The Thin Blue Line

The Thin Blue Line

Erases the border between art and activism.

1988 · 103 min · ★ 7.7 · Crime, Documentary

An unorthodox investigation into the wrongful conviction of Randall Dale Adams for the 1976 murder of Dallas police officer Robert Wood. Using stylized reenactments and interviews with key figures, conflicting testimonies and evidence are presented to argue that Adams was framed by a corrupt justice system, ultimately leading to his exoneration.

Directed by Errol Morris · Written by Errol Morris

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

PhiloAMC Plus Apple TV channelAMC+ Amazon ChannelAMC+ Roku Premium ChannelAMC+Criterion ChannelSundance Now

Rent or Buy

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At Home

Cast

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

3h 17m together

The Thin Blue Line

Bride of the Orient

Both from Errol Morris.

More from Errol MorrisSee all →

Nina & IrenaNina & Irena · 2023
Nina & Irena
10.02023
Movie
On the verge of her 90th birthday, a grandmother reveals to her grandson the painful story of her sister's disappearance during the Holocaust and the survivor's guilt she carries.
Bride of the OrientBride of the Orient · 1989
Bride of the Orient
9.51989
MovieDramaRomance
After the death of his mother, a lonely farmer in rural Switzerland considers finally starting a family of his own. Eventually he pays for a bride from Thailand. The couple don't share a language, but being to know each other. However the village neighbors are suspicious of foreigners.
First PersonFirst Person · 2000
First Person
8.32000
SeriesDocumentaryNews
First Person was an American TV series produced and directed by Errol Morris. The show engaged a varied group of individuals from civil advocates to criminals. Interviews were conducted with "The Interrotron", a device similar to a teleprompter: Errol and his subject each sit facing a camera. The image of each person's face is then projected onto a two-way mirror positioned in front of the lens of the other's camera. Instead of looking at a blank lens, then, both Morris and his subject are looking directly at a human face. Morris believes that the machine encourages monologue in the interview process, while also encouraging the interviewees to "express themselves to camera".
The Look of SilenceThe Look of Silence · 2014
The Look of Silence
7.82014
MovieHistoryDocumentary
An Indonesian man with a communist background named Ramli was brutally murdered when the "Communist" purge occurred in 1965. His remaining family members lived in fear and silence until the making of this documentary. Adi, a brother of his, decided to revisit the horrific incident and visited the men who were responsible for the killings and one survivor of the purge. These meetings uncovered sadistic details of the murders and exposed raw emotions and reactions of the killers' family members about what happened in the past - much to Adi's disappointment.
The Fog of WarThe Fog of War · 2003
The Fog of War
7.72003
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
Using archival footage, cabinet conversation recordings, and an interview of the 85-year-old Robert McNamara, The Fog of War depicts his life, from working as a WWII whiz-kid military officer, to being the Ford Motor Company's president, to managing the Vietnam War as defense secretary for presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
The Act of KillingThe Act of Killing · 2012
The Act of Killing
7.72012
MovieDocumentaryHistory
In this chilling and groundbreaking documentary, former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass killings in the style of various film genres. As they recreate their past atrocities, the line between reality and performance blurs, exposing the lingering impact of Indonesia's 1965-66 anti-communist purge and the unsettling psychology of its perpetrators.
A Brief History of TimeA Brief History of Time · 1991
A Brief History of Time
7.21991
MovieDocumentary
This shows physicist Stephen Hawking's life as he deals with the ALS that renders him immobile and unable to speak without the use of a computer. Hawking's friends, family, classmates, and peers are interviewed not only about his theories but the man himself.
The LureThe Lure · 2016
The Lure
7.22016
MovieDocumentary
An eccentric millionaire hides $3 million of gold somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, luring thousands out on a wild treasure hunt in search of riches and redemption.
Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. · 1999
Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.
7.01999
MovieDocumentary
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. Leuchter, 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, Leuchter's problems begin.
WormwoodWormwood · 2017
Wormwood
6.92017
MovieDocumentaryDrama
In this genre-bending tale, Errol Morris explores the mysterious death of a U.S. scientist entangled in a secret Cold War program known as MK-Ultra.
Point of ViewPoint of View · 1988
Point of View
6.91988
SeriesDocumentary
Since its 1988 premiere, this critically acclaimed documentary series has presented hundreds of films that put a human face on contemporary social issues by relating a compelling story in an intimate fashion. "POV" has won virtually every major film and broadcasting award available, including 38 Emmys, 22 Peabody Awards and three Oscars.
Vernon, FloridaVernon, Florida · 1981
Vernon, Florida
6.81981
MovieDocumentary
Early Errol Morris documentary intersplices random chatter he captured on film of the genuinely eccentric residents of Vernon, Florida. A few examples? The preacher giving a sermon on the definition of the word "Therefore," and the obsessive turkey hunter who speaks reverentially of the "gobblers" he likes to track down and kill.
The Unknown KnownThe Unknown Known · 2013
The Unknown Known
6.82013
MovieDocumentaryHistory
Former United States Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, discusses his career in Washington D.C. from his days as a congressman in the early 1960s to planning the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Fast, Cheap & Out of ControlFast, Cheap & Out of Control · 1997
Fast, Cheap & Out of Control
6.81997
MovieDocumentary
Errol Morris’s Fast, Cheap & Out of Control interweaves the stories of four men, each driven to create eccentric worlds from their unique obsessions, all of which involve animals. There’s a lion tamer who shares his theories on the mental processes of wild animals; a topiary gardener who has devoted a lifetime to shaping bears and giraffes out of hedges and trees; a man fascinated with hairless mole rats; and an MIT scientist who has designed complex, autonomous robots that can crawl like bugs.
Standard Operating ProcedureStandard Operating Procedure · 2008
Standard Operating Procedure
6.82008
MovieDocumentaryWar
Errol Morris examines the incidents of abuse and torture of suspected terrorists at the hands of U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison.
Gates of HeavenGates of Heaven · 1978
Gates of Heaven
6.81978
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about a pet cemetery in California, and the people who have pets buried there.

More Like This

HollywoodlandHollywoodland · 2006
Hollywoodland
6.12006
MovieCrimeDrama
When Hollywood superstar George Reeves dies in his home, private detective Louis Simo is hired to investigate his death and gets caught in a web of lies involving a big studio executive's wife. Based on a true story.
Torrente: The Dumb Arm of the LawTorrente: The Dumb Arm of the Law · 1998
Torrente: The Dumb Arm of the Law
6.51998
MovieComedyCrime
A former policeman enlists his nerdy friend to help bust drug traffickers moving heroin through a Chinese restaurant.
GreedGreed · 1924
Greed
7.31924
MovieDramaCrime
When housewife Trina wins the lottery, her comfortable life with her dentist husband John slowly deteriorates, in part by her own increasing paranoia and partly by the machinations of villainous acquaintance Marcus.
Perfume: The Story of a MurdererPerfume: The Story of a Murderer · 2006
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
7.42006
MovieCrimeFantasy
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in the stench of 18th century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. However, his work takes a dark turn as he tries to preserve scents in the search for the ultimate perfume.
TarnationTarnation · 2003
Tarnation
6.82003
MovieDocumentaryDrama
Filmmaker Jonathan Caouette's documentary on growing up with his schizophrenic mother -- a mixture of snapshots, Super-8, answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, and more -- culled from 19 years of his life.
The Big SleepThe Big Sleep · 1946
The Big Sleep
7.61946
MovieMysteryCrime
Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.
The Maltese FalconThe Maltese Falcon · 1941
The Maltese Falcon
7.71941
MovieMysteryCrime
A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.
Dirty HarryDirty Harry · 1971
Dirty Harry
7.51971
MovieActionCrime
When a madman dubbed 'Scorpio' terrorizes San Francisco, hard-nosed cop, Harry Callahan – famous for his take-no-prisoners approach to law enforcement – is tasked with hunting down the psychopath.
Sweet SixteenSweet Sixteen · 2002
Sweet Sixteen
7.02002
MovieCrimeDrama
Determined to have a normal family life once his mother gets out of prison, a Scottish teenager from a tough background sets out to raise the money for a home.
Double IndemnityDouble Indemnity · 1944
Double Indemnity
8.11944
MovieCrimeThriller
An insurance representative is seduced by a dissatisfied housewife into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, a claims investigator.
Arlington RoadArlington Road · 1999
Arlington Road
7.01999
MovieCrimeDrama
Bedraggled college professor Michael Faraday has been vexed — and increasingly paranoid — since his wife's accidental death in a botched FBI operation. When a seemingly all-American couple set up house next door, Michael begins to suspect there’s more to them than meets the eye.
Se7enSe7en · 1995
Se7en
8.41995
MovieCrimeMystery
Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Somerset researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer's mind, while his novice partner, Mills, scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.
It Happened in Broad DaylightIt Happened in Broad Daylight · 1958
It Happened in Broad Daylight
7.41958
MovieCrimeThriller
The search for a child murderer drags a once-respected detective into an all-consuming obsession.
TsotsiTsotsi · 2005
Tsotsi
6.92005
MovieCrimeDrama
A young South African boy from the Johannesburg ghetto named Tsotsi, meaning Gangster, leaves home as a child to get away from his helpless parents. Now a teenage thug, Tsotsi finds a baby in the back seat of a car he's just stolen. He decides that it is his responsibility to care for the infant and in the process learns that maybe the criminal life isn’t the best way.
Blue VelvetBlue Velvet · 1986
Blue Velvet
7.61986
MovieMysteryThriller
The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.
SleepersSleepers · 1996
Sleepers
7.61996
MovieCrimeDrama
Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.
HeatHeat · 1995
Heat
7.91995
MovieCrimeDrama
Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter