Review of Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. (1999) by Lavaughn H — 03 Jan 2008
Errol Morris is a genius. He sets the standard for documentarians by presenting his footage in such a moving yet convoluted way that his feelings on the subject aren't always clear. That's a welcome relief from the documentaries of today which are often about a director's personality and personal views more than anything else.
In fact, Morris unwittingly plays with the idea of subjectivity and controversial topics within this film, perhaps an interesting homage to the impending rise of the Michael Moores of the documentary scene in the years after this film.
Anyway, the film follows Fred Leuchter, as an electrical engineer, works to redo the electric chair in NC. Afterwards, he is sought as an expert witness in a Canadian trial concerning neo-Nazism and Holocaust denial.
The story is quite strange, and Morris does it perfectly. B+.
This review of Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. (1999) was written by Lavaughn H on 03 Jan 2008.
Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. has generally received very positive reviews.
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