Trial by Fire – Movie Review
Director: Edward Zwick (Glory)
Writer: Geoffrey Fletcher (Screenplay)
Writer: David Grann (Article)
Cast
- Jack O’Connell (Tulip Fever)
- Laura Dern (Jurassic Park)
- Emily Meade (Nerve)
- Chris Coy (The Front Runner)
- Jeff Perry (Scandal)
Plot: The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was sentenced to death in Texas for killing his three children even after scientific evidence and expert testimony bolstered his claims of innocence.
Runtime: 2 Hours 7 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Trial by Fire starts when Todd (O’Connell) sees his children killed in a house fire. The investigation shows evidence of arson and Todd is the only one around and has a reputation for violence, he becomes the prime suspect. His trial is quick, and he is sentenced to the death penalty.
Todd maintains his innocence and decides to use his time to find a new lawyer. He eventually gets in contact with Elizabeth (Dern) as one last attempt to get a new trial and prove his innocence.
Verdict on Trial by Fire
Trial by Fire is a drama thriller following a man facing the death penalty for murdering his children. While the case looks like he was behind it, the lack of a fair trial leads to a last-minute attempt to clear his name. However, everyone involved in the case believes he was guilty and the race against time is taking its toll.
This is a thriller based on the real story of a man battling to prove his innocence. It shows how easily a courtroom can be swayed into believing a story and not everyone involved in the case does the right thing. The performances are strong throughout the movie, as we see just how far the case spun out of control and the years of battle for the truth. Even if the story is more about how the death penalty is seen without support.
Where to Watch
JustWatchFinal Thoughts – Trial by Fire is a thriller showing a harsh reality.