Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Thin Blue Line - B+

On DVD (1988). Rated PG, 103 minutes. Trailer.

As a cinephile and a Dallasite, it is sad that it took me this long to watch Errol Morris' The Thin Blue Line. The documentary tells the story of the wrongful conviction and near execution of Randall Dale Adams by the Dallas County District Attorney's office in the 70's. Morris does a masterful job of presenting the facts in a reasonable and fact-based manner (Michael Moore should take notes) and the stunningly depraved attitude of the DA (their mantra was that any prosecutor could convict a guilty man but it took a real prosecutor to convict an innocent man). Worth your time - the film led to Adams' release and the Oscar for Best Documentary in 1988.

1 comment:

Doctor said...

A- for me. It was actually disqualified from the Oscars for the re-created crime scenes, felt to be too scripted. Those re-enactments with the music are compelling just as much as the abuse of justice is frightening. The best film from our best film documentarian. (Ken Burns owns the TV title).