The Staircase: Complete Series [Region 2]

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Product Description

France released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), French ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), French ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 3-DVD Set, Box Set, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Filmographies, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial. In 2001, author Michael Peterson was arraigned for the murder of his wife Kathleen, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the stairway of their home. Granted unusual access to Peterson's lawyers, home and immediate family, de Lestrade's cameras capture the defense team as it considers its strategic options. 'The staircase' is an engrossing look at contemporary American justice that features more twists than a legal bestseller. ...The Staircase - Complete Series - 3-DVD Box Set ( Soupçons ) ( Death on the Staircase )

The Staircase: Complete Series [Region 2] Review

When Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's comprehensive, problematic, and strangely exhilarating documentary miniseries "The Staircase" premiered on the Sundance Channel in 2004, I sat transfixed for all eight episodes. It is certainly a program that has stayed with me through the years, and I even survived the 2007 Lifetime network obligatory ripped-from-the-headlines interpretation "The Staircase Murders." Having had spotty availability on DVD for some time, I'm glad to see it keeps being reissued as this is surely one of the more fascinating examples of documentary filmmaking that you're likely to encounter. Lestrade, an Oscar winner for "Murder on a Sunday Morning," took on the 2001 highly publicized murder trial of author Michael Peterson to unravel the follies and foibles of the legal system. I saw an interview with Lestrade in which he claimed that once he met the larger-than-life Peterson, the direction the documentary would take started to formulate itself. And that's easy to believe, Peterson is a character you can't tear your eyes away from.

I have heard "The Staircase" decried as both a masterpiece and as irresponsible trash. It tends to elicit a very strong reaction as the piece itself, and Lestrade's point of view, seem pretty well substantiated. Does he feel Peterson was innocent of orchestrating the murder of his wife? It certainly seems that he does. And yet despite this obvious slant, the film itself won't necessarily make you a believer. Further research into actual events, should you be interested, also lead one to see that certain principle evidence vital to convicting Peterson gets little play in the documentary. But I don't think establishing guilt or innocence has anything to do with the brilliance of "The Staircase." Perhaps that's a controversial position, but the truths it does document are almost as frightening as any murder investigation. The movie allows its cast to create their own portraits, and this character study is as compelling and riveting as any fictional drama.

Peterson is a chilling and complicated persona whose very demeanor might make one leery. Others in the Peterson family are oddly vacant, others poised for vengeance. As presented, the prosecution's case becomes so extravagant and improbable--it's hard not to imagine a reasonable doubt acquittal. They so single-mindedly pile every strategy into the mix (a previous murder, fictional writing, sexuality, and other oddball theories). To watch the defense formulate plans about how they wish to build a rebuttal is never less than fascinating. But most interesting is how everything is just a construction, defense and prosecution. The truth seemingly is the least of anyone's concern when building a case. What's real? What's relevant? And does it matter?

This is, after all, the justice system at work. In this case, the trial was overcome by prejudices and pre-conceived notions. Guilt or innocence? I know what I believe after having researched this case in various venues. But, in the long run, Lestrade's film does more than just document a trial. It plays as grand theater and, thus, as an insightful and harrowing look into the jurisprudence system--it is almost essential viewing. Slanted? Biased? Sure. Fascinating? Disturbing? Absolutely. Definitely recommended to anyone with a special interest in the actual workings of a contemporary legal system--warts and all. About 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 12/12.

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