A film based on Anne Rule's remarkable "true crime" memoir, "The Stranger Beside Me," is scheduled for viewing in my area at 8PM Eastern time tonight, Jan. 26th. I'm posting to alert anyone reading here who might be interested, just in case it's available in your area as well. It's not on one of the major networks, but a relatively new one called "Decades."
I've read that book and found it absolutely fascinating, especially because, as it turns out, Rule had been a close and long-time friend of serial killer Ted Bundy, whose career is the subject of her book. The book, and presumably the movie, is relevant to both the Avery case and the Ramsey case, as Bundy was extremely adept at convincing others of all sorts of things, including his own innocence. Rule herself had been an ardent supporter, refusing to accept that a straight-arrow as intelligent, generous and good natured as Bundy could possibly have been a cold hearted killer. He denied everything until the very end, and, as I recall, Rule, along with a great many others, was convinced he could not have done it and was being railroaded. It was only during his last-minute confession, practically at the doorstep of the execution chamber, that he decided to come clean in a filmed interview that's got to be one of the most chilling "documentaries" ever made.
There's a lesson here for those of us all too willing to be convinced by Avery's persistent claims of innocence, not to mention John Ramsey's denial of any knowledge of his daughter's murder. Not that there's anything about Bundy's story that tells us Avery or Ramsey is actually guilty -- only how easy it is for so many of us to let ourselves be convinced by a psychopath, insisting he's being framed, and the authorities were "out to get" him from the start.
So, what did you think of it?
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Compelling drama. Well scripted and produced, I thought. But it didn't make my point as clearly as I'd expected. The book goes into much more detail about how convincing he could be when claiming total innocence, and how even some highly intelligent and educated people were fooled.
DeleteAlso I realize I need to take back what I implied about Rule defending him to the end. Checking with the book it became clear that she did finally reach the point where she could no longer believe him. But it took a long time and she supported him even after he'd been arrested that first time. And even after his escape she was inclined to accept the possibility of his innocence.
I was particularly amused by his claim that he'd cracked a tooth only after the crimes he was accused of, implying that the dental evidence had been faked. Perfect example of a red herring. Thank God the jury didn't buy it.
If it wasn't for his last minute confession, I'm sure there'd be lots of people claiming to this day that he'd been railroaded.
Bundy was fascinating to me on a number of levels; first serial killer of whom I'd heard, more or less my age, geographical overlap in both Colorado and Florida, and a degree of . . . what, refinement? . . . of psychopathy I'd never encountered or read about. Big, big flap when he was executed.
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Doc, just catching up on your blog and I missed the airing of this film on Jan. 26. Do you happen to know if it is going to be re-aired or whether it is on Netflix? I am craving something new to watch and it sounds like it is most fascinating! I also never realized that Bundy professed his innocence until the end. I've seen clips of that last confessional interview and you're right . . . it's chilling.
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The Stranger Beside Me is available through Netflix on DVD. IMO, the book is better, though it's been a long time since I've seen either. Stephen Michaud wrote an excellent book based on his prison interviews with Bundy, called The Last Living Witness.
DeleteLE attributed, iirc, 36 murders to Ted, though he himself said it would be more accurate to "add a digit" to that number, implying there were hundreds.
I think you'd enjoy reading about him, bb. He was an atypical serial killer and a complex character.
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Hey Doc, any update on whether or not you're going to participate in that show about the JBR case?
ReplyDeleteAfter I explained my problem with their format, the lady told me she understood, and would look into the possibility of them accommodating my concerns. Since then I haven't heard from her. Nor have I heard anything about such a program being presented or even planned. Just as well, as they didn't seem very organized.
DeleteI'd be willing to participate on a show like Dateline or Sixty Minutes or 48 Hours, but that won't happen until there's some major breakthrough in the case, such as, hopefully, a confession. We'll just have to wait and see.
Where is Hercule? I'm bored. . .
ReplyDeleteHas anyone watched the documentary Steven Avery innocent or guilty. it was shown in the uk on Saturday. A very fair account from both sides i thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the head's up, evej. I found the program on YouTube under "Steven Avery Innocent or Guilty?" I've only watched half of it so far but, I agree, they're doing their best to present both sides.
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