Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011, documentary) - Horrific West Memphis crime saga concludes

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An investigation-like collage of images and tagline text covers this dark poster for Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

 

In 1994, three eight-year old boys are found murdered near their home in West Memphis, Arkansas. Weeks later three outcast young men are tried and found guilty of the crime. Many years later their innocence is realized by the judicial system.

 

Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory is directed by Joe Berlinger (The Longest Wave (2019, documentary)) and Bruce Sinofsky (Hollywood High (2003, TV movie)). It is the third and final film in the pair's Paradise Lost trilogy, coming after Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996, documentary) and Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000, TV documentary).

Especially for those unfamiliar with the widely publicized story of the West Memphis Three, this film is a serious round, which is already clear from the visuals of the murdered, naked bodies at the crime scene during the opening titles. The story is a jaw-dropping crime that turns into a legal tragedy, which reaches absolutely horrifying heights, when we are dealt clear indications of the identity of the true child triple killer, - and the law system acts indifferently. This may very well destroy your night's sleep.

The excellent documentary could be critiqued for its religiously loaded title, - and what it precisely refers to is unclear. In the context the thoroughly sympathetic treatment of Damian Echols (one of the imprisoned three), who later moves, of all places, to Salem, Massachusetts, may cause some to wonder. The wrongfully convicted lament an insensitive legal system in the film's end, but the filmmakers' treatment of the crime scene photos in its opening montage is also insensitive.

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: Unknown

Box office: Unknown

= Uncertain

[Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory premiered 11 September (Toronto International Film Festival) and runs 121 minutes. Shooting took place in Arkansas. The film was screened at several festivals and seemingly enjoyed a general release in just one market (Brazil of all places) before screening at HBO. It was nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar, lost to Undefeated. It was also nominated for 2 Emmys and won a National Board of Review award, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3.5/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. Berlinger returned with Under African Skies (2012, documentary); Sinofsky with 4 TV credits, starting with Oprah's Master Class: Special Edition (2012, TV movie). Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory is fresh at 100 % with a 7.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

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