One of the reasons a film like this doesn't get more attention (I believe it made less than $200,000 at the box office) is because of the heavy-handed approach that is taken by the filmmakers who are so overzealous when it comes to their "cause," their political philosophy becomes their guiding light. And it's that light that leads the story astray. The real issue in this case wasn't whether or not Cameron Todd Willingham actually committed the crimes of arson and first degree murder of his three children. The real issue was did the prosecutors in the case prove he committed these crimes. And the answer to that question is a loud and clear "NO.!" No, they did not. The other issue here has to do with the type of defense attorneys that are assigned to cases when defendants cannot afford private counsel. However, I will say that even when public defenders do not have access to the same amount of money, and even if they may not always have degrees from more prestigious institutions, that absolutely does not mean they are stupid hicks who don't know the law. There are plenty of good public defenders in the state of Texas. Unfortunately, Willingham apparently didn't have one. There was plenty of reasonable doubt in this case. Again, that was the issue here. Not the innocence of Willingham. Was he innocent? I think so. But "I think so" isn't what would have kept Willingham from a needle in his vein. Reasonable doubt should have. That is what mattered here. Not the director's or anyone else's political mission regarding the abolishment of the death penalty. Anyone should have been able to see this story, and be outraged regarding Willingham's unjust execution. Even those who, otherwise, support the death penalty. But Director Edward Zwick and those who helped him bring this story to the screen didn't seem to care about that. And because they didn't, they made a story where injustice existed, and where anyone with half a brain could have seen said injustice, and turned it into a morality, anti-death penalty mission that wasn't interested in speaking to everyone. And because of that, all Zwick really accomplishes, is creating a polished film that preached to the choir. What a missed opportunity.
Review of Trial by Fire
