Watch Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost is a chilling documentary film that delves into the lives of three teenagers - Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley - who were convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993. The documentary was released in 1996 and directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky. The film is considered to be one of the most powerful documentaries ever made and has received critical acclaim for its exploration of the case and its portrayal of the American justice system.

The film opens with footage of the crime scene, which is disturbing and graphic. The three eight-year-old boys were found naked and hog-tied in a drainage ditch, with signs of apparent ritualistic killing. The documentary then moves on to the trial, which took place in a climate of moral panic and satanic hysteria. The prosecution painted the teenagers as satanic cult members who sacrificed the boys as part of a ritual. There was no physical evidence linking the teenagers to the crime, and the prosecution relied on dubious testimony from coerced witnesses, circumstantial evidence, and hearsay.

The documentary challenges the prosecution's case and raises serious doubts about the teenagers' guilt. It follows the defense team's efforts to prove their innocence, including the use of expert witnesses to discredit the prosecution's forensic evidence. It also highlights the media frenzy and public hysteria around the case, which led to the teenagers being labeled as monsters and outcasts in their own community.

The film is particularly notable for its focus on the teenagers themselves. The filmmakers spend time with Damien, Jason, and Jessie, interviewing them in jail and showing footage of their lives before the trial. They humanize the teenagers and show the impact of the case on their families and loved ones. It becomes clear that the three boys were scapegoated and unfairly targeted by a system that was more concerned with putting someone, anyone, behind bars than with finding the real killers.

The film raises important questions about the American justice system and the way it can be influenced by public opinion and media hysteria. It shows how unreliable eyewitness testimony and coerced confessions can lead to wrongful convictions. It also highlights the role of class and race in the criminal justice system. The teenagers were poor and from broken homes, and their lack of privilege made them easy targets for a system that is all too often biased against those who are different.

Overall, Paradise Lost is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary film that explores the complexities of the American justice system and the impact of mass media and public opinion on criminal trials. It is a moving tribute to the teenagers at the center of the case and a reminder of the importance of a fair and impartial justice system. The film has had a significant impact in bringing attention to the flaws and injustices of the criminal justice system, and it remains a must-see documentary for anyone interested in these issues.

Paradise Lost is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes.