The Thin Blue Line
“Erases the border between art and activism.”
1988•NR•1h 43m•7.7•Released
CrimeDocumentary
One night in November 1976, after his car breaks down on a road outside Dallas, Randall Dale Adams accepts a ride from teenager David Harris. Harris is driving a stolen vehicle and, later that night, when Dallas police officer Robert Wood pulls the car over to check its headlights, he is shot and killed. A jury believes Adams is the killer, but 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.
Director
Errol Morris
Writer
Errol Morris
Revenue
$1M
Languages
English
Studio
American Playhouse
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
Edith James
Self - Defense Attorney
Dennis White
Self - Defense Attorney
Don Metcalfe
Self - The Judge
Emily Miller
Self - Surprise Eyewitness
R.L. Miller
Self - Surprise Eyewitness
Production
Company
American Playhouse
Company
Third Floor Productions
Producer
Mark Lipson
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