In january 2001, were told, no less than eight executions were scheduled in the state of oklahoma. Her case gained national attention when amnesty international and the national coalition to abolish the death penalty pleaded for clemency. The execution of wanda jean chronicles the lifeanddeath battle of wanda jean allen. With wanda jean allen, jesse jackson, david presson. Wanda jean allen was executed in january 2001, after spending nearly 12 years on death row in oklahoma for murdering her former girlfriend, gloria leathers. The execution of wanda jean trailer 2002 video detective. The execution of wanda jean 2002 movies and films database.
The film covers the documentary about the execution of wanda jean allen. Liz garbus the execution of wanda jean is another heartfelt documentary examining the human side of the death penalty amid questions about. Stubborn as a mule full length film by miller bargeron. Wanda jean mays august 19, 1959 may 12, 1986 was an american woman who disappeared on georgia mountain near guntersville, alabama in 1986. Ten years later the footage is back in the filmmakers hands. What average rating did they give to the execution of wanda jean and is it worth watching. Dec 21, 2017 the crime was caught on videotape, but was the wrong man sent to death row. Chronicles the methodical way the criminal justice system proceeds to execute wanda jean, a convicted murderess with a low iq bordering on retardation. Wanda jean allen was convicted of murder in 1989, and sat on death row in oklahoma until jan. Wanda jean allen august 17, 1959 january 11, 2001 was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of gloria jean leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. In 2001, wanda jean allen was given a lethal injection by the state of oklahoma, making her the first black woman to be executed in america in fifty years. In telling one womans story, academy award nominated filmmaker liz garbus created a film that becomes an unforgettable exploration into one of americas most controversial moral and political dilemmas. In the execution of wanda jean, director liz garbus follows a yearinthe life of her subject on death row, as wanda jean and her legal team struggle to have her sentence commuted to life.
In the execution of wanda jean, awardwinning filmmaker liz garbus the farm. Jan 11, 2002 enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the execution of wanda jean near you. In 1995 two filmmakers gained access to a live execution. In 2002, garbus film the execution of wanda jean was shown at the sundance film festival. She was the sixth woman to be executed since executions resumed in oklahoma in 1977. The current the story of george stinney jr youtube. The execution of wanda jean movie trailer and videos tv. Mar 18, 2002 the execution of wanda jean, the resulting documentary directed by garbus and produced by garbus and rory kennedy, premiered on hbo sunday night it will also run on march 18, march 20, march 22. Wanda jean allen, 41, was executed by lethal injection on january 11, 2001 in oklahoma. Find similar and related movies for the execution of wanda jean 2002 liz garbus on allmovie. Msn new zealand latest news, hotmail, outlook, photos.
The execution of wanda jean movie questions by teach peace. Liz garbus the execution of wanda jean is another heartfelt documentary examining the human side of the death penalty amid questions about its purpose. By far the most prominent case was that of wanda jean allen, whose story is documented in the execution of wanda jean, an absorbing film directed and produced by liz garbus. It is clear that a stunning combination of factors in her case merit the relief that is sought. The execution of wanda jean movie trailer starring wanda jean allen, david presson, steven presson, mary allen, ruby wilson.
Now you have a front row seat to witness a real execution. An unflinching investigation of the role that poverty, mental health, race, and sexuality play within the criminal justice system. Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the united states since 1954. The execution of wanda jean is a documentary from hbo films that tries to question the appropriateness of the execution of wanda, an explosive woman who was described as being on the borderline between mental retardation though through the course of the interviews, she did not appear to be obviously mentally retarded and a followup iq test. The fact that the 41yearold allen was to become the first black woman. The execution of wanda jean chronicles the life and death battle of wanda jean allen. The execution of wanda jean 2002 cast and crew moviefone. Wanda jean allen was an attractive young woman with what many considered to be an appealing personality. The execution of wanda jean cast and crew tv guide.
The execution of wanda jean 2002 the execution of wanda. The execution of wanda jean refrains from preaching about capital punishment, but in its close study of one morally excruciating instance, it points up the flaws in a system designed for revenge and rehabilitation, and in fact offering neither. Liz garbus documentary the execution of wanda jean records the ritual surrounding the execution, from the lastminute appeals to the gathering of protesters. Thanks for watching please like, share, comment and subscribe. Dec 31, 2017 this film is based in part on the true history of george stinney jr and on an occurrence at owl creek bridge by ambrose beirce. The film finds her eleven years later, her execution date just months away. There was almost no reaction to the prospect of her life being taken. The execution of wanda jean pictures rotten tomatoes. Allen was convicted in the shooting death of gloria j. The execution of wanda jean offers an unusual opportunity to observe the inequities in the death penalty, not. The execution of wanda jean is a documentary from hbo films that tries to question the appropriateness of the execution of wanda, an explosive woman who was described as being on the borderline between mental retardation though through the course of the interviews, she did not appear to be obviously mentally retarded and a followup iq test had a higher scorestill well below normal.
The american presidents and the history of the united states chapter 16. A scathing indictment of the death penalty, the execution of wanda jean raises complex moral issues, arguing for a more just and humane approach to. The execution of wanda jean tavis smiley speaks with filmmaker liz garbus about her documentary, the execution of wanda jean. The execution of wanda jean 2002 release info imdb. Wanda jean allen was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of gloria jean leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. Wanda jean allen august 17, 1959 january 11, 2001 was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of gloria jean leathers, 29, her. The central question in liz garbus film, then, is the mechanism by which the judicial system. Diagnosed with borderline mental retardation and brain damage, wanda jean allen is condemned to death after shooting her lover in an irrational moment. The film highlights flaws within the american legal system through examination of key errors in wanda jean allens trial and appeals. But wanda jean allen should not have been executed by the state of oklahoma under any circumstances. This film chronicles her attempts to get off death row in december 2000. She is scheduled to be executed on january 11, 2001.
This film chronicles her attempts to get off death row in december 2000 a month before her scheduled execution. The execution of wanda jean movie trailer and videos tv guide. Find video, photos, forums, blogs and shop for some of the best movies ever made only at tcm. The execution of wanda jean pictures and movie photo gallery check out just released the execution of wanda jean pics, images, clips, trailers, production photos and more from rotten tomatoes. The execution of wanda jean 2002 liz garbus related. In january 2001, wanda jean allen was the first african american. To optimize your experience with your screen reading software, please use our website, which has the same tickets as our fandango. Her defense attorneys presented convincing evidence that wanda suffered. Watch the latest the execution of wanda jean trailer on video detective. By the age of 29, wanda jean had killed twice and would become one of the most controversial deathrow inmates in recent history. Wanda jean allen was executed in oklahoma on january for the murder of gloria jean leathers, allen was the first black woman to be executed in the united states since since the supreme court lifted the ban on capital punishment in 15 women have been executed. What sets this film apart from the average examination of a death row appeal is that the convicted killer is a lesbian africanamerican. The execution of wanda jean 2002 by steven rodriguez.
Ap victims family members said the execution of convicted killer wanda jean allen brought them closure as they decried protesters who fought the nations first execution of a black woman since 1954. The execution of wanda jean full frame documentary film. Wanda jean allen clemency letter american civil liberties union. The execution of wanda jean is an unflinching investigation of the role that poverty, mental health, race, and sexuality play within the criminal justice system. The problem i have with this documentary lies in the fact that it is a complete. This wrenching documentary from academy award nominated filmmaker liz garbus chronicles the final three months in the life of wanda jean allen, the. Wanda jean allen shot her girlfriend, gloria leathers, in front of an oklahoma city police station in 1988. Her final appeals and the last three months of her life were chronicled by filmmaker liz garbus in the documentary the execution of wanda jean. Subject wanda jean allens guilt is never in question. The execution of wanda jean by liz garbus liz garbus, wanda. What sets this film apart from the average examination of a death row.
The film further weaves in the experiences of allens mother and siblings and also leatherss family and their reactions as the 2001 execution draws near. Students answer questions as they view the 2002 hbo movie, the execution of wanda jean. The execution of wanda jean by liz garbus liz garbus. They killed my friend, wanda jean allen, with whom i had spent hours. Watch the execution of wanda jean movie trailers, exclusive videos, interviews from the cast, movie clips and more at. Girlhood continues her investigations into the american criminal justice system with the compelling story of convicted murderess wanda jean allen. Generally, wanda jean allen was a victim of capital punishment in oklahoma. Wanda jean allen, convicted of murder, lethal injection, oklahoma. By telling one womans story, the film becomes an unforgettable exploration into one of americas most. Memorable quotes and exchanges from movies, tv series and more. Read hbo the execution of wanda jean essay sample for. The execution of wanda jean chronicles the lifeanddeath battle of wanda jean allen, the first black woman to be put to death in the united states in the modern era. Aug 16, 2017 wanda jean allen august 17, 1959 january 11, 2001 was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of gloria jean leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. Wanda jean was sentenced to death in 1989 after she shot and killed her lover, gloria leathers, outside an oklahoma city police station.
From the moment wanda jean first appeared to the moment of her death, her genuine naivete could not have been more obvious. Wanda jean allen shot her girlfriend, gloria leathers, in front of an. How did the critics repsond to the execution of wanda jean. What sets this film apart from the average examination of a death row appeal is that the. Mar 18, 2002 through interviews with wanda jean, her clemency team, and members of her family and of her victims family, this film presents a stirring look at an appealing, attractive young woman with a complex history, as well as examining the moral and political dilemma of the death penalty. Mar 17, 2002 wanda jean allen shot her girlfriend, gloria leathers, in front of an oklahoma city police station in 1988. The execution of wanda jean was shown earlier this year as part of. She was reported missing by her aunt and uncle in the early morning hours of may 12, when they found the guest room in which she was staying empty, its window apparently broken from inside. Turner classic movies presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from one of the largest film libraries in the world. If the state of oklahoma goes through with the sentence. The execution of wanda jean 2002 liz garbus synopsis. The execution of wanda jean is a documentary from hbo films that tries to question the appropriateness of the execution of wanda, an explosive woman who was described as being on the borderline between mental retardation though through the course of the interviews, she did not appear to be obviously mentally retarded and a followup iq test had a higher scorestill.
By telling one womans story, the film becomes an unforgettable exploration into one of americas most c. Full documentary films 2017 death row the execution of. She was also an africanamerican lesbian whose low iq indicated borderline retardation. The execution of wanda jean 2002 plot summary imdb. Though much of the film initially centers on interviews with wanda jean s family and the family of her victim, ms. On behalf of the american civil liberties union, we urge you to grant clemency to wanda jean allen. Angola, usa directed this documentary that takes a close look at death row inmate wanda jean allen. The execution of wanda jean is a powerful and emotionally draining film, although perhaps not primarily for the reasons director liz garbus intended.
Its a passionate and wellmade documentary, using one womans sad story to illuminate a public. The execution of wanda jean details and credits metacritic. The film opens today at the quad cinema, 34 west th street, greenwich village. Angola, usa, to the specific case history of a condemned woman in her new and less memorable work. The execution of wanda jean documaker liz garbus shifts from american incarceration in the farm. The execution of wanda jean chronicles the lifeanddeath battle of wanda jean allen, the first black woman to be put to death in the united states in the. Wanda jean allen becomes first black woman executed in united states since 1954, by rochelle hines. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. A staggeringly personal account of one womans battle to save her life, the film is also a searching examination of the morality of the death penalty, particularly when race, mental. Throughout the entire film i never got the sense that wanda was able to grasp what had happened, and what was happening.
725 661 1166 277 700 667 1249 1210 241 99 1006 58 686 1452 403 1450 5 868 1588 1263 1588 1292 28 1295 418 1522 182 810 1480 1286 1467 349 903 1442 330 51