Into the Abyss

Starring;

Werner Herzog

Michael Perry

Jason Burkett

Director;

Werner Herzog

In three words; Harrowing - Tragic - Haunting

Plot;

Werner Herzog is back in documentary territory with a look at capital punishment in America. After the murder of three people in Texas Michael Perry and Jason Burkett are convicted of the killings. Herzog profiles the affect the deaths had on the victim’s family and also on Perry and Burkett. This is an examination on humanity and why people kill. Whether that is in cold blood or court ordered.

Review;

Michael Perry and Jason Burkett were involved in a triple murder which occurred in Conroe, Texas in October 2001. What started out as an attempt to steal a car turned into three people being murdered and Perry and Burkett ending up in prison, receiving the death penalty and life without parole respectively.

Herzog investigates the fallout caused by these murders, not just for the victims’ families but also for the perpetrators. Whilst the director is quick to point out that he disagrees with capital punishment he does not deliver the film in a judgemental way towards the current law which is in place in Texas. Instead he takes us through a journey of mortality and makes the audience think about their own opinions on taking life away from someone even when they have committed a terrible crime.

The interviews with Perry and Burkett are incredibly interesting and insightful as they speak candidly about the night which changed their lives whilst continually blaming each other for the crimes committed. What is particularly haunting is that Perry is speaking with only eight days to go before he is due on the gurney where is life will end. Their interviews are magnified by the reinforced glass which they speak to Herzog through.

However, the most important interviews in this documentary are with the victim’s families, the prison chaplain and also a former prison officer who can no longer face another execution. Also Burkett’s father, who is also in prison recalls his testimony in court which he believes helped his son avoid the death penalty. Having never been there for his children he blames himself for where his son now finds himself. However, Herzog shrewdly interviews others associated with Perry and Burkett and one of the victim’s brothers who all had a difficult time growing up yet they have managed not to kill anyone!

My only criticism is that Herzog delivers marathon questions to his interviewees whereby they end up only answering one or two of the questions he has asked. He also kept putting words into the mouths of his subjects which tainted their responses. Despite this the documentary is well filmed and is certainly the best I have seen since Bowling for Columbine.

Verdict;

3 out of 5.