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Killer: A Journal of Murder

Play trailer Poster for Killer: A Journal of Murder R 1996 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 47% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
After Carl Panzram (James Woods) is sent to Leavenworth Prison for burglary, a young guard named Henry Lesser (Robert Sean Leonard) reaches out to him. As this unlikely friendship develops, Panzram begins to write down his life story -- and in doing so, admits to murdering a string of people. In jail, Panzram also shows his dangerous, violent streak by beating a guard to death. When Panzram is sentenced to death, Lesser still tries to help him, even though he knows the man is truly a killer.
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Killer: A Journal of Murder

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
2/4
Metcalfe's casting of James Woods as the killer is a good choice, and Woods gives a powerful, searing performance. He does not compromise Panzram, or soften him. But the movie does, by withholding information. Go to Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily 10/10/2005
3/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 06/19/2005
2/5
Steve Rhodes Internet Reviews 01/01/2000
2/4
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Audience Reviews

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steve d 07/07/2020 James Woods is great the script has been done before. See more 04/13/2013 Ultimately this was a sad excuse of recounting serial killer Panzram days in prison. It focused more on the relationship with the prison gaurd he befriended which made for a dull story. See more 03/04/2012 Showing an unlikely bond between a convict and a prison guard, both Woods and Leonard play their characters very convincingly in this hard-hitting thriller. See more 04/12/2011 Killer - A Journal of Murder turns out to be more like Killer - A Journal of Love. 87 minutes of two guys ''bonding.'' I went from expecting James Woods to slice and dice, to thinking - just kiss already. See more 04/04/2011 More for fans/admirers/researchers of Charles «Carl» Panzram, however, it does contain a good amount of quotable material. Some critics apparently were expecting some sort of Horror film; it carries on more like a slow-paced, dramatic indictment of the mechanically indifferent U.S. prison system. See more 07/24/2010 A prison drama of a cold-blooded murder, based on a true story. Worth watching alone for James Woods excellent performance. See more Read all reviews
Killer: A Journal of Murder

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Cast & Crew

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Tim Metcalfe

Director

James Woods

Carl Panzram

Robert Sean Leonard

Henry Lesser

Ellen Greene

Elizabeth Wyatt

Cara Buono

Esther Lesser

Robert John Burke

R.G. Greiser
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Killer: A Journal of Murder

Killer: A Journal of Murder (1996) Killer: A Journal of Murder (1996) Killer: A Journal of Murder (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After Carl Panzram (James Woods) is sent to Leavenworth Prison for burglary, a young guard named Henry Lesser (Robert Sean Leonard) reaches out to him. As this unlikely friendship develops, Panzram begins to write down his life story -- and in doing so, admits to murdering a string of people. In jail, Panzram also shows his dangerous, violent streak by beating a guard to death. When Panzram is sentenced to death, Lesser still tries to help him, even though he knows the man is truly a killer.
Director
Tim Metcalfe
Producer
Janet Yang, Mark Levinson
Screenwriter
Tim Metcalfe
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$65.7K
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Surround
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