Dead Man's Line (2018) User Reviews (16)

Review from Australia

[machinalex · 7/10 · 28 March 2018]

I first heard about the story of Tony Karitsis in the infamous documentary, "The killing Of America" among many insane moments in a film loaded with mayhem and brutality, the Tony Karitsis segment stood out as something pretty mind blowing. The fact that a crazed gunman took a hostage and paraded him around the streets with a shotgun strapped to his neck and then held him in an apartment for 3 days is really something I just couldn't imagine. The fact that a great amount of video footage was broadcast live is even more hard to imagine. So anyway, I somehow stumbled across this new documentary last week and decided I'd like to learn a little more about the incident. The film is pieced together from a large deal of Audio and Visual archival material and the gaps are filled in with talking heads. The shocking footage really speaks, but what the way the filmmakers have transported you into the moment by piecing all the conceivable angles (audio recordings, news casts and footage from the scene) into a cohesive account of the events is a really great feat. The interviewees range from police to family members giving you the facts and talking you through the ordeal moment by moment. The film does give you a detailed account of the proceedings, but I think a little more back story on some of the key players earlier in the film would have set the scene a little better and given the narrative a little more drive. It would have also been really great to get an interview with the victim of the crime, but I guess he might have other plans.

If you like true crime stories this is a compelling and nerve wracking documentary, worth a watch. 7/10

You want to watch this one...

[The_Boxing_Cat · 10/10 · 5 November 2019]

Kudos to the filmmakers! Absolutely astonishing documentary that will hold you to the screen in the same sense Tony held Dick.

This should be seen by all journalists and law students and for those who like the seat of your pants thrills of real crime. This is the stuff that documentary filmmaking should be.

Just watch it! You won't be disappointed.

Worth the Extra Time

[vladmandingo · 9/10 · 19 December 2018]

A well-made film by what would appear to be a first-time feature length documentarian. It could probably stand to lose 5-10 minutes of fat, particularly in the final 20 or so, but ultimately compelling. It isn't for everyone, as it does expect some patience with its stylistic choices. Give it time, though, and I feel you will walk away satisfied.

Everything you want in a crime doc.

[eliotwadd · 9/10 · 18 February 2020]

This movie should be in the dictionary under the definition of 'in medias res'. There's very little set-up before you are thrown into what is absolutely the most bonkers story I've heard in all my years of listening to true crime--and, incredibly, most of it was caught on film, in decent quality even! Berry and his team did an excellent job putting together film and audio directly from the event, spliced with interviews with people who were there as the whole impossible story rolled out. Very slickly produced, well-shot, good pacing, and despite the fact that this is literally a film about a man with a sawed-off shotgun wired to the back of another man's head, this documentary does NOT veer into the sensationalist or over-hyped territory that would have put it firmly into a lower class of film. My only critique is that I would have loved to hear more analysis in the film of how this incredible case changed legal precedent around the 'insanity' defence.

To get your full ten-star experience, I recommend hitting up the film's website after -- there's all kinds of bonus content there that really helps contextualize the event, as well as answers some questions I still had at the end. There's even a trivia section. Truly, a documentary after this true crime nerd's heart.

Style style style!!

[addy-berry · 10/10 · 8 May 2018]

I'm not sure how to describe it but the director uses what seems like a whole new type of documentary style to get this unbelievable true story across. I wasn't expecting anything too special coming into watching this movie. I had no idea I'd be watching possibly my fav doc ever. You won't just be on the edge of your seat in complete wonder of what will happen next.. Dead Mans Line will get under your skin and cook your goose.. The end result will leave you floored.

Meaningful on many levels

[cmarshall-5 · 10/10 · 4 June 2018]

I was a young man in Indianapolis when this event occurred, and watching this footage in the hands of a skilled documentarian some forty years later was so meaningful on so many levels. Some of the issues raised are obvious and easily articulated; many others will have you pondering what you just saw long after the credits roll.

Edge-of-your seat, captivating film

[mjbecker-32514 · 9/10 · 20 February 2018]

Awesome documentary about a suspenseful and dramatic hostage situation in downtown Indianapolis! A good mixture of first-person interviews, actual footage of the hostage situation, and radio/phone audio clips. This film is an hour-and-a-half well spent if you like drama and suspense. Was on the edge-of-my-seat the entire time. Highly recommend.

Excellent Documentary

[mburman-44430 · 10/10 · 27 February 2018]

Having lived in Indianapolis for most of my life (since 1973), I remember seeing and hearing about this story throughout the years. But I always wanted to know more. I was only 9 at the time so I don't remember seeing any of the news stories or live coverage, I'm sure by design by my parents. To finally see the footage, feel the intensity as though it was happening live today, was quite an experience. Thank you so much for creating this documentary and allowing me to finally gain perspective on this important piece of Indianapolis history. Well done!!!

An Intense Watch

[dravin-87471 · 10/10 · 7 November 2018]

Having lived in Indianapolis all my life, I had never heard about this hostage event. Watching this documentary was an edge-of-my-seat insight into an insane picture of the local past. Compelling every step of the way.

Captivating

[homhammo · 10/10 · 20 March 2018]

I could not take my eyes off the screen! This was a captivating documentary and I really enjoyed the amount of footage they were able to get of this event! For someone who was born after the 70's I never knew about this incident and it really was quite interesting to see how it all unfolded. 10 out of 10 would recommend to a friend. If you like documentaries you will love this one!

Excellent Documentary

[apm75 · 12 January 2020]

I'd been waiting a long time to watch this and it was well worth the wait. The fascinating true story of Tony Kiritsis is beautifully executed in this entertaining and and informative documentary. Thoroughly well done and high recommended.

Holy Cr*p!

[davidahess · 10/10 · 7 November 2018]

This is riveting. Tony Kiritsis held a banker hostage on live TV with a shotgun strapped to his neck. Why isn't this a bigger story??

I have watched this twice now, It's a great film. It's it both interesting as heck and technically brilliant. I am terrible at reviews, but get a copy of this film if you have to steal it and watch it tonight.

A Harrowing Episode

[mdallan · 9/10 · 8 February 2018]

Although this documentary depicts an incident that happened more than 40 years ago, it still feels fresh and raw. Alan Berry has done a good job revisiting a harrowing moment in Indianapolis history.

AMAZING!!

[MagicDragonLove · 10/10 · 13 February 2020]

I watched Dead Man's Line and it was really good. This story was explained extremely well. I grew up in Chicago, and the 1970s was before my time but I love history and never knew anything about Tony Kiritsis. After watching this film, I felt like I was there at that moment when this event happened. It sent shivers down my spine. I love that there were so many videos and audios of the actual event. I couldn't take my eyes off the film and the introduction of the was extremely cool, at that point, I was fully engaged and couldn't stop watching!

Superb documentary about a hostage situation in 1970s Indianapolis

[kmac413 · 10/10 · 8 February 2018]

I saw Dead Man's Line at the East Lansing Film Festival, where it rightfully won "Best Documentary." It's a gritty, heart-pounding story about a hostage situation in 1970s Indianapolis. A must see for any true-crime or documentary enthusiast.

Absolutely gripping!

[cjbarr-78480 · 10/10 · 18 April 2020]

A superb documentary by Alan Berry. I first heard of this incident watching the Killing of America many, many years ago.

Stylishly made but without being over the top, it lets you know from the very start that America's 1977 wasn't exactly stellar. Its reminders put you firmly in that frame of mind for what's to come over the next 97 minutes.

Raw and uncensored, it grabs you with two men dealing with their own personal hell for those three days in an Indianapolis winter and it doesn't let you go.

This is a must watch for anyone interested in the true crime genre.