Filmmaker Peter Miller explores the crimes, trial, and execution of notorious 20th-century anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti in a documentary that highlights just how this landmark case came to symbolize the injustice and intolerance experienced by immigrants longing to pursue their dreams in the land of the free. It was 1920 when Italian immigrant anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti were accused of murder in Massachusetts.

Seven years later, when the jurors delivered their final verdict in a notoriously prejudiced trial, both men were condemned to death despite massive protests both in the U.S. and abroad. Eight decades later, as America continues to wrestle with issues of civil rights, immigrant liberties, and dissent, the case of Sacco and Vanzetti continues to resonate.

In addition to balancing the personal and political aspects of the case as well as looking into the legal climate of the era, Miller’s film brings the prison writings of Sacco and Vanzetti to life as never before as Tony Shalhoub and John Turturro read the deeply personal letters written by the pair during their ordeal. Additional music, artwork, poetry, and film clips inspired by the case propel the narrative by highlighting just what a lasting impression the Sacco and Vanzetti case has had on American culture. (Barnes & Noble)

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SACCO AND VANZETTI brings to life the story of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, two Italian immigrant anarchists who were accused of a murder in 1920, and executed in Boston in 1927 after a notoriously prejudiced trial. The ordeal of Sacco and Vanzetti came to symbolize the bigotry and intolerance directed at immigrants and dissenters in America.

Millions of people around the world protested on their behalf, and now, 80 years later, their story continues to have great resonance, as civil liberties and the rights of immigrants are again under attack. Powerful prison writings (given voice by acclaimed actors John Turturro and Tony Shalhoub) and passionate interviews with the likes of Howard Zinn, Arlo Guthrie and Studs Terkel are interwoven with artwork, music, and film clips.

Through the story of Sacco and Vanzetti audiences will experience a universal - and very timely - tale. There is no mystery at all about why these two guys were executed - they were guilty as all get out. To bring out some modern-day nonsense about illegal aliens not being coddled is silly and has nothing to do with a film about the 1920s. I do not need to know someone’s political views while reading a review. (Amazon)