I first saw this film not long after its initial release some 20 years ago and images and scenes from it have stayed with me ever since, so that it was with considerable anticipation that I re-watched it again recently. Down the years I can still recall Randall Adams drawling in his unforgettable voice "The kid scares me", the ever-revolving red light on the cop-car and most of all Philip Glass' wonderful, hypnotic music. The depiction of the fateful night of the cold-blooded murder of the policeman is shown from, almost literally, every possible angle, conveyed in a highly stylised way with almost every speculated remembrance of the doubtful list of every dubious (and are they ever dubious!) witness played out on the screen, the effect, in so doing, to completely explode their fantasist recollections, as was no doubt the director's aim. The reconstructions are set alongside filmed interviews of most of the main protagonists (with the main exception of the second cop in the car who witnessed the killing). As you watch these, the centrepiece clearly becomes the contrasting testimony of the almost-certain murderer David Harris with the wronged Randall Adams, the first coming across from the start as duplicitous and uncaring, the latter as bemused but reasoning. I was particularly taken with the erudition of Adams, who suppresses his inner rage with admirable restraint as he points the viewer time and again back to the evidence. As an indictment of the American criminal justice system, it hits home hard; it appears that investigation standards head for the hills especially when the law has a cop-killer to nail. Thankfully the miscarriage of justice was eventually resolved although it makes you grateful for the coincidence which led director Morris to change the subject course of his original project to instead highlight Adams' case culminating in his release soon after the film was first shown. The film however is more than a crusading documentary and there is much for students and admirers of the film-makers art to enjoy. Unforgettable, really, almost haunting, and proof if needed that truth really is stranger than fiction.

This film is about the unjust prosecution of a an for the murder of a cop in Dallas in the 1970s. While the evidence against the man was tenuous, at best, the prosecutors had a much more logical case against a young punk--who was also THE witness against the defendant! So, the only solid evidence was provided by a man who was clearly guilty--of course the guy would lie and blame someone else! Yet, oddly, there was such a rush to get a conviction--and a death penalty conviction--that an innocent man was imprisoned.

I have enjoyed several of Errol Morris' other documentary films (such as MR. DEATH and FAST, CHEAP & OUT OF CONTROL) though I must also admit that a few of his films left me very cold (especially VERNON Florida). THE THIN BLUE LINE is his greatest film in many ways. First, because unlike many documentaries, this one provoked action. People saw this film where Morris was trying to make positive social change...and WHAM, it happened! This is something almost all other documentaries cannot hope to achieve. Because of this film, a wrongly convicted man was released from prison. Second, like MR. DEATH, this film was a major improvement over many of his earlier films because it kept a very tight focus. The subject matter was clear and the film was a logical presentation of the facts. Third, the combination of music, interviews and recreations really worked together well--showing immense skill on his part. It just doesn't get any better than this.

Amazingly, although this wonderfully made film saved an innocent man, this guy later sued Morris!! How and why--you'll have to read through the IMDb trivia to find out more. The results of that suit, by the way, are not mentioned, but I'd sure like to know what became of that.

In 1976, Dallas police officer Robert W Wood was killed during a traffic stop. His partner was one of the first female police officers in Dallas. The car was stolen and she had problems recalling the event. Randall Dale Adams was eventually convicted for the crime. David Ray Harris had bragged about the killing but later claimed that it was Randall who killed the cop. David had picked up Randall hitchhiking and spend the day together. While Randall claimed to be with his brother, David claimed that he was with Randall who shot the cop.

This is a breakthrough Errol Morris documentary. The case itself is interesting and the fact that it actually helped overturn the case is impressive. There is a hypnotic beauty to the reenactments along with the Philip Glass music. The movie does take a little while to lay down the incident. I think a more straight forward recitation of the main facts of the case with narration at the beginning would be better. This is a ground breaking documentary.