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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 Released Jan 18, 1996 2h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 27 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

View All (27) Critics Reviews
Globe and Mail Rated: 3/4 Apr 12, 2002 Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Rated: 4/5 Feb 14, 2001 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The film creates a vivid portrait of a subculture in which Satan is a central figure. Rated: 4/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Michael Atkinson Spin Both a chronicle of death and retribution and, as the title suggests, a portrait of the American dream gone gamy. Dec 27, 2022 Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine 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. Oct 30, 2019 Full Review David Keyes Cinemaphile.org What a sad commentary on humanity and the flawed justice system it relies on. Sep 17, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (393) audience reviews
Demetrios M 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/06/24 Full Review Post-Apocalyptic T 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/18/23 Full Review Jerod S 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Joel C A powerful and disturbing documentary that follows the three accused youths through the court process like no other doco I've seen. The questions and weight of the mystery involved with what actually happened is kinda mind blowing and keeps you guessing who's innocent and who's guilty. Filmed in the 90's it really captures the era before the wave of technological devices flooded our world. Personally, I'd hate to think the teens are guilty, or someone is still out there free to continue these horrendous acts, but who really knows the truth. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/04/21 Full Review georgan g Way too long and no different from other documentaries about this miscarriage of justice. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A more appropriate title would be Any Reasonable Doubt Lost... There is a follow up to this story. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

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Cast & Crew

Revelations: Paradise Lost 2 92% 84% Revelations: Paradise Lost 2 Watchlist 4 Little Girls 100% 89% 4 Little Girls Watchlist Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer 100% 67% Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer Watchlist Fast, Cheap & Out of Control 91% 84% Fast, Cheap & Out of Control Watchlist The Brandon Teena Story 69% 68% The Brandon Teena Story Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

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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