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SACCO AND VANZETTI - DVD Movie
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Food For Thought,
By
This review is from: Sacco and Vanzetti (DVD)
I had the good fortune to see this film when it was shown in New York this past Spring. I brought my 14 year old daughter with me, albeit with some misgivings as I was concerned that she would be bored with a "history lesson"... my fears were unfounded. My daughter was mezmerized by this film, and spent the last 20 minutes literally on the edge of her seat. Afterwards she asked, "Why don't they show things like this in school?"
Whatever your political leanings or views on illegal immigration may be this movie is a fascinating study of what happened to these two men. I suggest that you take the time to view and make up your own mind as to whether these men were guilty, or merely convenient scapegoats.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable history lesson,
By drama lover (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sacco and Vanzetti (DVD)
Although a drama lover, I do enjoy a good documentary--and this is a good one. Most of us, I suspect, have heard the names Sacco and Vanzetti, but I bet that most don't recall the details of the case. This film is a concise, 82-minute documentary that covers the background of the two men, the crime that took place, the evidence (or lack thereof) which convicted them, and the public outcry over the trial and execution. It's nicely done, using both still photos and some clips from an earlier (and currently unavailable) film, as well as interviews with people close to the case. It's well-paced; it tells the story, but doesn't drag. Many of the stills are quite lovely and I really enjoyed the soundtrack. A fine example of documentary filmmaking--and a history lesson with relevance today.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Guilty Until Proven Innocent: "The Passion of Sacco and Vanzetti",
By
This review is from: Sacco and Vanzetti (DVD)
Ever since high school I have been immediately intrigued and drawn to the story of Sacco and Vanzetti. Edna St. Vincent Millay's pungent poem, "Justice Denied in Massachusetts" was a part of our American Literature textbook, and ever since we read that poem, I have yearned to learn more. Coming across bits and pieces over the years, my curiosity wasn't satisfied until this recent documentary. There are a lot of candidates for "Trial of the Century". The Lindburgh Trial was chief contender for a long while until O.J., but big things come in threes. "Sacco and Vanzetti" has to be up there. Using a plethora of interviewees and actual film of the defendants, including swelling crowds of protestors, Director Peter Miller and Editor Amy Carey Linton draw upon a wealth of material and angles of the trial.
Many historians are present and much of the trials' testimonies have been documented. Throw in some modern ballistics experts, letters by the defendants, and interviews with living relatives of key people, and you have a rich and condensed viewing experience. They even have artists testify to the powerful inspiration of Sacco and Vanzetti with repercussions in painting, literature, film, and movies. Some of the film has clips from Guiliano Montaldo's 1971 movie of the men as well as other performances, including a passionate invocation by Henry Fonda. A smooth and detailed sense of history pervades the documentary. When narrating their upbringing in Italy, they bring footage of their childhood neighborhoods. Even Nicola Sacco's niece is interviewed in Italy with subtitles translated into English. Historians like David Kaiser do a skillful job of piecing together the steps that led to their arrest and subsequent executions. Giving background of the "red scare" of the 1920's (and I only thought that was in the '50's), the mistrust of foreigners, the smearing and deportation of many Italians, they shed light on Sacco and Vanzetti's vulnerability. Mainly, guilt by association was used by two men who believed in anarchy and socialism (mostly the latter for the horrible conditions for their fellow Italians). If I had a criticism of the movie, it's how they stack the deck. They don't have too many guests who debate in favor of the guilt of Sacco and Vanzetti, but maybe there weren't any takers. Of course that may be poetic justice for the lack of justice at their trial. After watching the documentary, I believe what I suspected in my bones for years: That they were innocent. However, the historians are good at conceding there are holes in places in favor of their innocence. One of the merits of the film is how they sort out the evidence. But, what they do prove beyond a shadow of a doubt is that the trial was unfair. It is the principle of the justice system to implement the credo: "Innocent until proven guilty." And this clearly wasn't served. To give just one example in the film, they document how during the implicated bank robbery and murder on December 24, 1919, Bartolomeo Vanzetti, a street fish vendor, was selling eels to his Italian neighbors to fulfill an Italian Christmas Eve tradition. Presenting conflicting evidence and the documented biases of the presiding judge, 'Sacco and Vanzetti' is a fascinating and absorbing ride through a landmark piece of the past. With clarity and a keen vision, the film makes a great case for our benefit. Even drawing some analogies of today, the movie does an admirable job of becoming a cautionary tale without overdoing it. Clocking in at 1:23, the documentary is never tedious nor does it take extraneous detours. There's so much more evidence to take in, but this treasure is meant to be unearthed for yourself. (Also featuring Studs Terkel and Arlo Guthrie.)
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