The Errol Morris DVD Collection (Gates of Heaven/The Thin Blue Line/Vernon, Florida)The Thin Blue Line On November 28, 1976, when drifter Randall Dale Adams was picked up by teenage runaway David Harris, his fate was sealed. That night, a police officer was shot in cold blood. And though all the facts pointed to Harris, a sociopath with a lengthy rap sheet, Adams was convicted of capital murder. Was Adams guilty? And if not, does Morris unlock the secrets of this baffling case?
Vernon, Florida (1981) is very much of a piece with Gates, as Morris travels to a small town in Florida’s panhandle and allows the oddball denizens to babble on about anything. It has always been an open question whether Morris’s blank stare encourages laughter at the expense of his subjects or simply wide-eyed wonder that folks like this carry on in the world, but Vernon viewers will likely be both amused and astonished. The Thin Blue Line is like In Cold Blood in the sense that it examines a real-life murder case, but it goes much further than reportage: Morris’s investigations actually helped alter the judgments in the Texas case, especially affecting the conviction of a hitchhiker named Randall Adams. And the movie is a work of art: a hypnotic bad dream with surreal images and a lulling rhythmic movement (enhanced by Philip Glass’s music). It’s the kind of movie that might have taken place in Adams’s mind as he sat on Death Row, replaying the events that made his life go wrong. –Robert Horton Errol Morris and the Art of the Documentary
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(out of 5 reviews)
Review by A Fan for The Errol Morris DVD Collection (Gates of Heaven/The Thin Blue Line/Vernon, Florida)
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I have waited for these films to finally be released on DVD, and was rewarded with three at once. There’s not a lot to say about “Gates of Heaven” or “Vernon, Florida” other than they showcase Morris’ curiosity and fascination with finding wonder in the mundane. Morris just plants his camera and listens as people go off on tangents that are seemingly unrelated to the subject of the documentary but are mini-films unto themselves (e.g. the elderly woman in “Gates of Heaven” who briefly touches on the pet cemetary being rlocated and then goes into this long monologue about her grandson, his failed relationships and her heartbreak at his never coming to visit).
“Thin Blue Line” is to documentary what “In Cold Blood” was to non-fiction writing. Morris uses re-enactments along with his interviews to tell the story of a murdered policeman and the man arrested for the crime. Morris’ investigative work led to the convicted man’s release and the conviction of the real killer.
This is some of the best documentary work ever filmed.
Review by S. Baker for The Errol Morris DVD Collection (Gates of Heaven/The Thin Blue Line/Vernon, Florida)
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Great documentaries change your views.
In law school, I watched ‘The Thin Blue Line’ in one of my first classes on capital punishment jurisprudence. It changed my views, as it demonstrates how our justice system can “do it’s job” and still get it completely and tragically wrong. Although I am not a fan of Philip Glass, I do have to admit that even the soundtrack urges the viewers contemplation of the material.
I am very much looking forward to the previously unavailable ‘Gates of Heaven’ (because I am a pet person) and ‘Vernon, Florida’ (because I escaped from a small Florida town after high school).
Review by W. Gryc for The Errol Morris DVD Collection (Gates of Heaven/The Thin Blue Line/Vernon, Florida)
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Errol Morris has a real knack for getting people to just talk, and talk, and talk for long periods of time. And the things that come out of people’s mouths is remarkable. Gates of Heaven is one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s funny but also thought provoking in its humor. The Thin Blue Line is quite convincing, and is so convincing that the film helped exonerate a man convicted for murder in Texas. Vernon, FL is interesting, but doesn’t quite measure up to the previous two films in my opinion. In any event, this collection is well worth a look.
Review by Lavonia M. Ousley-hyatt for The Errol Morris DVD Collection (Gates of Heaven/The Thin Blue Line/Vernon, Florida)
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The person I purchased the tapes for absolutely lived them. The seller was great! I needed the tapes sooner than I could get them with the mailing option so they changed it.
Review by Eric V. Hovda for The Errol Morris DVD Collection (Gates of Heaven/The Thin Blue Line/Vernon, Florida)
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I bought this one having previously viewed “A Thin Blue Line”. needless to say I had high hopes. I’m glad I bought it. Awe!! It’s cheaper now! BUYBUYBUY
Errol is my favorite documentary filmmaker. Fog of War, Mr. Death, Blue Line, Cheap Fast, Brief History of Time. This guy is the best. period. Blue Line is probably his greatest achievement, so I was also curious to see the other two. I had mixed opinions though.
I started with “Gates of Heaven”; I believe his earliest in the set. I string of endlessly quirky, interesting characters (typical Morris) tells you about their journeys surrounding the pet funeral business. This one put my roommate to sleep and I was a bit turned off by it. I’ll probably never view it again unless I get really hooked on docs, but it was rather amazing to see a directors craft begin to get honed.
“Vernon, Florida” was definitely a neat one. It was about the crazy people and crazy critters in the little bumf*ck town of Vernon. Really neat old guys telling odd stories and reminiscing take up the bulk of the film. Sound boring? I assure you it isn’t.
“A Thin Blue Line” – One of the most important films ever made. This one actually saved an innocent man from DEATH ROW. ‘Nuff said. And well worth the money for the box set alone. I can’t believe they throw in the other two for that price, d*mn nice indeed. Can I say d*mn on here? Who cares. At least watch this one before you die.
All in all, Errol’s done a lot of other great films not in this small set. There probably is little to no market for box sets of docs, though, so don’t expect a bigger one some day. So… support Morris and buy his wonderful wonderfulness!
I apologize for being corny at the end there. That was uncalled for.