You're not Lauren! You're an imposter!"
* ClearMyName: See title.
* CreatorCameo: Director Pat Proft plays a window technician who Ryan accidentally electrocutes with a defibrillator.
* CreditsGag:
** Occurs almost immediately, with "Leslie Nielsen is Leslie Nielsen."[[note]]Despite actually playing a character named Ryan Harrison.[[/note]]
** The jokes don't stop even after the film is finished:
*** After the "Boom Operator" (a real job operating the boom microphone) are listed a "Pow Operator" and "Kablam Operator".
*** The Negative Cutter (who edits the film negative to match the final print) is followed by "Very Up and Positive" Cutter.
*** Also appearing later on is a restaurant menu of entrees.
*** Towards the end of the credits, a disclaimer scrolls up that reads "NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE" and then a bunch of names rapidly scroll up the screen as UnreadablyFastText before continuing at a normal speed.
* CriminalDoppelganger: Parodied. Ryan sees a "Wanted" poster of himself and rapidly draws black hair, glasses, a beard and a tiny hat over his image. Immediately, another man with black hair, glasses, mustache and tiny hat in the same building is arrested.
* DestructoNookie: Apparently, Ryan's love-making is so powerful it sets off ''an airbag'' in the headboard of the bed.
* DoubleTake: During the ''Film/NorthByNorthwest'' parody, an airplane is headed towards Ryan, and Ryan looks back ''nine times'' before he starts running away.
* DramaticShattering: After Ryan exits the bait shop, John Walsh pieces together the string of lies that Ryan created, which he made using various items and signs in the bait shop. John drops his coffee in slow motion, which shatters on the floor, in a nod to ''Film/TheUsualSuspects''. However, true to a parody flick, John also drops a doughnut, an egg, and a water balloon.
* DrenchCelebration: At the end of Ryan's violin performance at the concert, two men dump Gatorade on him and then he manages to get dry by the time the camera returns to him.
* EccentricMillionaire: Hibbing Goodhue.
* ElegantClassicalMusician: Parodied with Ryan, a violinist who rubs his nose with the bow, accidentally stabs another musician in the eye, and finally starts playing more like Music/JimiHendrix or [[Music/TheWho Roger Daltrey]].
* EroticEating: At the concert, Lauren sucks on a cigar, causing Ryan to have a RagingStiffie.
* EveryoneIsRelated: Parodied in TheReveal. Lauren is Cass' aunt being her mother's identical twin sister ("born ten years apart, but identical"), Sean is her adoptive brother while [[spoiler:Sir Robert [=McKintyre=] is Cass' father]].
* FailedAttemptAtDrama: In the scene parodying the famous "storm drain dive" from ''The Fugitive'', Ryan is caught between a raging waterfall and being apprehended by the marshall. He shouts that he's not going back to prison ("wherever it is") and makes for a dive - only to slam his head on the ceiling of the pipe he's standing in. Disoriented, he simply flops over the edge instead.
* FemmeFatale: Ultimately subverted with Cass.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: A few, including a hilarious one where a newscaster on television is frantically screaming over how she's unable to hear herself after Ryan mutes her with the remote.
* GoldDigger: Lauren.
* GroinAttack: Ryan tries to escape on a bicycle, but it's missing the seat and the seatpost hits in the nuts.
* HassleFreeHotwire: Ryan is able to rip open the panel and connect two wires to get the car drivable. It's not fully hassle free, as it also activates the hydraulic mechanism and the "La Cucaracha" car horn.
* HeartBeatsOutOfChest: Happens to Ryan during a near-encounter with Fergus Falls before accidentally going over a waterfall. Also, said heart is cartoon shaped.
* HellholePrison: The destination sign on the bus reads [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "A HELLISH PRISON"]].
* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: Obtusely parodied during the climax as Ryan is able to seat a truckload of people, wash the windshield, change a van's tire and check its pressure at a normal pace all while being shot at a very close range by several terrorists.
* InspectorJavert: Fergus Falls, being a parody of Sam Gerard from ''The Fugitive''.
* InstantlyProvenWrong:
-->'''Cass:''' Ryan, you can feel safe here. We're six floors up, no one can see you.\\
'''Cass' neighbor:''' ''[off-screen]'' Hey, Cass, who's your new friend?
* KeyUnderTheDoormat: Hilariously inverted when Ryan finds a large key-shaped case containing a rock inside that he uses to break the glass on the door.
* LaserHallway: Shaped like the Star of David, in the MissionImpossibleCableDrop scene.
--> '''Security System:''' ''Shalom!''
* LegCannon: Sean has a laser-scope rifle is disguised as his right leg.
* LineOfSightName: As seen in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNqUyiGIXQU tackle shop scene]], Harrison quickly takes various names from various products for a quick cover, barely escaping because the police in the shop saw the defaced wanted poster. The detective there then reviews in his mind what was said, spotting each name component in question.
* LocationThemeNaming: Many character names are based in cities in Pat Proft's native Minnesota (Cass Lake, Fergus Falls, Orono, Bagley, Fridley), a twofer in the case of Hibbing Goodhue (the former a city, the latter a county).
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: A staple of the genre, but especially prominent in Goodhue's murder scene - he reacts to multiple gunshot wounds with a simple "Ouch!" and exasperatedly asking if his killer is "quite finished." Halfway through, the killer shoots a small bandage Goodhue tries to use out of his hand.
* MarilynManeuver: Ryan pulls this after infiltrating a [[ManInAKilt Scottish pipe band]] and standing over an air vent. His legs are suspiciously feminine and clean-shaven, and there is sound similar to blowing over a glass bottle.
* TheMelBrooksNumber: Right at the beginning, with Lambchop.
* MinorCrimeRevealsMajorPlot: The murder of [[spoiler: Hibbing Goodhue]] → A scheme to assassinate the United Nations Secretary General, Sir Robert [=McKintyre=].
* MirandaRights: Parodied. The first line is spoken, then it detours into the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance and wedding vows.
* MiscarriageOfJustice: Didn't have quite the same ring as ''Wrongfully Accused''.
* MissionImpossibleCableDrop: Parodying the TropeMaker, with the wires of [[AirVentEscape an air conditioner]].
* NoKillLikeOverkill:
** Ryan is sentenced to be executed "Buffet Style": lethally-injected, [[HighVoltageDeath electrocuted]] and placed before a firing squad.
** Also, near the end, [[spoiler:Lauren]] uses an enormous missile launcher to destroy a van Ryan is driving.
* {{Oireland}}: Sean and the IRA-like Freedom Fighters to the point they Riverdance when fired upon.
* ParodyNames: Primarily parodying ''The Fugitive'', Ryan Harrison references Creator/HarrisonFord while the first name is a possible reference to another character played by Ford, Literature/JackRyan since ''Patriot Games'' and ''Clear and Present Danger'' are also spoofed.
* ThePowerOfCheese: Parodied. Ryan is looking for a way out of a bathroom while the police batter their way into Cass' house, and eating a Mentos inspires him to yank her toilet off the wall and place it under a window to escape, complete with turning to the camera and giving a thumbs-up with his Mentos.
* PunnyName: Cass Lake, which is the name of an actual lake in Minnesota. (see LocationThemeNaming above)
* RailroadTracksOfDoom: Complete with a locomotive that chases him by ''[[{{Determinator}} literally hopping off its rails and chasing him through a forest.]]''
* RapidFireComedy
* RasputinianDeath: Played for Laughs and somewhat inverted when [[spoiler:Hibbing Goodhue]] is shot ''26 times'' before finally being taken out by three arrows to the chest. So it's the '''''arrows''''' that kill him, but not the gunshots?
* ReferenceOverdosed: The central plot is ''Film/TheFugitive'', but there is room for all sorts of works to be parodied.
* RockersSmashGuitars: At the end of his concert, after the abrupt Jimi Hendrix impersonation, Ryan smashes his violin.
* ScoobyDoobyDoors: During the ChaseScene in the sewer.
* ShoutOut: A "Dr. Kimble" is paged in the hospital. Dr. Richard Kimble is the surgeon from ''The Fugitive'' who Leslie Nielsen parodies. Additionally, the newscaster Ryan is watching is even named "Ruth Kimble".
* SpoofsRUs: The hospital has a wing labeled Limbs "R" Us (in the style of the Toys "R" Us logo no less).
* SuperPersistentPredator: After failing to run him over the first time, the locomotive jumps off the track and chases Ryan through the woods.
* TalksLikeASimile: Fergus Falls.
-->"Oh lord! This [case] has more twists and turns than Chubby Checker in a blender."\\
"That man's as slick as a lizard in Creator/{{Jerry Lewis}}' hair."
* ThatPoorPlant: After Harrison exits the diaper truck and starts walking down the street, [[FunnyBackgroundEvent flowers behind him wither and droop.]]
* ThrowTheBookAtThem: At one point the first draft of the ''Film/Titanic1997'' screenplay, which is a large ream of paper, is used as a blunt instrument.
* TitleDrop: Ryan just can't stress it enough that he has been...
* TooMuchInformation: When Lauren is interrogated:
--> '''Lauren:''' Ryan and I were having sex; hot, steamy, sweaty sex. Every part of my body tingled orgasm after orgasm...\\
'''Sgt. Orono:''' Lady, I just asked for your name.
* TrashLanding: Unfortunately for Ryan, the trash consists of nothing but dirty diaper bags.
* TheVamp: Lauren.
* VanityLicensePlate: The lowrider Ryan steals has one: DUF US.
* WaxingLyrical:
-->'''Ryan:''' Music/TheBeatles said it best. She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, listen, Michelle ma belle, this nowhere man is the walrus, koo koo kachoo!
* WeHardlyKnewYe: [[spoiler:Hibbing Goodhue (Michael York) is murdered in the first 13 minutes]]. His murder is what drives the plot.
* WesternTerrorists: The main villains are part of a group known as the "Freedom Fighters", an obvious and over-the-top parody of the Provisional IRA.
* WiperStart: Ryan steals a low-rider for his getaway car. Hot-wiring it starts the engine, turns on the radio playing Mexican band music, activates the front hydraulics, and plays "La Cucaracha" on the horn.
* YouGetMeCoffee: Because a cocktail waitress just happened to be at the train crash site.
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-> '''MOVIE'S DONE'''
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