Product Details

• Directors: Kevin MacCarthy
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: October 10, 1999
• Run Time: 47 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00002SSLK
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,589 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #65 in	Video > Documentary > Independently Distributed
  #72 in	Video > Documentary > Biography

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"A jury acquitted Lizzie. In a crime novel, someone would say, 'the killer is still loose out there somewhere!'

Okay, which killer? And where?"
-Author Ed McBain on Lizzie Borden

Lizzie Borden took an axe,
and gave her mother 40 whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
she gave her father 41.

Or so goes the nursery rhyme. But a hundred years later how many people know the real story of Lizzie Borden? Guilty in the minds of many, Lizzie was tried, but never convicted of the gruesome hatchet murders of Abby and Andrew Borden.

It is a fascinating murder-mystery, reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. Once we reopen the Lizzie Borden case, the nursery rhyme may no longer sound as convincing, especially when we hear the shocking "solution" to the case, posed by one of our best-known crime fiction writers, Ed McBain.

A brave new genre in storytelling, Case Reopened fuses history, mystery and scientific research by enlisting the greatest minds in crime fiction to re-examine some of our most notorious unsolved crimes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For a history junkie, December 15, 2001

By	C.M. (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

The story of Lizzie Borden and what went on in her house more than 100 years ago is a fascinating one. But this documentary is the best I've seen. While other documentaries spend a lot of time going over the very gruesome deaths of Lizzie's step-mother and father, Mr. McCain sets out for answers. So he interviews authors and historians about the case and about Lizzie's life. The result is wonderful. I still don't know who killed the two people, but let's face it, no one does. It's great to get some fresh insights into other people that could have done the dastardly deeds. Highly recommended!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well...not innocent, February 4, 2001

By	R. L Taylor (Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It was good to see more than one theory. Let's face it, we don't know what happened that day, it could have happened many ways! This documentary gives you more than one idea to play around with and allows you to think about the facts and come to your own conclusions. After seeing all the many ways in which this could have happened, I still believe Lizzie had both hands in the mix.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sick and Twisted But True , March 5, 2005

By	Hedley Lamarr (kentucky, United States) - See all my reviews

Very interesting program. What makes this so interesting, is the fact that a list of things point to Lizzie (well lets say more things point to her, than anyone else) However, there is in most of our minds, some doubt in her actions, and the strange actions of several other people. If I had been on the Jury, and we used the science of 1892-3 I would have thought (after reading the 1970 page trial) She had the best chance and the closest motive for being the murderer. However, with the evidence presented at the trial, even though I think she did it, my verdict would have to be - not guilty. However, lets look at the positive side. The Borden Murder has made lots of people money and even helped out lots of animals due to Lizzie and Emma's will....... The truth is you can rant and rave all you want, and you can disagree with this video.... But what makes it so interesting, is since 1892, and my guess well into 2192, is all the "missing pieces, & all the if's, and's, & but's" - It's the mystery, and the debate we love so much. Not the fact that two humans were killed.