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Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

Play trailer Poster for Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills TV-MA 1996 2h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Three teenagers are accused of this horrific crime of killing three children, supposedly as a result of involvement in Satanism. As in their previous documentary, things turn out to be more complex than initial appearances and this film presents the real-life courtroom drama to the viewer, as it unfolds.

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Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
4/4
The film creates a vivid portrait of a subculture in which Satan is a central figure. Go to Full Review
Michael Atkinson Spin 12/27/2022
Both a chronicle of death and retribution and, as the title suggests, a portrait of the American dream gone gamy. Go to Full Review
Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine 10/30/2019
As a dispassionate portrait of an America where the Devil is still a credible force, and everyone seems corrupt, the film does not just expose horror. It delivers viewers into a garden of evil, and forces them to choose their own demons. Go to Full Review
David Keyes Cinemaphile.org 09/17/2013
What a sad commentary on humanity and the flawed justice system it relies on. Go to Full Review
Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews 08/30/2011
In light of the recent freedom of the 3 victims of a 20th century witch trial depicted in the film, this powerful documentary becomes essential viewing. Go to Full Review
Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena 02/04/2008
5/5
Um documento histrico chocante que, ao lado do clssico The Thin Blue Line, expe as falhas grotescas do sistema judicial norte-americano. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Maksim S @MaksimusMovies Nov 10 Paradise Lost is a meticulous, relentless investigation into the murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, and the controversial conviction of the “West Memphis Three.” Through courtroom footage, interviews, and intimate portraits of the accused, the documentary exposes systemic failures, social hysteria, and the corrosive influence of bias and fear. Sharp and unflinching, it’s both a true-crime masterpiece and a piercing critique of justice, morality, and the perils of public judgment. See more Demetrios M @DMichiganWol21 12/06/2024 I never knew this story or atleast, I don't remember this as a kid growing up and this is part 1 of a series, I guess. Wow. Absolutely fascinating, disturbing and sad. The judicial system obviously is under the microscope and asks some really good questions. It is absolutely raw and as honest as it can be, and I really appreciate it. Can't wait to see what's next with Revelations which came out in 2001. See more Post-Apocalyptic T 07/15/2023 FYI—this is actually Part 1 of a 3-part series that takes place over the course of nearly 20 years. My review is based on the entire series: For most of the series, you're angry and disgusted by how unjustly these teenagers are being treated. And when you're not angry, you're horrified by the behavior of the victims' parents who are all completely unhinged. Not unhinged because of their grief over losing a child, but unhinged because they were all so incredibly unstable to begin with. Then there are times when the series is hilarious because of the antics of one of the victims' step-fathers. But then you remember that you're not watching a Saturday Night Live sketch. This man is not trying to be funny. He is just so profoundly mentally ill and improperly medicated that he thinks what he's doing/saying is on the level. The whole case is heartbreaking for all 6 of the victims—the 3 children who were brutally murdered and the 3 teens who were wrongfully convicted. If it wasn't for HBO, Metallica, and The (Dixie) Chicks, 2 of those men would still be in prison today and Damien would've been executed by the state. See more Jerod S @jeroduptown 02/05/2023 Before crime documentaries were the thing they are today, there was "Paradise Lost". 3 young boys murdered in a backwoods area leads to the arrest and conviction of 3 teen boys. Evidence is shaky...but these poor families are mentally not all there. See more georgan g 06/19/2021 Way too long and no different from other documentaries about this miscarriage of justice. See more 12/24/2020 A more appropriate title would be Any Reasonable Doubt Lost... There is a follow up to this story. See more Read all reviews
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

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Movie Info

Synopsis Three teenagers are accused of this horrific crime of killing three children, supposedly as a result of involvement in Satanism. As in their previous documentary, things turn out to be more complex than initial appearances and this film presents the real-life courtroom drama to the viewer, as it unfolds.
Director
Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky
Producer
Bruce Sinofsky, Joe Berlinger
Production Co
Home Box Office (HBO)
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 18, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2013
Runtime
2h 30m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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