David Kaczynski Documentary: "An American Life: The Journey from Violence to Hope."

Death Penalty-related Movies (non-documentary):

Note: All films are available through Blockbuster, Netflix or your library through Interlibrary Loan.

Dead Man Walking. This acclaimed film traces the relationship between a death row
inmate and the nun to whom he turns for spiritual guidance in the days leading up to
his scheduled execution. 1995. 122 min.
 

The Exonerated. Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover star in this film based upon the
stage play. Actual court depositions, transcripts, letters, and
interviews comprise the chilling and moving script that chronicles the stories of six
wrongly convicted death row inmates. 2005. 90 minutes. This film can be purchased
directly from www.amnestyusa.org/abolish.
 

The Green Mile. Set on Death Row in a Southern prison in 1935, this is the story of the
cellblock’s head guard, who develops a poignant, unusual relationship with one
inmate who possesses a magical gift that is both mysterious and miraculous. 1999.
188 min.

The Life of David Gale A respected death penalty opponent, finds himself on death
row for the rape and murder of fellow activist Constance Hallaway. With only three
days before his scheduled execution, Gale, in an effort to reveal the truth, agrees to
give reporter Bitsey Bloom an exclusive interview that ends with a terrible discovery.
2003. 131 min.

Monster. Actress Charlize Theron stars as serial killer Aileen Wuornos, who was
executed in Florida on October 9, 2002. Director Patty Jenkins chronicles the love
story between Wuornos and Selby Wall, played by Christina Ricci, and the
transformation Wuornos undergoes from being a prostitute and victim of abuse, to
contemplating suicide, to becoming a cold-blooded murderer. 2003. 109 min.

Documentaries

After Innocence:Tells the true life, compelling stories of exonerated
prisoners, examining the trials and tribulations waiting for them upon their release
from prison. It also examines the U.S. justice system and the flaws that led to the
wrongful conviction of these men. 2005. Check www.afterinnocence.com for
screenings in your area.
 

The Closure Myth. Traces one woman’s dramatic transformation from being
consumed by desire to seek the death penalty as revenge for her daughter’s
murderer to her realization that only in forgiveness would she find closure. 2007. 43
minute
 

The Empty Chair. Four stories of murder victim’s families reliving the crimes and
confronting the loss of loved ones. Reactions range from revenge and desire for
punishment to searching for forgiveness and healing. With commentary by Sister
Helen Prejean. 2003. 52 min. www.justiceproductions.org
 

Juan Melendez 6446. As told by Melendez himself, his mother, lawyers, and friends, this presents the story of a Puerto Rican migrant farmer raised in New York City and accused for a murder in the state of Florida. While claiming his innocence, Meléndez was sentenced in five days and put on death row for 17 years, 8 months and 1 day after his exoneration on January 3rd, 2002. 45 min, 2009. To obtain a copy, write to info@nyadp.org
 

Race to Execution. By Rachel Lyon, this film follows the stories of two death row
inmates and exposes how race infects America’s death penalty system. Much more
information at www.pbs.org/independentlens/racetoexecution/. 2006
 

The Thin Blue Line. Through the use of reenactments of the crime, photo montages, film
clips, and interviews, this is a reconstruction and investigation of the 1976 murder of a
Dallas policeman and the subsequent arrest and sentencing to death of a man who
claims to be innocent. 1988. 101 min.
 

Too Flawed to Fix. A powerful documentary that explores and exposes the irreparable
flaws in the criminal justice system by examining the 13 individuals who were
wrongfully convicted and released from Illinois’ death row. 2002. 1 hr. and 15 min.
versions available. To order the video, email: tooflawedtofix@hotmail.com.
 

The Trials of Daryl Hunt. This documentary offers a deeply personal story of a wrongfully
convicted man who spent twenty years in prison in North Carolina for a crime he did
not commit. 2006. 106 minutes. http://www.breakthrufilms.org/

Books

The Death Penalty Information Center has an extensive annotated bibliography on death penalty topics. See

DEATH PENALTY BOOKS

Additional Books:

Faith.  A novel by JoAnn Welsh. CreateSpace, 2010. Available on Amazon.com.

Thriller writer Robert Grant's best friend Dan Trevaine is scheduled to be executed for the bombing of a hotel near Penn State, tried in the wake of September 11th and the war on terror. How do you believe in a system that kills your best friend? Robert confronts challenges to his faith in his country, family and friends as he investigates the crime. Reality shakes the foundation of his beliefs about right and wrong and lands his family in the hands of terrorists. Will they let him live long enough to reveal what he knows, or will Bobby himself choose to suppress the surprising facts behind the crime? In a world of waterboarding and Guantanamo, of airline bombings and collateral damage, "doing the right thing" seems more complicated than ever.

Beyond the Bullet: Personal Stories of Gun Violence Aftermath by Heidi Yewman.
http://www.beyondthebulletbook.com/heidi.html