Atlanta Film Festival 2008 : At the Death House Door

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At the Death House Door

Peter Gilbert, Steven James

Categories: Documentary Feature

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Rated 3.588814651814184/5 Stars

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Run time: 94 min. | USA

At the Death House Door follows the remarkable career journey of Carroll Pickett, who served 15 years as the death house chaplain to the infamous "Walls" prison unit in Huntsville, Texas. During that time he presided over 95 executions, including the very first lethal injection done anywhere in the world. After each execution, Pickett recorded an audiotape account of that fateful day. The film also tells the story of Carlos De Luna, a convict whose execution affected Pickett more than any other. Pickett firmly believed the man was innocent and two Chicago Tribune reporters turn up evidence that strongly suggests he was right. As in most of their work, James and Gilbert tell an engrossing personal story that sheds light on larger social and political issues.

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Screenings

time	venue	calendar	tickets
5:15 PM Sat, Apr 12	Landmark Midtown #4	+ add to cal	buy tickets
4:30 PM Tue, Apr 15	Landmark Midtown #4	+ add to cal	buy tickets

About the film

Cast & Crew

director

Peter Gilbert

Steven James

Audience Buzz

Rated 3.588814651814184/5 Stars

3.6 | 6

714 people viewed this page

21 people added it to their calendar (find out who)

Featured Review

The featured review is chosen at random and contributed by an audience member. Click the reviews tab above to read all the reviews for this film, or register to write your own review.

Rated 3.0/5 Stars 1 2 3 4 5 jaycbird 10:44 AM		This documentary and discussion of the role of the death penalty takes place through the experience of Carroll Pickett, the chaplain of the death house at Walls Prison in Huntsville, Texas. During his fifteen year tenure, he would make personal cassette recordings after the executions to help decompress the intense experience of being the last personal contact the prisoners had. In reflecting upon his career there, he focuses on a convict he believes was innocent, yet executed anyway. It is from this point that the film bases its thesis as the case is reviewed and explored, as well as Pickett's belief system in what he did and why. Without becoming emotionally involved, directors Gilbert and James (who were honoree's at this year's IMAGE Gala which officially launches the festival), best known for HOOP DREAMS, explore the moral question behind corporal punishment. It is excellently made without being emotionally manipulative. http://jaycbird.blogspot.com