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This documentary taught me that in the USA, or at least Arkansas, you can get a death sentence even in the absence of any evidence. It's mind-boggling.

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The documentary itself is presented in an admirably neutral manner and it remains interesting and gripping throughout, not least because of the gruesome subject. It exposes the faults in the justice system, the effects of media pressure and the dangers of being different from the norm in a highly religious, old-fashioned society. Still, I had to laugh at some of the hillbillies in this one.

The filmmakers obviously lean towards the accused in the documentary, and from all accounts its understandable. Extremely well made and paced, you will be infuriated by the end.

In brief: a landmark, powerhouse documentary. Observing in the proper form demanded by their particular brand of filmmaking, Sinofsky and Berlinger maturely allow tragedy to unravel and impact over the course of its subject events, subtly fashioning an indictment of both America's religious right and its justice system, whose contrivances and contradictions might lend themselves to confusion as much as due process. Think what you may of the story itself, Paradise Lost exudes laudability.

Whether or not the West Memphis Three are guilty, this is one hell of a documentary. Remains interesting until the very last minute and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Gripping.

Be sure to watch the second part. Mark Byers is one big freak

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Paradise Lost starts as an exploration into what happened at Robin Hood Hills and turns into an examination of the justice system gone awry. Despite its egregious length and shoddy editing, Paradise Lost achieves its result and does so with stomach-churning angst as all three boys end up convincted with less than no evidence.

Excellent true crime documentary that goes to show how strange and elusive the truth can be. Appalling and depressing, certainly, but at the same time an entertaining and important film.

I love true crime documentary + early Metallica. No brainer here. In a similair vein to 'The Thin Blue Line', 'Dear Zachary'. It left me numb and helpless.

The evidence wasn't really there the only real thing against them being a serrated hunting knife that was found behind their trailer park but finding a serrated hunting knife around a trailer park is like shooting fish in a barrel. At first I wasn't really leaning anyway towards guilty/not-guilty then they toss John Mark Byers into the mix

As a courtroom documentary, it's fantastic, but what elevates it is the presence of John Mark Byers, who unintentionally makes himself the creepiest villain in anything. Ever. Just Google Image Search his picture for proof.

At the end you don't know what really happened. What you do know is that the convictions were absolutely not beyond a shadow of a doubt and were convicted solely on hearsay and ignorance. It's absolutely infuriating. With that said the documentary itself is an excellent one and I'm very impressed at the access the crew had to everyone involved, the defense, the victims, the police, everyone. Still doesn't change how blatantly abused the justice system was here though.

Possibly the best documentary I've seen in my life. The interviews are heartfelt and provocative- and the interview with the stepfather, in the context of everything, possibly haunting. It is left entirely up to the viewer to decide if the boys are innocent, as the justice system has made up its mind twenty minutes into the three hour film.

A piercing, provocative look at a JUSTICE SYSTEM GONE ASTRAY. Plus it's fun to laugh at hillbillies.

Very interesting. Worth watching, especially if you're from the South. It shows how flawed the legal system can be when fear of the unusual is allowed to dictate.

Fascinating look at the West Memphis three that refuses to pick sides, and leaves the viewer with more questions than answers.

A horrendous crime provides the catalyst for an explosive whirlwind of hysteria, further fuelled by religious zeal and gleefully sensationalist media. The harrowing subject matter hooks, but it's the range of voices that impacts - emotion laden interviews with parents of victims and accused, meetings of prosecution and defence, extensive courtroom and crime scene footage. Such details illuminate with devastating clarity the tragedy inexorably born of this horror.

See my full review.

Very Interesting Documentary. And Despite The Subject Matter I Have To Say There Were Some Scenes Were I Had To Laugh At Some People Involved...

There is a crazy and creepy guy in this movie, and in my experience real crazy and creepy guys are the best.