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. The execution of wanda jean full frame documentary film. 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. The execution of wanda jean 2002 movies and films database. 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 offers an unusual opportunity to observe the inequities in the death penalty, not. Watch the latest the execution of wanda jean trailer on video detective.
The execution of wanda jean 2002 by steven rodriguez. 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. The execution of wanda jean is a powerful and emotionally draining film, although perhaps not primarily for the reasons director liz garbus intended. Dec 21, 2017 the crime was caught on videotape, but was the wrong man sent to death row. Wanda jean allen was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of gloria jean leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. But wanda jean allen should not have been executed by the state of oklahoma under any circumstances. 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 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. 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. The execution of wanda jean cast and crew tv guide.
The execution of wanda jean 2002 liz garbus synopsis. Wanda jean allen clemency letter american civil liberties union. 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. The execution of wanda jean movie trailer and videos tv. 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. The current the story of george stinney jr youtube. Allen was convicted in the shooting death of gloria j. Liz garbus the execution of wanda jean is another heartfelt documentary examining the human side of the death penalty amid questions about. This film chronicles her attempts to get off death row in december 2000 a month before her scheduled execution. Wanda jean allen was convicted of murder in 1989, and sat on death row in oklahoma until jan. 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. 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 movie questions by teach peace.
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. The execution of wanda jean by liz garbus liz garbus. How did the critics repsond to the execution of wanda jean. The execution of wanda jean 2002 cast and crew moviefone. 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. The execution of wanda jean chronicles the life and death battle of wanda jean allen. This film chronicles her attempts to get off death row in december 2000. Liz garbus the execution of wanda jean is another heartfelt documentary examining the human side of the death penalty amid questions about its purpose. 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. Wanda jean allen, 41, was executed by lethal injection on january 11, 2001 in oklahoma.
Wanda jean allen becomes first black woman executed in united states since 1954, by rochelle hines. 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. Full documentary films 2017 death row the execution of. There was almost no reaction to the prospect of her life being taken. Find similar and related movies for the execution of wanda jean 2002 liz garbus on allmovie. By the age of 29, wanda jean had killed twice and would become one of the most controversial deathrow inmates in recent history. 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 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. Turner classic movies presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from one of the largest film libraries in the world. She was also an africanamerican lesbian whose low iq indicated borderline retardation. The central question in liz garbus film, then, is the mechanism by which the judicial system. The execution of wanda jean 2002 liz garbus related. Wanda jean allen august 17, 1959 january 11, 2001 was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of gloria jean leathers, 29, her. Msn new zealand latest news, hotmail, outlook, photos. Stubborn as a mule full length film by miller bargeron. 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. What sets this film apart from the average examination of a death row appeal is that the convicted killer is a lesbian africanamerican. Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the united states since 1954.
Read hbo the execution of wanda jean essay sample for. Angola, usa, to the specific case history of a condemned woman in her new and less memorable work. 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. Generally, wanda jean allen was a victim of capital punishment in oklahoma.
By telling one womans story, the film becomes an unforgettable exploration into one of americas most. On behalf of the american civil liberties union, we urge you to grant clemency to wanda jean allen. They killed my friend, wanda jean allen, with whom i had spent hours. Its a passionate and wellmade documentary, using one womans sad story to illuminate a public. What average rating did they give to the execution of wanda jean and is it worth watching. Wanda jean was sentenced to death in 1989 after she shot and killed her lover, gloria leathers, outside an oklahoma city police station. Subject wanda jean allens guilt is never in question. Wanda jean allen was an attractive young woman with what many considered to be an appealing personality. Now you have a front row seat to witness a real execution.
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. Ten years later the footage is back in the filmmakers hands. The american presidents and the history of the united states chapter 16. To optimize your experience with your screen reading software, please use our website, which has the same tickets as our fandango. The execution of wanda jean trailer 2002 video detective. In january 2001, wanda jean allen was the first african american. 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. In 1995 two filmmakers gained access to a live execution. Though much of the film initially centers on interviews with wanda jean s family and the family of her victim, ms. 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. Liz garbus documentary the execution of wanda jean records the ritual surrounding the execution, from the lastminute appeals to the gathering of protesters. The execution of wanda jean pictures rotten tomatoes. In january 2001, were told, no less than eight executions were scheduled in the state of oklahoma.
The film highlights flaws within the american legal system through examination of key errors in wanda jean allens trial and appeals. By telling one womans story, the film becomes an unforgettable exploration into one of. The execution of wanda jean 2002 the execution of wanda. Wanda jean allen shot her girlfriend, gloria leathers, in front of an oklahoma city police station in 1988. Watch the execution of wanda jean movie trailers, exclusive videos, interviews from the cast, movie clips and more at. The execution of wanda jean by liz garbus liz garbus, wanda.
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. 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 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. From the moment wanda jean first appeared to the moment of her death, her genuine naivete could not have been more obvious. The problem i have with this documentary lies in the fact that it is a complete. Memorable quotes and exchanges from movies, tv series and more. Angola, usa directed this documentary that takes a close look at death row inmate wanda jean allen.
She is scheduled to be executed on january 11, 2001. The execution of wanda jean was shown earlier this year as part of. In the execution of wanda jean, awardwinning filmmaker liz garbus the farm. By telling one womans story, the film becomes an unforgettable exploration into one of americas most c. The film finds her eleven years later, her execution date just months away. This wrenching documentary from academy award nominated filmmaker liz garbus chronicles the final three months in the life of wanda jean allen, the. Her case gained national attention when amnesty international and the national coalition to abolish the death penalty pleaded for clemency. Diagnosed with borderline mental retardation and brain damage, wanda jean allen is condemned to death after shooting her lover in an irrational moment. Thanks for watching please like, share, comment and subscribe. Chronicles the methodical way the criminal justice system proceeds to execute wanda jean, a convicted murderess with a low iq bordering on retardation.
What sets this film apart from the average examination of a death row. The fact that the 41yearold allen was to become the first black woman. Wanda jean allen shot her girlfriend, gloria leathers, in front of an. Throughout the entire film i never got the sense that wanda was able to grasp what had happened, and what was happening. What sets this film apart from the average examination of a death row appeal is that the. Girlhood continues her investigations into the american criminal justice system with the compelling story of convicted murderess wanda jean allen. Jan 11, 2002 enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the execution of wanda jean near you.
The execution of wanda jean documaker liz garbus shifts from american incarceration in the farm. The film opens today at the quad cinema, 34 west th street, greenwich village. With wanda jean allen, jesse jackson, david presson. 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 execution of wanda jean movie trailer and videos tv guide. The execution of wanda jean 2002 plot summary imdb. The execution of wanda jean details and credits metacritic. 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. The film covers the documentary about the execution of wanda jean allen. Her defense attorneys presented convincing evidence that wanda suffered.
In 2002, garbus film the execution of wanda jean was shown at the sundance film festival. Wanda jean mays august 19, 1959 may 12, 1986 was an american woman who disappeared on georgia mountain near guntersville, alabama in 1986. It is clear that a stunning combination of factors in her case merit the relief that is sought. Students answer questions as they view the 2002 hbo movie, the execution of wanda jean. 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 movie trailer starring wanda jean allen, david presson, steven presson, mary allen, ruby wilson. If the state of oklahoma goes through with the sentence.
714 299 830 1548 336 1618 343 1332 1151 397 491 1516 30 793 487 182 1437 770 849 16 1243 447 530 1090 244 1530 1618 434 646 1646 101 852 1201 1352 16 636 1380 1226 641 794