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PROCEDURE 769, the witnesses to an execution
Procedure 769 is the document that lays down how a prisoner is to be executed. For the first time in 25 years the procedure was again followed in California, USA.
On April 21, 1992, just before 6 am, Robert Harris stepped into the bright green light. He could only see the audience through the thick glass: his brother, a few friends, and also relative of his victims. There were witnesses on behalf of the state, reporters, and even several VIP’s. The warden stood behind the condemned and looked him straight in the eye when he pushed the lever which lowered the crystals into the acid. All witnesses had a good reason to watch. For one is was a democratic duty, another wanted to see justice served, some wanted to help the condemned in the last moments of his life.
They all looked at the same: a dying man. Yet each saw different things happen.
1995 / 82 minutes / 35mm
Credits
co-director Rikkert Boonstra
photography Peter Brugman n.s.c.
sound Tom d’Angremond
editing Leo de Boer
music Joke Geraets
producers Jan Heijs & Ruud Monster
tv network NCRV
produced by JURA Filmproductions
International sales Films Transit
Baker's mother asked me 'would you hold us?'
Richard Beswick STATE WITNESS
And then his head came up again
Craig Haney
PSYCHOLOGIST, FRIEND ROBERT HARRIS
and in 5, 10 seconds, it was over.
He didn't feel anything
Bill Kolender STATE WITNESS
I mouthed "I love you'
Randall Harris BROTHER ROBERT HARRIS
Everbody was ready to have their senses assaulted
Richard Beswick STATE WITNESS
He struggled a little bit, but not enough for me, unfortunately
Linda Herring VIP WITNESS
I still see him sitting there, with that blanket over his shoulder
Leon Harris SPRITUAL ADVISOR
The gas has been released into the gaschamber of Robert Harris
News 8 LIVE REPORT
it looked like he was falling asleep during a boring meeting
Sharon Mankins MOTHER OF VICTIM
9:40 AM Body bag inspected and prepared
Procedure 769
Kentucky Fried Chicken, two pizza's, six pack of soda's, Pepsi
Pre-execution activity log
He did not know why he was still alive
Daniel Vasquez WARDEN / EXECUTIONER
It was just a job
Wade Douglas RADIO REPORTER
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Press
The topic is anything but viewer-friendly, yet the pic is never less than fascinating, mainly thanks to a series of often astonishing interviews with the people who saw Harris die that April morning in San Quentin
Brendan Kelly - VARIETY
With its dramatically lit interviews that describe, in harrowing detail, the prison and the execution, Procedure 769 transcends TV documentary to produce a deeply plumbed analysis of the passion of hatred and the desire to kill.
Kay Armitage - Toronto Filmfestival 1995
No courtroom scene can carry the weight that these witnesses carried, and that this film focuses so tightly on that fact makes this film rise above. Highly recommended.
John LaTour - LetterBoxed
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