West of Memphis
Seen it?2012 | 150 min | Documentary
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious. If you loved 13th, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 30 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
- It's long: 2 hr 30 min.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The documentary tells the hitherto unknown story behind an extraordinary and desperate fight to bring the truth to light. Told and made by those who lived it, the filmmakers' unprecedented access to the inner workings of the defense allows the film to show the investigation, research, and appeals process in a way that has never been seen before; revealing shocking and disturbing new information about a case that still haunts the American South.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$318K worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 30K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Amy J. Berg
- Damien EcholsSelf
- Jessie Misskelley Jr.Self
- Jason BaldwinSelf
- Pam HobbsSelf – Stevie Branch's Mother
- Steve JonesSelf – Former Juvenile Officer, Crittenden County
- John FoglemanSelf – Former Deputy Prosecutor
- Jerry DriverSelf – Former Juvenile Corrections Officer
- Sharon FrenchSelf – Juror #9 - Echols/Baldwin Trial
- Lorri DavisSelf – Damien's Wife
- Mara LeverittSelf – Author - "Devil's Knot"