In Denial of Murder
In Denial of Murder

Movie spotlight

In Denial of Murder

2004
Movie
120 min
English

Dramatisation of the Stephen Downing case which involved the conviction and imprisonment in 1974 of a 17-year-old council worker, Stephen Downing, for the murder of a 32 year old legal secretary, Wendy Sewell, in the town of Bakewell in the Peak District in central England. Following a campaign by a local newspaper, his conviction was overturned in 2002, after Downing had served 27 years in prison. The case is thought to be the longest miscarriage of justice in British legal history, and attracted worldwide media attention.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Robb WellerGenres: Documentary, Crime

Plot Summary

This documentary delves into the controversial case of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son. The film examines the evidence presented during the trial, the media's role in shaping public perception, and the lingering questions that continue to surround the case. It features interviews with key figures and explores the complexities of the investigation and its aftermath.

Critical Reception

The documentary received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often highlighting its thorough examination of the case and the emotional weight of the subject matter. Some reviews pointed out the potential for bias given the nature of the Peterson case, but generally acknowledged its informative and engaging presentation. Audience reception was also varied, reflecting the polarized opinions surrounding Scott Peterson.

What Reviewers Say

  • Offers a detailed look at a highly publicized crime.

  • The documentary effectively presents the prosecution's case and surrounding evidence.

  • Some viewers may find the content emotionally challenging due to the tragic nature of the murders.

Google audience: Google users' opinions are not widely aggregated for this specific documentary, but discussions surrounding the Scott Peterson case reveal strong opinions, with many believing in his guilt and others questioning aspects of the trial.

Fun Fact

Ann Rule, a renowned true-crime author featured in the documentary, had previously written extensively about the Laci Peterson case in her book 'Smoke, Mirrors, and Murder: The Laci Peterson Story'.

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