Midnight in Savannah (1997)

Director: ???

Writer: ???

Composer: 615 Music Productions, Inc.

Starring: Peter Haskell, John Berendt, Lady Chablis, Emma Kelly, Brett Moses

More info: IMDb


Plot:  Documents the true story of the infamous murder case that rocked the high-society of Savannah, Georgia, and became the backdrop for the best-selling book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt. Jim William, a self-made millionaire antique dealer and noted party-giver, was convicted of shooting and killing a 21-year-old street hustler named Danny Hansford, with whom he had a homosexual relationship. The murder took place in William's mansion, Mercer House, in the heart of Savannah. William claimed he fired in self defense and, after an appeal and a mistrial, was acquitted after a fourth trial. Within weeks of the acquittal, he was found dead at home, in the room where the shooting had taken place.

My rating:  7.5/10

Will I watch it again?  Nah.

This feature length documentary (clocking in at about an hour and forty minutes) focuses on the Georgia town of Savannah, the locals and the goings on with Jim Williams, the focus of the book and film, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF EVIL (1997).  It's a great, well-rounded view of what it's like to live there and the people and things you're likely to encounter.  You might be disappointed if you watch this only for the details of the crime and trial but you shouldn't be.  Getting a good look at Williams's surroundings and the circumstances help fill out the whole picture.  It's a great companion piece to the Clint Eastwood movie (which I just finished watching earlier today).  I'd say watch the film first and then the documentary but it probably doesn't matter much.  The film is a lot closer to the truth than I thought.  Good stuff, this one.   Now I REALLY want to visit Savannah.