Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.

Name: Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.
Genre: Documentary
Released: TODO_MISSING
Rating: 100

1999, Documentary, 1h 30m

42 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

critics consensus

Mr. Death outlines its subject's controversial life's work with the deeply fascinating and thought-provoking élan film fans have come to expect from director Errol Morris. Read critic reviews

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Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. Photos

Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. (1999)

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Movie Info

Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris investigates the case of a man who became an authority on capital punishment, but was discredited when he got involved on the wrong side of a court case. Leutcher, a meek man whose appearance belies his grim expertise, develops what he says is a more effective electric chair. Before long he's in demand from officials who want his opinions on other kinds of execution. But when called to aid the case of an accused Holocaust denier, Leutcher's problems begin.

Rating:

PG-13
Genre:

Documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

Errol Morris
Producer:

Dorothy Aufiero, David Collins, Errol Morris, Kathy Trustman, Michael Williams
Release Date (Theaters):

Jan 14, 2000 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Jul 22, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA):

$495.3K
Runtime:

1h 30m
Distributor:

Universal Pictures
Sound Mix:

Surround

Cast & Crew

Fred A. Leuchter Jr.
Self

Robert Jan Van Pelt
Self

David Irving
Self

Caroline Leuchter
Self

James Roth
Self

Shelly Shapiro
Self

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (42)

Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times

Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly

Full Review… Todd McCarthy Variety

Full Review… Jay Carr Boston Globe

Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews

Full Review… Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle

Full Review… Drew Morton Pajiba

Full Review… Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena

Full Review… Film Threat

Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com

Full Review… Moriarty Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews

Full Review… Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (42)

Audience Reviews for Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.

Jan 27, 2012

Wow! Great early effort by Errol Morris and we can see how his effective documentary tools were developed here. Leuchter probably gets more attention that he deserves as a result but it is a shocking look at the true nut jobs that exist in the broader world.

John B Super Reviewer
Jan 18, 2009

Interesting study of Fred Leuchter's underwhelming career, poor judgement and antisemitic reasoning.

Randy T Super Reviewer
Apr 22, 2008

What a bizzare little man.

The M Super Reviewer
Feb 08, 2008

Amazing look at an outsider, and the choices he makes to be accepted, no matter by whom. Disturbing and sad, this is a truly great film about lonliness and what it drives people to do.

Christopher B Super Reviewer