WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

ShangLuda Admirable film.

Jacomedi A Surprisingly Unforgettable Movie!

Tymon Sutton The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Shari While watching this documentary, I could tell that the viewer was meant to feel sympathy for these convicted murderers, but it just didn't happen for me. Everything they said, everything they were asked... I just found myself growing more and more angry with them and with the notion that I SHOULD feel any kind of sympathy for them based on what they were saying.One of them mentioned not being able to hug his little girl. That's sad. Unfortunately, his victims' parents will never be able to hug, see or speak to their children again. That's sadder.Someone said that he hadn't seen his wife in two years. That's a real shame. Unfortunately, his victims will never be able to find a partner and get married in the first place. That's an even bigger shame.We also hear from a family member who is saddened that she can't spend holidays with her incarcerated loved one. I feel for her there. Unfortunately, the victims' families are no longer able to do anything at any time with their murdered loved one. I feel for them more.One fellow talks about making his peace with God before the date of his execution and how finite life feels when you know what date your life will end. That's profound, but I somehow doubt he cared if his victims had made their peace with God before he brought about their unexpected and violent ends.We also are told about how another inmate at one of the prisons was given his lethal injection improperly, which apparently caused some discomfort for him. How terrible. Maybe he should have been given the option of having his life ended the way he ended his victims' lives? Although I doubt that would be more pleasant than an improperly placed syringe.As icing on the cake, we hear from a fellow that a prior altercation with his victim had been "very humiliating" for him. Words fail me here. Am I supposed to feel pity for him? Sympathy? I only feel rage.Ultimately, every part I have seen of this documentary has turned my stomach completely. If that was the goal of the film-maker, then his mission was accomplished... but I have the feeling that his goal was to make me feel sympathy for these complete monsters who, in my opinion, should be grateful for the life they still have (as opposed to the lack of life they've inflicted on their victims).

De-illusionist I knew Herzog as Grizzry Man's Director,And a little nervous how he treat the inmates,some of them were near execution.I found Director has favorite inmate,(Joseph Garcia,Hank Skinner)and moderate (George Rivas)and not a TV program but related series,he didn't like Michael Perry. I could see it too clearly,it means,Director was not doing a job as Professional. He didn't mentioned victim so much,but I can understand it as program's stance.this is and people on TV is "On Death Row". Talk to inmate include life and death,hope for possible innocence, Good Idea cause they are enclosed in small cell,people only know their name. Also my personal question,"Why Garcia's first crime was not taken self- defense? is explained."My "-5 "is for Director's eye was not clear,He had to prepared to see someone he doesn't like.(and,He'd better to think about mind status of 28 years old man who has only 8 days to own death...human tend to laugh to ease own tension) (sorry about "into the abyss"review is mixed..but I had to point the difference)

lattar1 I watched the three episodes of this series only days after watching 'Into the Abyss'. While I found the full length feature documentary slightly boring and even more disappointing, the same can not be said about 'Death Row'.Herzog, the creator of this series, does not go on a rampage to prove somebody's innocence, nor does he advocate loudly his opinion about capital punishment. Instead he creates an opportunity to the viewer to get to know the person condemned to die. The emphasis is not about what is right and wrong, or who did what. Its about the person in death row, as well as other human aspects involved. Proper weight is given to the case's individual details, and at least my curiosity about the evidence and what occurred in the crimes was satisfied.I strongly recommend this series to people that find the theme at least mildly interesting. This series is politically some what neutral in spite of Herzog opposing capital punishment. I found some of the subjects - not all - likable, and felt strong compassion for them. This is a special mini-series and I'm very glad I watched it, even though I was disappointed by 'Into the Abyss'.

fustbariclation Capital Punishment is such a primitive and savage activity, it's a wonder any practitioner or supporter is considered house-trained.To say that I'd been 'looking forward' to Werner Hertzog's film would give the wrong impression. I can say that I'd been anticipating watching it with interest for several months and it, so far, has been excellent, if disturbing.The cruel and unusual torture involved in Death Row is made very clear in the first episode. It's, to me, evident, that, even if the man being interviewed had committed the murders, and done them in cold blood, rather than when out of his mind, the 17 years of torture he has been forced to suffer has more than covered any punishment he deserved. Jeremy Bentham observed that punishment should always be in proportion to the suffering that the crime caused, it is hugely unjust, and wicked to punish with many times over the amount of pain and suffering caused. It is criminally uncivilised that the authorities have been unable to see this and have persisted in treating this man in such an ghastly, horrific and savage manner, for such an interminably long time.Of course, Herzog is not naïve. He's chosen a very unusual inmate to make the case. Not only is the inmate articulate, sensitive, mainly rational, and intelligent (though not always sensible, as is made clear!), but he's white (most people executed in the US are black), and was convicted as an adult - and there's some doubt (supported by the Supreme Court) of his guilt. I supposed Herzog looked for a similarly white, articulate, possibly guiltless, murderess, but was unable to find one. I think that this is all quite fair - if people are such moral imbeciles as to think such torture and execution acceptable, then any means of persuasion is legitimate (even if, ultimately, unlikely to succeed). After all, it is wrong to execute anybody, not just wrong to murder, judicially, people like us... Alhough one wonders a bit about mass-murderers of the Mao, Pol Pot, Tony Blair, George Bush, Stalin variety - the question of punishment for causing such massive pain, suffering, mutilation and death is more difficult in the cases of such extreme monsters, it is still true that it would be wrong to torture and execute them - after all, stringing Mussolini from a lamppost hasn't done anything to deter murderous fascists since then..The film also makes a good case for the profound depth of the depravity of executioners. Is it possible to imagine any human activity more depraved than operating a human slaughter- house? Particularly one attached to torture chambers that mete out incessant, cruel treatment, over decades, against human beings. Even soldiers have the merit of arguing that their victims can, sometimes, fight back. At least DIY home murderers can argue that they seldom, even prolific serial killers, manage to kill 200+ people a year, and that they do it for passion, or serious money - not just 'extra pay'.