Tigre Hill viewed this incident, the cold blooded murder of a Philadelphia Police Officer, with a blind eye toward race. He gathers FACTS as well as the opinions of those blinded by the rhetoric and shows the obvious distinctions. Speaking with those present on the scene and still clearly affected by the events of that cold night, Tigre allows the viewer to form their own opinion but this viewer finds it impossible to come to any conclusion other than the one a jury and numerous appellate courts already have. There is no "acting" in this film. It is pure documentary with actual footage from the news vaults taken at the time of the crime and the trials. Interviews are conducted around the country and even the world gathering opinions of those who have been vocal in the matter and historical background about the studies of Wesley Cook (a.k.a. Mumia Abu Jamal) which may have influenced his actions on the night in question.
9 Reviews
Outstanding
lbomb-1785126 April 2019
Filmmaker Tigre Hill tells the story of Philadelphia police officer Danny Faulkner's murder in a unbiased and fair fashion. He gave both sides a chance to tell their story. Anyone who views the film can only come to one conclusion. The man is guilty. The story and arguments are told without prejudice to either side. This is important because almost every other documentary tell the story leaning toward their opinion. An outstanding film that anyone who is familiar with the story needs to see.
One of the best documentaries I have ever seen
stonegroovejason31 July 2014
Due to IMDb's word count limitations I can only post an abridged version of my review. You can read my full review at http://r5- 4m.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-full-review-of-barrel-of-gun.html
Three viewings later I am still digesting the impact of this movie. It is brilliant on many levels. I want to give a thoughtful analysis though instead of just saying it is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen without explaining why.
On a purely technical film school level the production, narrative, and scene placement is excellent. The narrative flows very well. The soundtrack fits each scene perfectly and it doesn't overuse any music in a distracting way. There was absolutely not one second of the film that was boring. There was no pointless filler. As far as the running time it didn't feel too short or too long which is actually surprising because while watching it I really didn't want it to end. Its a little bit of a conundrum because it was like being presented a good meal with everything I would want. It wasn't missing anything and nothing was shorted. But it was just so good I wanted to come back for seconds.
The most important thing I can say about this documentary is that it deserves to exist. Many documentaries just rehash the basic facts without adding anything new to the documentary's subject matter. The Barrel of a Gun doesn't focus on rehashing the standard debating points about this case. It does go over the basic facts of the crime, as testified to in trial, but than shifts focus to providing a rich historical context to this case that has often been lost to those of us who didn't grow up in Philadelphia in the late 70's/early 80's. One doesn't need to come to this film with an in depth knowledge of the case to be able to understand the film.
Tigre Hill makes a solid case that Mumia's revolutionary activism, combined with his personal frustrations, led him to brutally murder Danny Faulkner. His research is intensive, his facts are sound and his journalistic integrity is flawless.
If one looks at the film objectively it becomes abundantly clear that Tigre Hill went out of his way to keep the film unbiased. Tigre interviewed subjects on both sides of the argument in a non confrontational way that allowed them to express their points of view. He didn't set anyone up to look foolish though a few ended up looking that way once they started talking.
Mumia's Supporters will try to argue that this film is dishonest and one sided because it doesn't indulge their imaginative perspectives on the facts of the case. This is extremely ironic because those words describe ALL of the Pro-Mumia documentaries. As it stands this film shows commentary from both sides equally while adhering strictly to proved facts. Unfortunately for Jamal the actual facts make it pretty clear that he is guilty.
Personally I think Tigre showed incredible restraint with some of his interviews. There were quite a few times that I wanted to smack some common sense into a few people's heads. There were a few questions that were left open-ended but that can only spark discussion which is a good thing.
Three viewings later I am still digesting the impact of this movie. It is brilliant on many levels. I want to give a thoughtful analysis though instead of just saying it is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen without explaining why.
On a purely technical film school level the production, narrative, and scene placement is excellent. The narrative flows very well. The soundtrack fits each scene perfectly and it doesn't overuse any music in a distracting way. There was absolutely not one second of the film that was boring. There was no pointless filler. As far as the running time it didn't feel too short or too long which is actually surprising because while watching it I really didn't want it to end. Its a little bit of a conundrum because it was like being presented a good meal with everything I would want. It wasn't missing anything and nothing was shorted. But it was just so good I wanted to come back for seconds.
The most important thing I can say about this documentary is that it deserves to exist. Many documentaries just rehash the basic facts without adding anything new to the documentary's subject matter. The Barrel of a Gun doesn't focus on rehashing the standard debating points about this case. It does go over the basic facts of the crime, as testified to in trial, but than shifts focus to providing a rich historical context to this case that has often been lost to those of us who didn't grow up in Philadelphia in the late 70's/early 80's. One doesn't need to come to this film with an in depth knowledge of the case to be able to understand the film.
Tigre Hill makes a solid case that Mumia's revolutionary activism, combined with his personal frustrations, led him to brutally murder Danny Faulkner. His research is intensive, his facts are sound and his journalistic integrity is flawless.
If one looks at the film objectively it becomes abundantly clear that Tigre Hill went out of his way to keep the film unbiased. Tigre interviewed subjects on both sides of the argument in a non confrontational way that allowed them to express their points of view. He didn't set anyone up to look foolish though a few ended up looking that way once they started talking.
Mumia's Supporters will try to argue that this film is dishonest and one sided because it doesn't indulge their imaginative perspectives on the facts of the case. This is extremely ironic because those words describe ALL of the Pro-Mumia documentaries. As it stands this film shows commentary from both sides equally while adhering strictly to proved facts. Unfortunately for Jamal the actual facts make it pretty clear that he is guilty.
Personally I think Tigre showed incredible restraint with some of his interviews. There were quite a few times that I wanted to smack some common sense into a few people's heads. There were a few questions that were left open-ended but that can only spark discussion which is a good thing.
Awesome Documentary
jmatt-986431 June 2019
I watched Barrel of the Gun and was amazed at the information learned about the Murder of officer Daniel Faulkner. Director Tigre Hill shows a great perspective on the different views that happen the night officer Faulkner was killed. I met Tiger Hill in a criminal justice class at the police academy one night. He is very intelligent. I enjoyed his movie and wish him great success with it.
Glad I Found This Documentary...
miapulp-13 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
... even if it took 13 years for me to become aware of its existence.
This is the film I've been hoping someone would make to dispel the myth of Mumia abu Jamal, Cop-Killer, (former) Death Row Inmate, One-Time Coulda Been Champion of the (journalism) World.
Many documentaries come at you with such a one-sided approach that the end result is that only the filmmaker's agenda is conveyed. Tigre Hill's film presents and juxtaposes the support and the dissent for the premise that Mumia abu Jamal was framed for murder. It's always seemed to me the opposite of a whodunnit and I've been troubled by the legions of supporters who've lobbied for his freedom (!) or a retrial. If Hill weren't a filmmaker, he'd have been a fantastic trial lawyer.
Although I'd read the trial transcripts and many contemporary articles about the killing of a largely forgotten victim, young Officer Daniel Faulkner, this film offers a broader context to the place in time when Mumia, for reasons unknown, found himself confronting a young cop at 3:55 am on 13th and Locust. I found the historic background on MOVE and the 1960s Black Panther movement enlightening. Having lived in Detroit in the late '60s and watched a local cadre of young Panthers in training outside my apartment window, I had a sliver of knowledge. My college pals were members of CSR (Committee for Student Rights) and in varying degrees trying to establish their bona fides as radicals. Their positions were too removed from any early philosophies I might've fully embraced, but their parties were much better than those at the fraternity houses.
Copious research artfully tied together, The Barrel of a Gun provides compelling interviews with those intimately involved in the case, the trial and the aftermath. The black and white police photos from the scene place you squarely at that Philadelphia intersection in the wee hours of that morning in 1981. Maybe it's just me, but the supporters like Pam Africa, the "real killer/or killers" Arnold Beverly who claims he killed Faulkner, anti-death penalty celebs and defense attorneys came across as either delusional or disingenuous. But hey, Hill gives them their voice to state a less than convincing version of events.
Should be required viewing for anyone who's spent the decades believing the Innocent Man lie. Hey, Mike Farrell and Danny Glover, have you seen The Barrel of a Gun? Too late for Ed Asner. Amnesty International, whose concise pamphlet in support of the imaginary innocent man theory would have gained insight had they watched. Likewise NYT's Nicholas "Never Heard of a Guilty Death Row Inmate" Kristof might learn a thing or two about crime solving if he opened his mind and watched. Billy Cook, Mumia's brother and the only other living eye witness to the crime, let's hope he's watched though if he did, he will go to his death bed sticking firmly to his vow of silence.
This is the film I've been hoping someone would make to dispel the myth of Mumia abu Jamal, Cop-Killer, (former) Death Row Inmate, One-Time Coulda Been Champion of the (journalism) World.
Many documentaries come at you with such a one-sided approach that the end result is that only the filmmaker's agenda is conveyed. Tigre Hill's film presents and juxtaposes the support and the dissent for the premise that Mumia abu Jamal was framed for murder. It's always seemed to me the opposite of a whodunnit and I've been troubled by the legions of supporters who've lobbied for his freedom (!) or a retrial. If Hill weren't a filmmaker, he'd have been a fantastic trial lawyer.
Although I'd read the trial transcripts and many contemporary articles about the killing of a largely forgotten victim, young Officer Daniel Faulkner, this film offers a broader context to the place in time when Mumia, for reasons unknown, found himself confronting a young cop at 3:55 am on 13th and Locust. I found the historic background on MOVE and the 1960s Black Panther movement enlightening. Having lived in Detroit in the late '60s and watched a local cadre of young Panthers in training outside my apartment window, I had a sliver of knowledge. My college pals were members of CSR (Committee for Student Rights) and in varying degrees trying to establish their bona fides as radicals. Their positions were too removed from any early philosophies I might've fully embraced, but their parties were much better than those at the fraternity houses.
Copious research artfully tied together, The Barrel of a Gun provides compelling interviews with those intimately involved in the case, the trial and the aftermath. The black and white police photos from the scene place you squarely at that Philadelphia intersection in the wee hours of that morning in 1981. Maybe it's just me, but the supporters like Pam Africa, the "real killer/or killers" Arnold Beverly who claims he killed Faulkner, anti-death penalty celebs and defense attorneys came across as either delusional or disingenuous. But hey, Hill gives them their voice to state a less than convincing version of events.
Should be required viewing for anyone who's spent the decades believing the Innocent Man lie. Hey, Mike Farrell and Danny Glover, have you seen The Barrel of a Gun? Too late for Ed Asner. Amnesty International, whose concise pamphlet in support of the imaginary innocent man theory would have gained insight had they watched. Likewise NYT's Nicholas "Never Heard of a Guilty Death Row Inmate" Kristof might learn a thing or two about crime solving if he opened his mind and watched. Billy Cook, Mumia's brother and the only other living eye witness to the crime, let's hope he's watched though if he did, he will go to his death bed sticking firmly to his vow of silence.
Fascinating film, sets the record straight
avery-929503 October 2019
Having grown up in Philadelphia, I remember the trial and appeals. I thought I knew and understood the details of this tragic murder. I was wrong. Mr. Hill's film digs deep into the event and it's background. I was able to see both sides and I'm convinced that the courts got it right. Anyone who feels the need to offer an opinion on this subject should first watch this film and become educated as to the facts, which are clearly presented by Mr. Hill.
BARREL OF A GUN REVIEW
samuelcocking23 March 2020
Excellent
dkosmalski25 April 2019
Excellent, unbiased documentary, even for those of us who lived through this period in Philadelphia history. I appreciate all of the details that I had long forgotten but especially how the documentary presents facts in the context of what was going on in the Philadelphia area at the time. This documentary is a must watch, especially for those of us concerned that Mr. Cook is being given yet another opportunity to present a case for overturning his conviction. The thirty five year story continues. Thanks for your comprehensive documentary, Mr. Hill.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
