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Into The Abyss [DVD]

Werner Herzog    Suitable for 12 years and over   DVD
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
Price: £9.85 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Into The Abyss [DVD] + Grizzly Man [2005] [DVD] + Cave Of Forgotten Dreams
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Product details

  • Directors: Werner Herzog
  • Format: Anamorphic, Dolby, PAL
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 12
  • Studio: Revolver Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 30 April 2012
  • Run Time: 107 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B0073V2GFQ
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,699 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

Product Description

In his fascinating exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas, master filmmaker Werner Herzog (Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Grizzly Man), probes the human psyche to explore why people kill and why a state kills. In intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old death row inmate Michael Perry (scheduled to die within eight days of appearing on-screen), Herzog achieves what he describes as a gaze into the abyss of the human soul. Herzog s inquiries also extend to the families of the victims and perpetrators as well as a state executioner and pastor who have been with death row prisoners as they ve taken their final breaths. As he has so often done before, Herzog s investigation unveils layers of humanity, making an enlightening trip out of ominous territory.

About the Director

Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End of the World, Ode to the Dawn of Man


Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars LIVE YOUR DASH 9 Jun 2012
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The title of my review comes from a former state executioner who oversaw around 120 inmates put to death.He was saying that on your tombstone you have the day you were born,the day you died and the dash between these dates is your life.Werner Herzogs documentary Into The Abyss is an exploration of a triple homicide case that occurred in Texas which lead to a death sentence for Micheal Perry and a life sentence for Jason Burkett.The crime was just a profound waste,a pointless tragedy seemingly all down to wanting to steal a car.
We hear from the families of the victims,the police,a pastor,the father of one of the perpetrators which really builds a complete picture and also reveals just the complete complexities,emotions of events that just happen.Things out of anyones control.
As a viewer i just soaked the film in,in many ways at a loss at what to think or feel.Obviously the question of the death penalty hangs over the proceedings Herzog explicit in his view that he doesn't agree.I have always made clear concerning my feelings,i believe the rights of victims come first.I really struggle with the ideas of showing compassion to criminals who showed none to their victims who they snub out and in this case dump into a river.
Herzog as a documentary maker and interviewer is suberb,you just know he wants to get right inside the subject,he wants to capture what these people think,feel,regret.Herzog is an old school maverick,give this dude a battered camcorder send him out and he will capture some magic.What really strikes you is just the amount of sadness that can be experienced in a persons life,one family member detailing the death of her father,sister,uncle on top of the senseless murders of her brother and mother.These people show unimaginable strength in the face of profound adversities.It has to be added that we also see how families can all descend into a life of crime and prison sentences.
This is evocative,thought provoking cinema from a very special film maker.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By L. Hennessy TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
I've just finished watching this film, and it has moved me profoundly. Herzog is opposed to the death penalty, but ironically it's made me change my mind: I'm now in favour of it.

We see Michael Perry, the murderer sentenced to death answer questions as he meets Werner Herzog for the first time - we hear Werner's gentle Germanic tones as he says to him (amongst other things) that "When I talk to you, it does not necessarily mean that I have to like you" - he is setting the rules of the interchange that follows. I hate Perry and Jason Burkett for what they did.

We hear the account of the murders as told by law officers - their account of events accompanying police footage of the crime scene and the bodies as they were left: how two teenagers firstly killed a woman for her car, then her son and his friend. I know the world contains callous, stupid people - but their deeds offend me to the core. Discarded corpses left like litter without a second thought.

We then hear the accounts of witnesses and the victims' families, and of the perpetrators themselves; Werner Herzog is never directly seen during the film - sometimes we catch the merest glimpse of his reflection in the prison glass, but mostly we hear him - asking always the direct questions, the ones that take the quickest route to the truth he wants to discover. Never does he betray partiality, or emotion; always it is the truth that he is trying to catch. It is all the more powerful for this. It is beyond doubt that both teenagers are guilty, but one has life imprisonment rather than death to look forward to. Disgustingly, both Michael Perry and Jason Burkett lie about what happened - both try to maintain their innocence; this is almost too much to bear. Habitually amoral career criminals still trying to worm their way through life by continuing to lie, lie, lie.

The whole horror of their stupid pointless crimes gradually gets to you as the film progresses - just how many lives are changed irretrievably, and the devastation those moments caused. The relatives, the witnesses - everyone is interviewed, including an executioner who just couldn't do it any more after he had to kill a female prisoner for the first time (he quit, and lost his pension after having some sort of breakdown); there are many noble victims here.

I want to describe the film in more detail - the different people involved and the feelings they provoke, but I can't. I'm left pondering the 'Abyss' of the title - is it the death that awaits one of the killers, or is it the darkness that envelops those who are left behind?

This is a very powerful and provocative film - I recommend it, but the truth it contains is painful and ugly to behold.

The execution is not shown.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Into the Abyss by Werner Herzog 8 April 2013
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an excellent documentary that brings the viewer behind the scenes capturing not just the perceptions of the victims but also the perpetrators. It deals with the subject of capital punishment in a way that reveals it for what it is. After watching this movie you will certainly be in a better position to make an informed decision about the death penalty. Highly recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars good film
People killing other people and the justice system, and generally some of American society. Herzog tackles all of these things how others don't normallly do. Very well balanced. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jayesh Patel
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant documentary
On the case it states "Will stay with you long after the credits have rolled"; a week after viewing I still have this stuck in my mind. Read more
Published 3 months ago by balsall
3.0 out of 5 stars movie OK, but no subtitles
The movie is okay, but there are no subtitles, therefore it's often difficult to understand, as the language and the pronunciation of the movie is rather slang than a standard.
Published 4 months ago by Jurate
5.0 out of 5 stars A true eye-opener
I had no idea what I was buying when I came across Into The Abyss. Didn't have any history of Werner Herzog. Even when I started watching, I still had no idea what was to come. Read more
Published 5 months ago by The usual suspect
5.0 out of 5 stars you must watch it
I really recommend this film. Very interesting and can change your point of view about death penalty. Read more
Published 8 months ago by P. Ostrzechowski
3.0 out of 5 stars Decent, but incomplete ...
The movie is really decent but it leaves out a lot of details about the case, specifically about Jason Burkett's side of the story. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Stefan Dubiel
5.0 out of 5 stars death row
Werner Herzog was a name I wasn't too familiar with, until I saw this docu-film. Fantastic piece, really put together well and will make you question your views about the death... Read more
Published 13 months ago by nish123
5.0 out of 5 stars Best film of the year!
Werner Herzog has created an absolute masterpiece in this film about the death penalty in North America. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars Werner does it again
I am a massive fan of Werner Hertzog and was lucky enough to go down to the Q&A he did for into the abyss. It is absolutely amazing. Read more
Published 13 months ago by RossBis
5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable
Werner Herzog has the wonderful gift of being able to get his subjects to open up in the most incredible of ways. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Friendly Dictator
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