Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

West of Memphis Blu-ray Movie Review

A search for truth.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 5, 2013

If one were to conduct a survey of the general public and query subjects about the origins of the media frenzied court cases and the highest of the high profile trials, many might respond that it was the O.J. Simpson spectacle that was the first of the major modern era headline-grabbing, news channel dominating, cameras-in-the-courtroom media circus trials that would continue on a startlingly regular basis with names ranging, literally, from A (Anthony) to Z (Zimmerman) capturing the attention of the world and dividing citizens playing media-influenced judge, jury, and executioner. People from the Eastern Arkansas city of West Memphis, however, would probably respond differently. While O.J was certainly the largest of these and unquestionably established the trend of the 24/7 nonstop trial coverage on television, West Memphis was, a year prior, home to its own show trial when three local teenagers were arrested and convicted of the brutal, "satanically influenced" murder of three younger boys. It was a case that brought a small city to a halt, enflamed tensions, and engendered the sort of bloodlust that could only be contained with quick closure. So intense was the pressure to convict that the case was littered with sloppy police work and the trial shady and poor prosecutorial techniques in an effort to get somebody -- anybody -- behind bars. West of Memphis more deeply explores the murders, the convicted, and the people around them, casting serious doubt on the official story and pointing towards a more likely suspect.

On trial.

On May 5, 1993, three West Memphis, Arkansas boys -- Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers -- went missing. By the following afternoon, their bodies had been recovered. In 1994, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley were convicted of the murders, the former sentenced to death while Baldwin and Misskelley were given life sentences. The evidence: supposed satanic mutilation and an unorthodox confession from Jessie Misskelley. The arrest, trial, and sentencing were accompanied by a media frenzy that only fueled the rush to convict and a city's understandable need for answers. West of Memphis examines new evidence brought to light, sorts through new ideas that exonerate the so-called "West Memphis 3," and place a spotlight on a new suspect, Terry Hobbs, victim Steve Branch's stepfather.

West of Memphis isn't just an exploratory documentary. It's a work of passion made by people who want to make a difference, not a profit. It's made by people who seek truth and crave justice, and that deep, heartfelt passion is evident in every moment. West of Memphis tells a brutally honest story of lives cut short and lives forever changed by the court of public opinion more so than the court of laws, the bodies of evidence, the burdens of proof. The film isn't so much about a miscarriage of justice but rather how the justice system can -- and does -- fail under outside pressures, when the quick need for answers outweighs the methodical search for truth. The picture paints a damning portrait of the trial and the evidence therein from several critical angles, including manipulated confessions and sloppy medical examination, enough, certainly, to cast serious doubt, doubt that may have been more fully explored had the trial proceeded under more controlled circumstances and in a calmer arena both inside and outside the courtroom. It's not a conviction of the court or the system but rather a conviction of the sort of understandably hurtful words, heightened emotions, and need for quick closure that led to the conviction. This was the proverbial "perfect storm" of factors that led to the imprisonment of three young men and this is the story of what was, what should have been, what now is, and what might someday be, some nineteen years in the making.

West of Memphis isn't the only film to explore the West memphis case. HBO has produced a trilogy of films entitled Paradise Lost that chronicle the story of the murders, the convictions, and ultimately the release of the "West Memphis 3." This, however, is the superior primer. Despite cramming nineteen years of history into around 150 minutes, the film never feels deprived of facts or any important piece of the story. It's thorough and quite convincing in its presentation, aided not only by the evidence but the real passion that shows in every frame. The picture is defined by its heart and conviction but built through archival footage, new interviews, plausible theories, and a number of hypothesis that paint a fascinating portrait not necessarily of the undeniable guilt of Terry Hobbs in the murders but that do provide enough evidence to portray him as a likely prime suspect. What West of Memphis does well, then, is not to all-out vilify Hobbs as those in the West Memphis community once vilified Echold, Baldwin, and Misskelley -- two wrongs don't make a right -- but to raise more awareness rather than increase raw emotions. There's always that danger that freeing one innocent might condemn another simply by moving the direction of the spotlight, but West of Memphis seems to take a somewhat guarded approach, presenting evidence and making a case but not going so far as to unequivocally convict in a very public court of digital opinion.

West of Memphis Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

West of Memphis arrives on Blu-ray with an HD video-photographed high definition presentation. The new HD clips, generally, look quite nice. There's the expectedly solid color balance and high level of clarity and detail. The image appears sharp and perfectly defined around the entire frame. Facial details are revealed to nearly natural levels with almost no feel of pastiness or flatness. The image is also comprised of archival news and television footage -- much of it wavy standard definition video modified to fill the 1.78:1 frame -- and still photographs and newspaper clippings of varying qualities, some showing moderate signs of aging and wear-and-tear. As is always the case with older standard definition material brought to Blu-ray, the inherent lesser quality doesn't factor into the score. The scored HD footage does show light banding and aliasing in a few spots, but is otherwise handsome and highly proficient. In short, the movie looks great on Blu-ray, and the narrative is strong enough to mask what would be an otherwise jarring transition to low-resolution footage.

West of Memphis Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

West of Memphis' DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is surprisingly active and occasionally robust. It's not so active and robust as to dominate the theater or interfere with the narrative -- this is still a dialogue Documentary at its core -- but it does enhance the feel of the picture to an honest degree. There are good, natural, if not somewhat engineered, sounds of motion, largely in the form of moving vehicles, notably cars but sometimes trains. The transition of sound form one speaker to the next is largely seamless. Musical delivery is well done; clarity is strong and spacing efficient. The low end chimes in on occasion with tight, manageable bass. There's no loss of dialogue integrity in the newer footage; material hailing from older 1990s clips, however, is rightly left to fend for itself and it hasn't aged well. Again, the score reflects only newer material, not elements that cannot sound inherently better.

West of Memphis Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

West of Memphis contains a quality, and rather lengthy, assortment of supportive content.

• Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Amy Berg, Damien Echols, and Producer Lorri Davis speak on making the film, the story behind it, and the purpose behind the film. There's a good deal of insight into the history, the filmmaking process, even life in prison that's not reflected in the film. Audiences whose interest was piqued by the film definitely need to give this track a listen.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 1:27:43): Nearly ninety minutes of additional segments. Scenes include Vicki & Aaron, The Confession, West Memphis 3 Panel Discussion, Jeffrey Deskovic, Anything Made of Paper, Pam Revisits Crime Scene, and Jury Misconduct.
• Toronto International Film Festival Red Carpet Q&A (HD, 23:14): Amy Berg, Lorri Davis, Johnny Depp, Damien Echols, and Natalie Maines speak on the red carpet. Next, Peter Jackson appears via video to introduce the film, followed by Berg, Davis, Depp, Echols, and Maines fielding questions after a screening.
• Toronto International Film Festival Press Conference (HD, 38:49): Tom Powers moderates a press conference with Amy Berg, Damien Echols, Lorri Davis, Johnny Depp, and Peter Jackson (via Skype), all of whom answer questions surrounding the film.
• Damien's Past (Re-Creations) (HD): A few additional stories from Damien's past, including Damien & Deanna (1:40), Dad Leaving (2:44), Skateboarding (1:01), and Trenchcoat (0:56).
• West of Memphis Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:04).
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

West of Memphis Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

West of Memphis is a fascinating Documentary chronicling a sprawling history of uncertainty, mistruths, poor official procedure, and a failing not so much of the system but of the people running it. It's a riveting account of a crime that remains officially solved but unofficially wide open. It will leave audiences wanting more answers; this is a starting point rather than the final word on the matter, but it makes a strong case for its side that's well researched and supported. Sony's Blu-ray release of West of Memphis offers high quality video and audio. A healthy assortment of extras are included. Highly recommended.