The Thin Blue Line (1988)

A film that successfully argued that a man was wrongly convicted for murder by a corrupt justice system in Dallas County, Texas.

Director:

Errol Morris

Stars:

Randall Adams, David Harris, Gus Rose

12 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Randall Adams	...	Self
David Harris	...	Self
Gus Rose	...	Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
Jackie Johnson	...	Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
Marshall Touchton	...	Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
Dale Holt	...	Self - Internal Affairs Investigator in Dallas
Sam Kittrell	...	Self - Police Detective in Vidor
Hootie Nelson	...	Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
Dennis Johnson	...	Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
Floyd Jackson	...	Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
Edith James	...	Self - Defense Attorney
Dennis White	...	Self - Defense Attorney
Don Metcalfe	...	Self - The Judge
Emily Miller	...	Self - Surprise Eyewitness
R.L. Miller	...	Self - Surprise Eyewitness

Storyline

Errol Morris's unique documentary dramatically re-enacts the crime scene and investigation of a police officer's murder in Dallas, Texas. Briefly, a drifter (Randall Adams) ran out of gas and was picked up by a 16-year-old runaway (David Harris). Later that night, they drank some beer, smoked some marijuana, and went to the movies. Then, their stories diverged. Adams claimed that he left for his motel, where he was staying with his brother, and went to sleep. Harris, however, said that they were stopped by police late that night, and Adams suddenly shot the officer approaching their car. The film shows the audience the evidence gathered by the police, who were under extreme pressure to clear the case. It strongly makes a point that the circumstantial evidence was very flimsy. In fact, it becomes apparent that Harris was a much more likely suspect and was in the middle of a crime spree, eventually ending up on Death Row himself for the later commission of other crimes. Morris implies ...

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Plot Keywords:

color in title | reenactment | wrongful conviction | hitchhiking | ku klux klan | 

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Taglines:

A softcore movie, Dr. Death, a chocolate milkshake, a nosey blonde and "The Carol Burnett Show." Solving this mystery is going to be murder.

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Genres:

Documentary | Crime

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2008, "Variety" credited the film as "the most political work of cinema in the last 20 years".

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Quotes

Randall Adams: You have a D.A, he doesn't talk about when they convict you, or how they convict you. He's talking about how he's going to kill ya. He don't give a damn if you're innocent, he don't give a damn if you're guilty. He's talking... about killing ya.

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Crazy Credits

In memory of my brother Noel Ian Morris (1942-1983)

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Island/November/Last Days/The Devil's Rejects/Hustle & Flow (2005)

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Soundtracks

Metamorphosis
(uncredited)
Written by Philip Glass

User Reviews

An astonishing look at the criminal justice system.

Along with 1996's Paradise Lost, The Thin Blue Line should be mandatory viewing for those who believe that the criminal justice system eventually convicts only the guilty. It is a stark and shocking look at one man behind bars and the truckloads of evidence that point toward his innocence. Documentarian Errol Morris indirectly argues that, at the very least, this evidence should have presented a "reasonable doubt" to the jury, and near the end of the movie, the audience has little choice but to accept his unbelievable findings. And the film ends with a single scene of just a tape recorder and voices that should be recognized as one of the most powerful endings to a movie, ever. A documentary masterpiece.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Thin Blue Line

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,814, 28 August 1988

Gross USA:

$1,209,846

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,209,846

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Playhouse, Channel 4 Television Corporation, Third Floor Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1