Watch American Experience: The Island Murder

American Experience: The Island Murder is a gripping true crime documentary film that delves into the mysterious case of the 1932 murder of two young women on an island off the coast of New Hampshire. The film, released in 2018, is directed by Kathy Kasic and features acclaimed actress Blair Brown as the narrator. The documentary takes the audience back in time to the summer of 1932 when the island of Smuttynose, located off the coast of Maine, was a popular vacation spot for fishermen and their families. On March 5th, two Norwegian sisters, Karen and Anethe Christensen and their sister-in-law, Marie, were left alone on the island while their husbands went fishing for the day. That evening, a stranger arrived on the island and brutally murdered Karen and Anethe while Marie managed to escape in the dark of night.

The case caught the attention of the nation and sparked a massive manhunt that lasted for months. However, the killer was never caught, and the case went cold for several years. It wasn't until 1973 when author Maura Stanton published a book about the case called "The Seacoast of Bohemia" that the case was re-examined, leading to new revelations and theories about what happened that fateful night.

The Island Murder features interviews with descendants of the victims and the suspects, as well as historians and experts on the case. The documentary explores the social and political climate of the time, the role of the press in the case, and the impact on the community.

The film also delves into the lives of the two main suspects in the case. One of the prime suspects was a man named Louis Wagner, a fisherman with a violent history who lived on a neighboring island. Wagner was brought to trial twice for the murder but was ultimately acquitted due to lack of evidence. To this day, his guilt or innocence remains a topic of debate.

The other suspect was a local man named John Hontvet, who was seen on the island around the time of the murders. Despite being named as a suspect, no charges were ever filed against him, and he was largely forgotten by history until the case was reopened in the 1970s.

Overall, American Experience: The Island Murder is a well-researched and compelling documentary that sheds light on a case that has fascinated true crime enthusiasts for nearly a century. The film is rich in detail and offers a balanced perspective on the events leading up to the murders and the aftermath of the crime. Blair Brown's narration is understated and effective, allowing the story to speak for itself. For fans of true crime, American Experience: The Island Murder is a must-watch.

American Experience: The Island Murder is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes.