The Thin Blue Line

1988 103 min ★ 7.7 Crime, Documentary

An unorthodox investigation into the wrongful conviction of Randall Dale Adams for the 1976 murder of Dallas police officer Robert Wood. Using stylized reenactments and interviews with key figures, conflicting testimonies and evidence are presented to argue that Adams was framed by a corrupt justice system, ultimately leading to his exoneration.

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Cast

Randall Adams

Self

David Harris

Self

Gus Rose

Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas

Jackie Johnson

Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas

Marshall Touchton

Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas

Dale Holt

Self - Internal Affairs Investigator in Dallas

Sam Kittrell

Self - Police Detective in Vidor

Hootie Nelson

Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor

Dennis Johnson

Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor

Floyd Jackson

Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor

Details

Director

Errol Morris

Tagline

"Erases the border between art and activism."

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Revenue

$1,209,846

Production

American Playhouse, Third Floor Productions

Reviews

T

tmdb76622195

September 29, 2023

★ 10/10

In November 1976 in Dallas, Texas, Police Officer Robert Wood was shot and killed while making an otherwise routine traffic stop. One man was arrested and sentenced to death for the crime, based on the testimony of a sixteen year old acquaintance. These basic facts are covered in one of the most brilliant films to come out of the 1980's. Randall Adams was no drifter. He was moving from Ohio and wa...