Errol Morris' "Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr." is a documentary about a professional executioner who is so certain about the scientific way he approaches his grim task that he doesn't realize when he is over his head.
If you didn't know ahead of time anything about Leuchter you would think that Morris has chosen to film the story of a man who, because he was seen as being an expert in designing electric chairs, was soon hailed as an expert in all forms of execution. His work in studying gas chambers leads to his downfall-the conclusion that Auschwitz could not have been used to gas Jews to death.
The problem isn't so much Leuchter's ridiculous findings-it was that he was certain he was right, even in the face of overwhelming evidence otherwise. As a result, Leuchter loses everything except the undying gratitude of neo-Nazis.
Some reviewers criticize Morris for ridiculing Leuchter. I don't think he does. While I can't imagine Morris having any love for his subject, I think he is more concerned about answering the question, "How could such a rational person go off the deep end?" To that end, he lets the viewer make the call. The result is a fascinating, powerful and disturbing movie.
If you didn't know ahead of time anything about Leuchter you would think that Morris has chosen to film the story of a man who, because he was seen as being an expert in designing electric chairs, was soon hailed as an expert in all forms of execution. His work in studying gas chambers leads to his downfall-the conclusion that Auschwitz could not have been used to gas Jews to death.
The problem isn't so much Leuchter's ridiculous findings-it was that he was certain he was right, even in the face of overwhelming evidence otherwise. As a result, Leuchter loses everything except the undying gratitude of neo-Nazis.
Some reviewers criticize Morris for ridiculing Leuchter. I don't think he does. While I can't imagine Morris having any love for his subject, I think he is more concerned about answering the question, "How could such a rational person go off the deep end?" To that end, he lets the viewer make the call. The result is a fascinating, powerful and disturbing movie.