THE MURDER OF MARY PHAGAN

Though much of the movie focuses on Frank's controversial trial, his story certainly bears telling and is an interesting examination of the execution of justice.

As someone who grew up loving the mini-series, I have a soft spot in my heart for all of those relics of the 70s and 80s.  They were a bit like event television, and there was something pleasant about settling in for a long movie that you knew would take up several nights of your week.  The pacing was usually leisurely and vaguely calming and the casts were generally populated with familiar faces from television and film.  The Murder of Mary Phagan is no exception, but it's far less compelling to revisit than many of its counterparts.

Here I must pause to emphasize that it's not compelling to revisit (as in, it's hard to get all worked up about a four hour legal drama set in 1915 that originally aired on television in 1987), but that doesn't mean the film itself isn't compelling.  In a classroom setting or given the right mood, it's perfectly well done and worth watching.  It actually snagged the Emmy for best mini-series in 1988.

Peter Gallagher stars as Leo Frank, a man accused of strangling thirteen year old Mary Phagan in his factory.  He is convicted of the crime and sentenced to death, but is it possible the system failed him because of his religious and political ties?  The Governor of Georgia (Jack Lemmon) suspects that this might be the case, but taking a stance puts his own career in jeopardy.  Though much of the movie focuses on Frank's controversial trial, his story certainly bears telling and is an interesting examination of the execution of justice.  Regardless of Frank's actual innocence or guilt, prejudice and vigilante justice bring his case to an undeniably tragic end.