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| Movie Review: Sacco and Vanzetti Alternate Title: Justice Denied
Story: Those of you out there
who are very young, I hope you don't think that Sacco & Vanzetti
is the name of a clothing line or wine label. Nicola Sacco and Bartolemo Vanzetti
were executed in Massachusetts in 1927. They represented, arguably,
the biggest miscarriage of justice of the 20th century. Documentary filmmakerPeter Miller details the notorious
case step by step. He reveals the tenor of the times, during the Red
Scare, when immigrants were rounded up, jailed and/or deported without
cause or trial. Sound familiar? The two Italian immigrants were a part of the growing Anarchist movement.
Guilt by association caused them to be falsely arrested and ultimately
charged with robbery and murder. They became a cause celebre, with worldwide
demonstrations. Their trial was a mockery of justice complete with falsified
evidence, lying witnesses and a bigoted judge. The case inspired writers, musicians and artists to create masterpieces.
My favorite series of inspired art is by Ben Shahn. http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=ben%20shahn%20sacco%20and%20vanzetti&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi If you are a history nut like me this moving story will grab you and
make for some table pounding rage when you get home. For more info on
this case go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacco_and_Vanzetti Acting: It is presented as a documentary with talking
heads. The voiceover's of Sacco and Vanzetti are by John Turturro
and Tony Shalhoub.
Predilection: I have always been fascinated by this
particular miscarriage of justice.
Critters: None
Food: No time for food while protesting injustice
Soundtrack: A nice blend of songs with a performance
by Arlo Guthrie at the end singing a song that his
father, Woody, wrote at the time of the injustice.
Opening Titles: Simple white type setting the time
and place.
Visual Art: Nice file footage of the crowds and locales
of the protests.
Theater Audience: About 20 other anarchists.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: It is very squirmy indeed to watch
our Constitution, Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties go down the toilet.
Drift Factor: I could not help but think about what
similarities are happening now to our Constitution, Bill of Rights and
Civil Liberties.
Predictability Level: I am very familiar with this
true story so for me there was no factor here.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Soap Box: Don't get me started about our Government's
history of trashing the Constitution with its witch hunts against people
who are 'different'.
Big Screen or Rental: This could easily be a rental.
A 1971 film called Sacco and Vanzetti is also available for a rental.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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