I knew very little about the West Memphis Three and was only vaguely familiar with the three “Paradise Lost” films that have chronicled their fight for freedom since being convicted for the 1993 murders of three young boys in West Memphis, Ark. Still I was interested in director Amy Berg’s documentary “West of Memphis,” with Peter Jackson serving as one of the producers, intrigued by the subject matter and enticed by the fascinating four minute trailer available online.
While I can not say how “West of Memphis” compares to the “Paradise Lost” series, I can stay this is a film that completely blew me away.
With the plight of the three accused teenagers Damien Echols (who also served as one of the producers), Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelly serving as the backdrop, this is a compelling study of corruption in the judicial system – where the rush to judgement can cause just as much pain and anguish as the original crimes.
“West of Memphis” quickly gives the viewers the basics of the case, allowing those who haven’t seen the film or aren’t as familiar with all the particulars to see a meticulous dissection of the original case against Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelly (deemed a Satanic ritual killing with Echols as the ring leader).
Berg’s film also follows the people who fought to have and are still fighting to have the three young men exonerated – including Eddie Vedder, Natalie Mains, Johnny Depp and Henry Rollins – and find the real killer.
The final act of “West of Memphis” proceeds to build a case against who it perceives is the real killer – Terry Hobbs, stepfather of one of the victims Stevie Branch. The film provides material that raises serious questions and paints a history of abuse by Hobbs, even if the Arkansas judicial system seems to want to turn a blind eye. The most chilling moments are exerts from deposition when Hobbs unsuccessfully tried to sue Natalie Maines for defamation of character. There is also interviews with new witnesses from earlier this month that perhaps paints a stronger case against Hobbs.
And in these moments the film conveys the true tragedy of this case – that justice can indeed be blind.
“West of Memphis” is a film that will stay with me long after I have seen it.
Grade: A
mcompton
I’ve read a little about this case-very little, however. Here’s what I get: three dead boys, three hairs, white people and a questionable black dude, inept cops and some cult monger hanging around a truck stop (Is that what the Blue Beacon was?)
Gripping…very, very gripping. I was literally on the edge of my seat!
Maybe when they investigate the serial killing of nearby Karen Swift they’ll only have to be off by one county to survey the entire area and purge them of Pentecostal holy rollers, sadist and satan worshipers, and…oh yes…make sure to investigate those govt. subcidized catfish farms and all those mutilated animals back in the late ’60s early 70s.
At least their suspects fit Hollywood’s description and FBI profiles.
Ho, ho, ho…………