First-Ever Trilogy from Docurama Films Chronicles “West Memphis Three” from Their Arrests in June 1993 to Their Release from Prison in August 2011
PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY, the final installment of HBO’s Paradise Lost trilogy, will release today on DVD, one year after the West Memphis Three’s historic release from prison in August 2011. At that time, many in the media credited the films with playing a significant role in the three men winning their freedom. THE PARADISE LOST TRILOGY COLLECTOR’S EDITION, which includes all three films and a bonus disc, releases on November 6. The collector’s edition includes over an hour of rarely-seen footage, a never-before-seen complete interview with Jason Baldwin — his first interview as a free man — on the morning of his release from prison, and a collectible booklet featuring exclusive photography spanning nearly two decades from behind-the-scenes of the films’ production.
Berlinger and Sinofsky began filming the conclusion to their trilogy in 2004. New developments from the case that were unavailable during the originals trials — allegations of juror misconduct, recent DNA and forensic evidence — are brought to light in the latest installment. PURGATORY features new interviews with Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley from prison, plus news coverage of the case and additional interviews with family, friends and key participants in the trials.
With an extraordinary perspective of three films spanning nearly two decades, the Paradise Lost trilogy is a provocative examination of American justice and a celebration of the power of cinema to effect social change.
PURGATORY was nominated for a 2012 Academy Award® for Best Documentary, two Emmy® Awards: Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking and Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming, and received the National Board of Review’s Best Documentary Award. The film was nominated for the 2012 Director’s Guild of America Award (DGA) for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary and received the “Most Valuable Documentary of the Year” award at Berlin’s Cinema for Peace Awards. After premiering at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, the film was re-edited to include the dramatic release of the three men before it screened at the New York Film Festival.
The DVD includes:
- Four Bonus Scenes: Blood on the Necklace, Evidence Lost, The Prosecution’s Case and A Recantation. The scenes reveal crucial evidence lost by the police, courtroom footage and testimonies from witnesses not shown in the film.
- Press Day Panel Discussion at HBO studios with Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. They gather for the first time since their prison release and discuss life during and after prison, the support from the public and the judicial and political actions in Arkansas.
- Interview with Filmmakers: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky reflect on their arrival in West Memphis, the making of their latest film and their reactions to the prison release.
- Filmmaker Bios
The WM3 Trilogy is phenomenal. I wanted to do a write-up of it myself, but it's so much information to fully comprehend (especially since watching the trials is devastating). This story has really come to light, and it's about time!
ReplyDeleteThe events, and these documentaries had a profound effect on me.
DeleteI couldn't not write something.
I am so pleased to see people are learning about the story and expressing an interest.