Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
United States
2011
106 Min
Color
English
Synopsis
Don’t worry if you missed the first two parts of Emmy-winning documentarians Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky’s epic chronicle of the “West Memphis Three,” Arkansas teens convicted of the 1993 murders of three eight-year-old boys. Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory quickly catches you up on this lightning-rod case, initially tried without a shred of physical evidence and amidst hysterical claims of satanic cultism. We then flash forward to the present, where the accused await their final appeal and staggering new revelations further point to a gross miscarriage of justice. A stranger-than-fiction American tragedy, Paradise Lost 3 is also a profound meditation on the passage of time—never more than in the harrowed face of death-row inmate Damien Echols, now 36 with receding hair and premature arthritis, still hoping against hope for exoneration. –NYFF
Wall
Displaying 4 of 14 wall posts.
reneeruin
18Feb12
I was almost 14 when the WM3 were convicted. I have followed this case all my life. I am now 31. I hope this documentary wins Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars next week and I hope in the near future to see a Paradise Lost 4 where all three boys; Damien Echols , Jason Baldwin & Jessie Misskelley, Jr. have their names cleared and their full innocence proven so they may enjoy their freedom as truly free men.
Cameron Casper
18Feb12
Had a big' ol grin on my face at the end, even if they were released in pretty shitty circumstances.
Matthew_Lucas
16Feb12
This fascinating and disturbing documentary is the culmination of one of the most remarkable pieces of journalistic advocacy in recent memory. Detailing the startling new evidence in the case of the "West Memphis 3," accused of murdering three 8 year old boys, the film is a startling and surprisingly even handed exploration of an egregious failure of the American justice system, for both the victims and the accused.
Lauren Lucretia Elliott
29Jan12
I watched all three documentaries within around 12 hours - never has a story captivated me so much. Part 1 is still probably the best documentary ever made, considering the massive effect these documentaries and the publicity that came from them had in finally releasing the WM3.
Related Films
Fans
Displaying 5 of 30 fans.
Articles
Our roundup of essays and articles on this film.
NYFF 2011. Berlinger and Sinofsky's "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
By David Hudson on October 10, 2011
The “West Memphis 3” will be making their first public appearance this evening since they were freed in August.
Toronto 2011. Real to Reel + Mavericks Previews
By David Hudson on August 25, 2011
The “freeing” of the West Memphis 3 and AJ Schnack’s interview with TIFF programmer Thom Powers call for a second look at Real to Reel.
West Memphis Three To Attend NYFF Screening of PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY
By Twitchfilm.com on October 7, 2011
Hey documentary fans attending this year’s New York Film Festival: Paradise Lost director Joe Berlinger will be attending the screening of the second sequel to his 1996 documentary with the subjects of
Lists
Displaying 5 of 50 lists.
Reviews
No reviews yet — Write the first
Forum
Displaying
1 discussion topic.
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011)--Thoughts on Justice, Money and the American Criminal Justice System
18 posts by 6 people
3 months ago