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desertcart.com James Woods gives one of his finest performances in this flawed but fascinating film about imprisoned serial killer Carl Panzram, who was hanged in 1930 after he beat a prison worker to death--the last of a reported 21 killings. The film centers on the tentative trust and friendship between Panzram and prison guard Henry Lesser (Robert Sean Leonard), whose attempt to understand Panzram's violent life leads him to believe that Panzram could redeem himself from a life of crime. Told primarily in flashbacks, Panzram's story unfolds as Lesser reflects upon its significance. In reality Panzram's life was a constant succession of unspeakable acts and violent crimes; for the purposes of the film, writer-director Tim Metcalfe attempts to humanize Panzram's story, leaving the viewer to decide if Panzram was deservedly executed, or the victim of his own miserable past. The film's ambivalence--and its tendency to leave crucial questions unanswered--lessens its impact as a biographical drama, but Woods and Leonard work superbly together, and Metcalfe's script paints a vivid portrait of the criminal mind. The DVD includes a full-length director's commentary that fills in some of the factual details that the film leaves out. --Jeff Shannon Review: Review - Good quality and quick shipping. Will buy from them again Review: Dark psychology - Carl Panzram was a rage-filled psychopath who knew what he was. James Woods did an excellent job in this chilling story. It also presented us with disturbing questions about the treatment of prisoners...have we been guilty of making them worse? Panzram blamed his behavior on his childhood experiences, and the treatment he received in public institutions, beginning with his time in a reform school. The institutions use the "documentation" of treatment to defend any accusation of blame. Hey, like they would admit to beatings and confinement designed to break and terrorize boys in an effort to control them. I wish there had been more details about his experiences but that is a minor point. Panzram's fragile bond with probably the only person who ever showed him kindness and personal interest as a human being led him to write his story. I think the guard who befriended him finally figured out that he could never "help" Panzram, that this was a human being so damaged he would never be able to live outside an institution. Panzram simply wanted it to end, Excellent acting, dialogue, staging all around. Recommend it for anyone interested in dark psychology.
| ASIN | 6304517548 |
| Actors | Cara Buono, Ellen Greene, James Woods, Robert John Burke, Robert Sean Leonard |
| Aspect Ratio | 1.85:1 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #186,596 in Movies & TV ( See Top 100 in Movies & TV ) #27,090 in Drama DVDs |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (79) |
| Director | Tim Metcalfe |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Language | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) |
| MPAA rating | R (Restricted) |
| Media Format | Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Dolby, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen |
| Number of discs | 1 |
| Product Dimensions | 7.5 x 5.38 x 0.6 inches; 4 ounces |
| Release date | January 1, 1996 |
| Run time | 1 hour and 31 minutes |
| Studio | Republic Pictures |
| Subtitles: | English, Spanish |
| Writers | James Long, Thomas E. Gaddis, Tim Metcalfe |
A**E
Review
Good quality and quick shipping. Will buy from them again
K**N
Dark psychology
Carl Panzram was a rage-filled psychopath who knew what he was. James Woods did an excellent job in this chilling story. It also presented us with disturbing questions about the treatment of prisoners...have we been guilty of making them worse? Panzram blamed his behavior on his childhood experiences, and the treatment he received in public institutions, beginning with his time in a reform school. The institutions use the "documentation" of treatment to defend any accusation of blame. Hey, like they would admit to beatings and confinement designed to break and terrorize boys in an effort to control them. I wish there had been more details about his experiences but that is a minor point. Panzram's fragile bond with probably the only person who ever showed him kindness and personal interest as a human being led him to write his story. I think the guard who befriended him finally figured out that he could never "help" Panzram, that this was a human being so damaged he would never be able to live outside an institution. Panzram simply wanted it to end, Excellent acting, dialogue, staging all around. Recommend it for anyone interested in dark psychology.
M**E
VHS movies are so underrated
Though DVDs are still very popular, I still love watching VHS movies. This movie was one I preferred to watch on VHS. James Woods never ceases to amaze me when I watched his wonderful acting. His character is so flawed and yet so pitiful, it's a very emotional movie. It arrived in mint condition, the case and all. I didn't have to rewind it either, and there was nothing wrong with the picture or film itself. I will continue to buy movies from Amazon.com. :)
L**E
A good James Woods Movie
If you like dramas this is one that is above average and James Woods gives an excellent performance as well.
S**Y
Low budget film showcases James Woods talent
Carl Panzram (the talented James Woods) is arrested and jailed for theft, but while in prison confesses to killing 21 men (while being beaten by the prison guards). Newly appointed prison guard Henry Lesser (Robert Sean Leonard) feels sorry for Carl after seeing how badly he's been beaten, and gives the prisoner a dollar (a lot of money back in the 1920's). Thus starts up a very strange friendship. Lesser, against the rules, provides Carl with pencil and paper for Carl to write down his life story. We're taken back through Carl's life, mostly with flashbacks, to the mayhem his life had been. It seems the only time he attempted normal behavior was under a warden named Casey who actually trusted Carl until Carl, while out on one of his daytime trips, rapes an innocent librarian (played by Ellen Greene - Little Shop Of Horrors). While 'Killer' isn't a fast paced movie, it's nonetheless a very good movie. James Woods plays his role as a sociopath to perfection. The use of occasional black-and-white photography, the costume design, the props, and the old stills really create the atmosphere of the era. The dialogue is sharp and realistic. (Carl: "I do not intend to plead for pity or sympathy or mercy. What I demand is justice. You created me. Now you kill me.") The scene where the preacher comes to Carl's cell is priceless. Overall, if you liked 'The Green Mile' or just like James Woods' work, you should pick up or rent a copy of this film. Though obviously low budget, it works very well. Enjoy!
M**N
JAMES WOODS WAS GREAT
JAMES WOODS WAS SPECTACULAR IN THIS MOVIE. WHAT A GREAT ACTOR !! MOVIE IS VIOLENT AND A TRUE STORY. NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
T**N
Very good movie.
It was a good movie. Based on the life of a serial killer and filmed in my home state...which is also where James Woods lives.
P**T
Can't believe anyone could favorably review this film
Amateurish and melodramatic, lacking in depth and insight.
D**R
I bought this not knowing it didn’t play in English
C**A
CALIDAD DE IMAGEN UN PELIN MEDIOCRE
E**N
Great product as described by seller
U**E
excellent movie, great performance from woods, movie is loosley based on the life of Carl Panzram, a serial killer and rapist. Woods portrays him in a menacing and vicious way however what comes across is that Panzram was a product of the time and the prison sysyem of the time. Is this available on DVD? release
J**N
As described. Awsome movie!
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