Review: Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. (1999)
Frankie Paiva
rated PG-13
91 minutes
a documentary featuring Fred A. Leuchter Jr., Caroline Leuchter, and Ernst
Zundel
directed by Errol Morris
A Video Review by Frankie Paiva
Fred A. Leuchter Jr., a man who improved the electric chair, gallows, and the
lethal injection machine in the 1980s, should not expect his research to
concern a large audience. After all, only those receiving capital punishment
would ever get to experience his work. So maybe Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall
of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. is supposed to educate its audience about his
progress in the field. We certainly learn more about the before and after of
the electrocution process than most will ever need to know. Leuchter is so
straightforward when he explains why two shocks of electricity must be used,
or lists everything that could go wrong with a hanging that his graphic
statements are never short of sickening. He is dismayed there is no interest
in making executions more humane. Looking for any way possible to increase
awareness of his research, Leuchter agreed to travel to Poland to investigate
sites thought to have been gas chambers during the Holocaust for Ernst
Zundel. Zundel published a pamphlet claiming the Holocaust was a hoax, and
was brought to court in Canada for printing something he knew was false.
After some rather amateurish investigation, Fred believes there was no way
any type of gas chamber could have existed. One gets an even better sense of
this disturbing man as the film goes on from interviews with his wife and
others.
This is probably one of the closest attempts to making a documentary horror
film ever. Fred A. Leuchter Jr. is one of the most interesting subjects to
come along in a while. When he drones on (sounding amazingly like Woody
Allen) about why a lethal injection machine is totally different from an
electric chair he sent chills down my spine. Even scarier is the thought that
this man is an actual person. His odd appearance, Austin Powers yellow teeth,
and bizarre coffee addiction makes him even creepier. Errol Morris has an
exciting visual style that is defined, but never glossy. The movie is always
attention grabbing for its entire ninety-one minute running time.
Mr. Death certainly raises questions of free speech. Regardless how many Jews
disappeared from the planet, Zundel’s trial does raise questions that could
perhaps be relevant to other cases or situations. Queries also arise about
the accuracy of Fred’s research. Not only is seeing him illegally rummaging
through piles of rubble surrounding Holocaust ruins disrespectful, it is
downright frightening. In one interview the scientist who tested Leuchter’s
samples of walls and soil from Poland for traces of cyanide reveals he
probably did the tests wrong. Since cyanide only leaves traces about the size
of a tenth of a human hair, it is uncertain whether or not the negative
results are accurate. Looking into his eyes as he admits to probably
performing the wrong procedures is daunting. These scientific errors could
happen to you.
This is not an entirely great film, but certainly a unique one that looks at
death and persons who do not believe in the Holocaust with care and a sense
of fairness. This is a rare documentary because it examines both sides of the
issue. Take a journey with Fred A. Leuchter Jr. and you will be disturbed and
entertained in a way different to anything you’ve experienced before.
B+
Frankie Paiva
Swp...@aol.com
http://www.homestead.com/cinemaparadise/mainpage.html