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Created Aug 09, 2008 11:47PM PST • Edited Aug 09, 2008 11:47PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   The documentary about the four Ward brothers (Delbert, William, Roscoe and Lyman) of Munnsvile, NY. Delbert was accused of murdering his brother William, and the film largely about Delbert’s trial, but it uses the story to study the Wards as representatives of America’s uneducated rural lower classes. It also highlights life in struggling agrarian small towns. I think the documentary was excellent and causes you to think about all the differing viewpoints that are brought up about what may have happened; from the NY State Police conspiracy idea, to the loving-euthenasia theory, to the simple “he died in his sleep.” In the end, it was warming to see a caring community as it stuck up for its own. It turned in to a real “us” vs “them” kind of story, and I found myself rooting for “us.” I understand from reading other reviews that this documentary is now being used in schools – I applaud this as it is definitely an educational piece that is thought proviking enough to keep even teenagers engaged.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   Perfect, only because it wasn’t acting…

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0