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Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)

A horrific triple child murder leads to an indictment and trial of three nonconformist boys based on questionable evidence.
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Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 8 wins & 10 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Brooks ...
Himself - KAIT-TV (archive footage)
Diana Davis ...
Herself - KAIT-TV (archive footage)
Terry Wood ...
Himself - KAIT-TV (archive footage)
Dick Clay ...
Himself - KAIT-TV (archive footage)
Jenna Newton ...
Herself - KAIT-TV (archive footage)
Gary Gitchell ...
Himself
Tommy Stacy ...
Himself (as Rev. Tommy Stacy)
Melissa Byers ...
Herself
Todd Moore ...
Himself
Dana Moore ...
Herself
...
Herself
Jessie Misskelley Sr. ...
Himself
Gail Grinnell ...
Herself
Joe Hutchinson ...
Himself
...
Himself

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Storyline

Berlinger and Sinofsky's documentary of a gruesome triple murder in West Memphis, Arkansas and the subsequent trials of three suspects, takes a hard look at both the occult and the American justice system in 'small-town' America. Three teenagers are accused of this horrific crime of killing three children, supposedly as a result of involvement in Satanism. As in their previous documentary, things turn out to be more complex than initial appearances and this film presents the real-life courtroom drama to the viewer, as it unfolds. Written by Tad Dibbern <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

It's frightening to think they did it. It's terrifying to think they didn't.


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Release Date:

10 June 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

America Undercover: Paradise Lost - The Child Murders at Robin Hood Woods  »

Filming Locations:


Company Credits

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Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Was #7 on Gene Siskel's list of the Best Films of 1994. See more »

Goofs

Damien reads this Shakespearean quote while on trial: "Life's but a walking shadow...full of sound and fury signifying nothing." He incorrectly refers to it as being from A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is fact a soliloquy famously from Macbeth. See more »

Quotes

Damien Wayne Echols: I knew from when I was real small people were gonna know who I was, I always had that feeling... I just never knew how they were gonna learn. I kind of enjoy it now because even after I die, people are gonna remember me forever. People are gonna talk about me for years. People in West Memphis will tell their kids stories... It'll be sorta like I'm the West Memphis boogie man. Little kids will be looking under their beds - "Damien might be under there!"
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Soundtracks

The Call of Ktulu
By Metallica
Written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, and Dave Mustaine
Produced by Metallica (uncredited)
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User Reviews

Beyond "Deliverance"
16 July 2001 | by (Corona, NY) – See all my reviews

Truth may be stranger than fiction, but the American courtroom is stranger, still. For the two hours during which I've watched this film I've gained a valuable insight into the nature of the witch trials. I feel powerless, as there is not much I can do to help these kids. But perhaps there is a lesson in it for us, and everyone who has seen the film should have taken some mental notes. First -- never name youself or your children 'Damien' -- especially if you live in the Bible Belt. And, as a general survival strategy, do not be the black sheep of the local community. There may come the time when your eccentric behavior alone will be used against you to sentence you to death.


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