Devil's Knot - 15/06/2014
Based on actual events that occurred in 1993/94 in West Memphis, Arkansas in which three 8-year old boys go missing on May 5th and their bodies are found two days later, mutilated and tied.
I knew nothing of the event before going into the film, so really didn't know what we were going in to watch.
Having subsequently read more about the case, it seems the the film was pretty accurate in it's portrayal.
With the parents and the town looking for suspects rapidly, the local police department seems to pin the murders onto 3 teenagers who have dabbled in the occult and are known to be practicing satanic rituals. As the cases progress the lack of tangible evidence and the fact that statements are forced and re-worded really makes you wonder if the accused are actually guilty. As I said, with little knowledge of the case itself, I started with a real distaste for the teenagers and wondered why someone would try to defend them when they are so clearly guilty, but then as more (or less) evidence appeared I was actually shocked when the death sentence was given to the eldest (and seemingly ring leader) of the West Memphis 3.
Presented as a film/documentary courtroom drama, Devil's Knot hits home a little more. I was reminded of a kidnapping whilst Clare and I were in America of a little Baby called Lisa. This was on the news every single day and on every news channel and the media was convinced what had happened with very little evidence. I also thought of the Soham Murders in the UK where two young girls went out one evening and did not return. It is frightening that these things do happen.
Devil's Knot is more a film for a Sunday Evening rather that a trip to the cinema. Netflix will put this into the factual films section and it may get missed by many. Colin Firth is great as usual, although I am not sure he suits an american accent, and Reese Witherspoon plays the grieving mum very well.
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