The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was sentenced to death in Texas for killing his three children even after scientific evidence and expert testimony bolstere... Read allThe tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was sentenced to death in Texas for killing his three children even after scientific evidence and expert testimony bolstered his claims of innocence.The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was sentenced to death in Texas for killing his three children even after scientific evidence and expert testimony bolstered his claims of innocence.
- Vasquez
- (as Carlos Gómez)
- George
- (as Wayne Pére)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDespite undeniable proof provided by well-regarded scientists and experts - specifically Dr Hurst who is considered one of the foremost experts on arson in the world - Todd's ex-wife, Stacey (Willingham) Kuykendall, believes he is guilty of the murders of Amber, Karmon, and Kameron. As recently as 2018 she continues to deny the evidence and objects to her portrayal as a "villain" in this film.
- GoofsWhen the detectives are at Todd's house and are taking pictures of the crime scene, there are two posters of metal albums on the wall. One is the cover of the album 'Prevail' by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm, released in 2008, and the other is the cover of the album 'Abrahadabra' by Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir, released in 2010, while the movie takes place in 1991.
- Quotes
Cameron Todd Willingham: Thanks to you, I have tried to make my peace. You showed me that love is always there if you just open yourself to it. You helped me to learn to enjoy the simple blessings of being alive.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Talking Dead: Do Not Send Us Astray (2018)
All three of these movies have in common the unrelenting need to showcase the individual as true and real to their beliefs no matter the hard forces that oppress you. And this is a very important thing to teach, something we really do not see enough of.
This movie I cannot get out of my mind and I believe it is for the fact that Jack O'Connell is clearly a master of acting and he is speaking for someone who has no voice of their own: it is gut-wrenchingly powerful. Never before have I seen an actor so devoted to portraying the underdog who is really forced to come to understanding of a terrible fate.
These types of movies are valid because they give you not just the story but the feeling. The feeling of being lost and forgotten, yet heard by someone. I don't care who you are, deep down everyone should be able to relate to that: being unheard by the masses but remembered by few. It's literally one of the only things we can strive for.
I probably won't be able to change your mind about whether or not you want to sit through (**another**) relentless prison movie where hope can only come through as passive understanding. And I won't say that this movie is for everyone but if you are curious about some of the major inequalities (and I say major because instead of reform we are just erasing these people from society) that plague or beautiful and modern world and you can stomach a little short of 2 hours of intense character development in an setting where development isnt just unencouraged but definitely unwanted then you need to check out this movie. Just remember though that the hope is still out there.
And I just want to end by saying "thank you" to Jack O'Connell. Your efforts to bring awareness to these causes is greatly appreciated not just by me but by many. And I know he would never read this but i just want to add that his depictions of struggles through insane situations has increased the desire in me to enact change as well, and that is what art is all about. So a huge applause to him for taking on the roles that must be near impossible to shake off at nite.
And if you enjoy this definitely check him out in Starred Up and Unbroken, then tell everyone you know about these injustices because that is the only way we will ever change as a society.
Thanks for reading.
- popcolin
- Oct 1, 2019
- How long is Trial by Fire?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $148,504
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $78,817
- May 19, 2019
- Gross worldwide
- $148,504
- Runtime2 hours 7 minutes
- Color
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