At the Death House Door

Excellent portrayal of one man's long experience with executions in Texas. As a chaplain, he possesses an insight into the minds of the convicts in their last days and hours, some of whom he is convinced were innocent. The film does a nice job mixing the chaplain's story with the investigation into one presumably innocent man who was executed. It falters a bit in the last act with the inclusion of a strong activist mentality.

Pickett is a deeply introspective man, who articulates his doubts and compassion extremely well, and makes a compelling case against the death penalty. The other thread of the film is a bit less satisfying. Although they introduce more than enough doubt to make the execution of Carlos DeLuna a tragedy, I really craved more details about the case. The absence of information about the crime and the trial left me wondering when the other shoe was going to drop. But the Pickett parts make up for it.

Great documentary about the wrongful and huge number of execution of convicts and inmates on Texas' death row. The evidence behind the presumably innocent man who was killed is strong, adding an addition sucker-punch to the state.

A scathing indictment of Texas' death penalty.

Pretty dull. Definitely watch James' 'Stevie' over this one.