Jasper, Texas
by Jeffrey W. Byrd
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DVD details
Actor: Demore Barnes, James Bearden, John Bayliss, Roy T. Anderson, Samantha BeeDirector: Jeffrey W. Byrd
Brand: Paramount
Cinematographer: Ousama Rawi
Editor: Jeffrey Cooper
Producer: Jonathan Estrin
Writer: Jonathan Estrin
Producer: Michael Greene
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: DVD, NTSC
Running Time: 114 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-02-03
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Showtime Ent.
DVD Reviews of Jasper, Texas
DVD Review: Made-for-cable depiction of a real hate crime
Summary: 4 Stars
In 1998, three white men picked up James Byrd, Jr., an African American. After beating him and stripping him naked, they chained him to the back of their pickup and dragged his naked body across country ground for approximately three miles. While the defendants claim that Byrd was already dead, forensic evidence disputes this claim. All three men were found guilty of murder in the first degree. Two of the three defendants, John King and Lawrence Russell Brewer, were sentenced to death though both remain on Texas's Death Row. Shawn Allen Berry, the youngest of the three, was only sentenced to life in prison.
The film begins with the Sheriff being called out to the scene and only shows the crime itself in flashbacks. The drama here is more about race relations in the town, the relationship between the white Sheriff and African American mayor, and the trial itself. While details are loosely based on the case, this depiction does not reach documentary quality.
The acting was stellar. Showtime did an excellent job picking Voight as Sheriff and Gossett as the mayor. These two men came off as very real and could almost lose you in the story. If you can handle the brutality and the sheer pain of the situation, Jasper, Texas is definitely worth watching.
Rebecca Kyle, September 2009
DVD Review: A disturbing but necessary movie that had to be made.
Summary: 5 Stars
I rented this movie when it first hit the video stores & later wound up purchasing a copy on DVD. It was sickening to watch the scene where James Byrd gets dragged to death by the three racist, young white men. I own a book on the tragedy & the book goes into much greater detail regarding the events which led up to the brutal murder. John King, the ringleader, is believed to have been sexually assaulted by a group of blacks in prison & this supposedly made him a bonafide racist. If that's true it doesn't justify in any way what he did to Mr. Byrd, who was just a random victim. I was jumped by four blacks in 1980 when I was 14 (I'm caucasian) & it was definitely racially motivated. For a number of years afterward I had racist feelings but have long since gotten over them. Racism is WRONG & simply cannot be tolerated. Racism must be fought wherever it is encountered because we are all human beings and all equal in the eyes of God. We should focus on our similarities & not on our differences. The KKK is not nearly as strong as it once was & is fading fast. Getting back to the movie, I thought it was good that they showed many blacks & whites trying to bridge their differences (especially the church communities). When the KKK & Black Panthers came to Jasper to start trouble, the town (blacks & whites) stood up to both groups. It was satisfying to watch those three scumbags get what they deserved. Two got the death penalty & the third got life without parole, I believe. Hopefully this will send a clear message to bigots everywhere that this isn't the 19th century anymore & if they commit these violent, hate crimes they will forfeit their own lives. May James Byrd rest in peace.DVD Review: Its hard to say how I really felt
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a movie that will most likely illiciate mixed feelings on both sides of cultures. Although there will always be hate crimes, that doesn't make it right still. But also there is the fact that whites also have racism remarks made against them. Its the same way with every nation and every race, one shouldn't feel as though its just them and their seperate culture under attack.
Jasper Texas is a movie that is full of anger, despair and hate that for centuries has boiled and simmered without being taken care of or tried resolve. Even in this day and age it is a delicate topic and often will have cold shoulders because of it.
This is a gruesome movie, that shows several pictures and scenes that where supposed to happen, people with delicate stomaches probally will be ill-advised to watch this.
If you like historical movies or ones based on true events, this wouldn't be a bad choice to watch. Otherwise......
DVD Review: Another great Showtime movie
Summary: 4 Stars
The movie is hard to watch at some times, but the movie is a great movie. The actors are top notch. This isnt a made-for-tv movie. It's more like a really good Hollywood movie.DVD Review: working through this tragedy
Summary: 1 Stars
I worked for the sheriffs office when this happen and this movie in no way depicts what really happened in Jasper. sure the sheriff and the mayor were a big part but, then so were all the officers and the police chief and the Byrd family. This movie is a disgrace to the people of Jasper.
Description of Jasper, Texas
This extraordinary true drama, set in the small town of Jasper, TX in 1998, explores the aftermath of the horrible death of James Byrd, Jr., the African- American who was dragged to his death by three white men. An outraged nation watched as the white sheriff, played convincingly by Jon Voight, and the first black mayor of Jasper, played by Louis Gossett, Jr. struggle to maintain control of their town and their personal emotions. Jasper, Texas is a shocking reminder of the racial tension that still exists today.African American Cinema DVDs
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