Dear Zachary

annaxxx

I'm not really sure if I should be posting this in film reviews or just films but anyway, I'm leaving it here!
I was on stumbleupon yesterday and came across a list of the 'best movies of the decade' and this documentary called Dear Zachary was 3rd on the list. I read the description and thought it sounded interesting so decided to give it a watch.
I have never been so emotionally exhausted by a film, it's devastating in ways you can't explain and won't understand unless you've watched it and watched it till the very end.
I'm just curious as to see if anyone else has seen it? It's a story I'm surprised I had never heard about on the news when it happened, and I think the fact that I started watching the movie having no real idea what it was about made even more of an impact than it would have otherwise. But either way it will stay with you for a very longtime.. I really suggest anyone who hasn't seen this to do so, it's a story I think everyone should know, and it makes it all the more powerful because it's made by the best friend of the man who it is (initially anyway) about.
The trailer barely even begins to delve into what happens in the documentary itself but it'll give you some sort of idea about what it's about..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtyY0CXdiNo

Peyton Manning

Far and away the best documentary (if you can call it that) I've ever seen, and definitely one of the best overall films I've ever watched.

Like you, I had absolutely no idea what it was about before I watched it. I was simply recommended it and was told not to read up on it or not to watch a trailer or anything before hand, I was just told to trust the guy who recommended it, so I did, and I'm glad I did. One hell of a story, there were several moments during it where I was just left speechless, anyone who has seen it of course knowing one moment in particular.

For anyone who hasn't seen it, just watch it as soon as you can.

Basq

The only film to make me blubber like a baby.... am not ashamed to admit it!

Powerful, thought-provoking, anger-inducing and I can't recommend it enough!

Amazing.. but go in cold (don't read Wiki, IMDb or any reviews!).

crazygeryy

i agree its amazing and well done and it made me cry like a big baby.very very moving and sad but well done.


ps how do you put a utube clip in a post?

annaxxx

Thrilled to see others have seen this and it had a similar effect on them! (How could it not really?) I've literally been trying to get everyone I know to watch it since I've seen it haha! It's hard to promote a film like this to people because there's very little info you can divulge without ruining it!

And Crazygeryy if you go to FAQ it explains how to do post youtube videos, it's very easy!

Podge_irl

It's a stunning documentary. It carries you through the entire gamut of emotions.

Richard Dower

^ also recomend not knowing anything about the story and go in cold turkey for the full effect, not seen it yet...but on my "to watch" list.

L31mr0d

The strength of the parents alone was something else. So many aspects of this documentary are just mind boggling, enraging, upsetting. You could of made a documentary about any one of them, but for all of them to happen to one family is just staggering.

You need to watch this documentary. It's a true story truly like no other I've ever heard.

meoklmrk91

I will be watching this one, never heard of it before but it looks excellent, thanks for the recommendation.

djkeogh

First time of heard of this like others but based on the recommendations it's going to the top of my must see pile.

Will go in cold as well.

Cheers OP

plissken

Anyone know if there are any plans for this to be shown on tele any time in the near future? Film Four seem to periodically screen documentaries with very little in the way of advertisement; I don't want to miss this should it be shown.

AnonoBoy

Haven't heard of it but I'm going to check it out based on that trailer and this thread.

the whole year inn

Yes seen it last night,it was very good and is a must watch!Hard too belive I havent heard aobut this before.What else was on that list Annaxx?

Cianan2

I read this thread yesterday and realised that I had only watched the first half of this film (while staying over in a friends, had to leave to get the aircoach and thus missed the rest!) I completely forgot about it until reading this, and so went about my way to watch it last night.

Holy ****!! I cried for the first time since I can remember, thank you OP for reminding me about this!! I do have emotion, after all...

Basq

Cianan2 wrote: »

IHoly ****!! I cried for the first time since I can remember, thank you OP for reminding me about this!! I do have emotion, after all...

Yeah.. I was the same!

It really hit home with me.. I felt emotionally and physically drained after it. Just amazing!

It really needs to be seen by more people.. don't know if it's even been aired over here.

annaxxx

gob_smacked wrote: »

Yes seen it last night,it was very good and is a must watch!Hard too belive I havent heard aobut this before.What else was on that list Annaxx?

I can't really remember, that one just jumped out at me for some reason! I'm surprised it isn't better known either considering the effect it has on the people who have seen it, you'd think work would spread more than it has!

eVeNtInE

This post has been deleted.

FruitLover

Too late for the people in this story, but hopefully it can help prevent similar situations in the future. Unbelievable that the murderer was let free so many times and for so long.

I remember someone in the documentary saying something along the lines of "who is the law protecting here?" which I thought summed up the bizarreness of and lack of common sense involved in the situation.

abouttobebanned

Oh Jesus.

Watched it after some of you guys mentioned it recently.

Seriously. I'm rattled.

Zombienosh

It's pretty heavy going.

Basq

An amazing piece of work.. emotionally draining and hard to get through.

But I don't think I've had a film / documentary affect me as much it.

Recommend everyone sees it!

MagicMarker

I was in tears.

Sad Professor

Merged.

Someone was telling me about this recently. Must check it out.

Das Kitty

I don't think I've ever found myself actually sobbing after a film let alone a week later when I started thinking about it again. Heart Rending stuff.

splashthecash

I too got this film without knowing the full story - just that it was a documentary about the filmmakers friend, that was it. I watched it with my wife and i just about kept in the tears (trying to hide them from her) but it really affected me. She really cried hard though.

Very moving story that made me as angry as I was saddened. We both watched in silence in disbelief at some points and then when "that" revelation came through....wow.

Really makes you want to spend more time with your family and appreciate your time on earth better - our 16 month old daughter was asleep upstairs while it was on and as soon as it was over, she woke....we ran up to her.

Andre80Johnson

Kurt Kuenne did an absolutely amazing job editing it. Simply put, it's a beautiful film and there is no shame for showing emotions towards it.

iggy

right im gonna get this film watched.
A mate of mine recommended it after he was a big blubbering bag of snots watching it.

havnt heard of it before and havnt a clue what its about.

Will report back

Da Shins Kelly

Fantastic documentary. Made me smile, while also making me so incredibly angry and sad at the same time. Brace yourself when watching it. It's pretty heavy stuff, very, very tough to take at the end.