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10 Years ago... Oct 12th, 1998 - Excellent way this movie was put together... Overall, I'd recommend that this Film should be shown to every middle school and High School class across the Nation. Let the world see how even today we still have so much HATE here in the United States and you can see the Bible thumper trying to say these KILLERS of a 21 year old gay male had done nothing wrong? Seems if this would have happened somewhere else in the world, The United States would be the first to jump on a white horse and bring everyone to justice. Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998) was a gay American college student at the University of Wyoming who was murdered near Laramie on the night of October 6 – October 7, 1998. Shepard died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, on October 12, 1998, from severe head injuries. His murder brought national as well as international attention to the issue of hate crime legislation at the state and federal levels. Russell Arthur Henderson pleaded guilty to felony murder and kidnapping, allowing him to avoid the death penalty. Aaron James McKinney was convicted of felony murder and kidnapping. Henderson is currently serving two consecutive life sentences and McKinney is serving the same but without the possibility of parole. Shortly after midnight on October 7, 1998, 21-year-old Shepard met McKinney and Henderson in a gay bar. McKinney and Henderson offered Shepard a ride in their car. Subsequently, Shepard was robbed, pistol whipped, tortured, tied to a fence in a remote, rural area, and left to die. McKinney and Henderson also found out his address and intended to rob his home. Still tied to the fence, Shepard was discovered eighteen (18)hours later by a cyclist, who at first thought that Shepard was a scarecrow. At the time of discovery, Shepard was still alive, but in a coma. Shepard suffered a fracture from the back of his head to the front of his right ear. He had severe brain stem damage, which affected his body's ability to regulate heart rate, body temperature and other vital signs. There were also about a dozen small lacerations around his head, face and neck. His injuries were deemed too severe for doctors to operate. Shepard never regained consciousness and remained on full life support. As he lay in intensive care, candlelight vigils were held by the people of Laramie. He was pronounced dead at 12:53 A.M. on October 12, 1998 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. Police arrested McKinney and Henderson shortly thereafter, finding the bloody gun as well as the victim's shoes and wallet in their truck. The two men had attempted to get their girlfriends to provide alibis.Read full review
Though the subject seems to be "homosexuality," in reality it is hate, bigotry, prejudice, habit, social apathy, diversity, and the universality of unrecognized evil. The fine folk of Laramie, in whose town one of the most despicable hate crimes our time occurred, come to terms with the complex and all too human conditions which can underlie social kindness, fellowship, church, family, friendship, competition, self-worth, and love. You will understand, love, and empathize with each of the citizens of Laramie as they come to grips with Matthew Shepard's murder -- no matter what their personal or political positions happen for the moment to be.
This is the unbelievable true story of what happened to a teenage boy in Laramie, when he came out of the closet. It is breathtakingly sad and poignant. It is very deserving of a watch as the actors threw their hearts and souls into doing these characters justice that they demand to be watched and praised! And it is loaded with big names to add another reason why it demands to be watched!! If you have always wanted to see this movie, do yourself a huge favor and watch it now!! I guarantee you will love this movie, you will laugh and cry. WAY more crying than laughing after what happens happens, but as true stories go, this one was by far a gruesome sick true story.
Perfect, this is a movie I will remember.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I have seen the play 2 times and I wanted to see the documentary and It is very well put together I think. I love it to death. One of my all time favorites!!!
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