Into the Abyss (2011)
- Directed by
- Werner Herzog
- Genre
- documentary film, drama film, prison film
- Country
- Germany, United Kingdom, United States
- Runtime
- 1h 47m
- Rated
- PG-13
- Rating
- 6.9 of 10 from 283 voters
- Elsewhere
- IMDb
The catalogue in 3D
The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.
How it feels
The filmmaker interviews people connected to a triple homicide in Texas, including the two convicted men and their families. He also talks to people who have worked on executions. The documentary focuses on how capital punishment affects everyone involved.
contemplativesomberrestrainedintimatesoberingconversationalgritty
What happens
Into the Abyss (subtitled A Tale of Death, a Tale of Life) is a 2011 documentary film written and directed by Werner Herzog. It is about capital punishment, and focuses on a triple homicide that occurred in Montgomery County, Texas, in 2001. In the film, Herzog interviews the two young men convicted of the crime, Michael Perry (who received a death sentence) and Jason Burkett (who was given a life sentence), as well as family members and acquaintances of the victims and criminals, and individuals who have taken part in executions in Texas. The primary focus of the film is not the details of the case or the question of Michael and Jason's guilt or innocence, and, although Herzog's voice can be heard as he conducts the interviews, there is a minimal amount of narration. He never appears onscreen, unlike in many of his films. The film was first screened on September 3, 2011, at the Telluride Film Festival, and had its official world premiere on September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival. After strong festival showings and a surge of interest in the issue of capital punishment in the United States, Herzog requested that the film be rushed into general theatrical release, which occurred on November 11, 2011. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)
More like this
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011)
Honk (2011)
The Life of David Gale (2003)
There Will Be No Stay (2015)
Made in the USA (2001)
Carl Panzram: The Spirit of Hatred and Vengeance (2011)
West of Memphis (2012)
Beyond Punishment (2015)- More like this film, on a shelf you can walk up to.It's the lit case on the top shelf.