Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Name: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Genre: Biography, Drama, Crime, Documentary
Released: October 31, 2008
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Bob Bagby, David Bagby, Dr. Andrew Bagby, Dr. Heather Arnold, Dr. Shirley Turner

2008

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 11 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 76 Ratings

See All

8.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.4	Your Score
8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 76 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father

Now Playing: Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father

Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope Pictures | Release Date: October 31, 2008 | Not Rated

Starring: Bob Bagby, David Bagby, Dr. Andrew Bagby, Dr. Heather Arnold, Dr. Shirley Turner, Earlene Bagby, Jon Atkinson, Kathleen Bagby, Kurt Kuenne, Zachary Andrew Turner

Summary: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a uniquely intense and personal documentary about the murder of Kurt’s oldest friend and the unbelievable legal and emotional madness that ensued. [Oscilloscope Pictures]

Director: Kurt Kuenne

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Crime, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 95 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Premiere Jenni Miller

Masterfully put together. Read full review

Robert Abele

An undeniably shattering story, if forgivably shaky in its impassioned, therapeutic unfolding. Read full review

David Edelstein

Among the most enraging (documentaries) I've ever seen, and while it's fine and heartfelt and I commend it to those of you with strong constitutions, it is the film that has finally broken me. Read full review

Stephen Holden

It is impossible not to be fired up by Kurt Kuenne's incendiary cri de coeur, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. Read full review

Martin Tsai

Kuenne lovingly assembles home-movie footage and new interviews, while deftly borrowing a narrative trick from fiction--the plot twist--to create a true-crime story so gripping, devastating, and ultimately unforgettable that it easily trumps any thriller Hollywood has to offer this year. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Without becoming a screed for victims' rights, the riveting film shows how in the face of terrible events a grieving parent is galvanized into activism. Read full review

Peter Debruge

The way Kuenne presents the material, with an aggressive style that lingers less than a second on most shots, it's impossible not to feel emotionally exhausted. Read full review

SEE ALL 11 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

emilymarieestes

Jan 15, 2014

This movie...it should come with a warning. What can I say? I was deeply moved by this film but at the same time I was extremely disturbed. I have never before written a review for a movie, but even 3 hours after finishing this documentary...I cant move on. I cried like I have never criedThis movie...it should come with a warning. What can I say? I was deeply moved by this film but at the same time I was extremely disturbed. I have never before written a review for a movie, but even 3 hours after finishing this documentary...I cant move on. I cried like I have never cried before. And this film made me feel things that i have never experienced with a movie. I felt mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted after completing it. With all of this being said, it is just absolutely spectacular. It will change you, at least for the rest of your day. I have a feeling I wont be the same for the rest of the week....at least. THE SADDEST AND MOST MOVING FILMS I HAVE EVER SEEN.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

ckary

Apr 25, 2012

A very engrossing, spine tingling film. It's definitely not an easy watch, as the film changes gear more than most professional race car drivers, but to that point, it may be just as thrilling. To add to that, the subject matter is unsettling. However, Keunne captures a nearly unbelievableA very engrossing, spine tingling film. It's definitely not an easy watch, as the film changes gear more than most professional race car drivers, but to that point, it may be just as thrilling. To add to that, the subject matter is unsettling. However, Keunne captures a nearly unbelievable story in a way that makes it nearly impossible to look away. It can be a bit too much to handle at times, and by the end of the film you will be emotionally exasperated, but maybe Keunne made the film this way so that viewers would feel the pain of the tumultuous story vicariously through his storytelling. It won't appeal to all, but those who can get everything out of it that was put into it will be thinking about it for some time to come.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SamJ

Nov 18, 2008

Dan, you are a complete asshole. This is one of the greatest documentaries ever made!!! SHATTERING!!!!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ljbdan

Jul 28, 2016

This film will send shivers down your spine & emotionally exhausting. It not only talks about one aspect of life... it talks about life as a whole itself.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JayH

Feb 19, 2009

It is impossible not to be moved by this documentary. It's very well edited and the footage used is outstanding. Thorough and detailed. An incredible story that you will not soon forget.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

hanneguacamole

Jan 15, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I can never say "sorry" enough for the insurmountable tragedy faced by David and Kathleen Bagby and their friends and family. I do not believe this was meant to be a movie about tragedy, yet that's what it became, through absolutely no fault of the filmmaker. The story became what it needed to be; to tell Andrew's story and to prevent Zachary's from ever repeating itself again.

I really enjoyed the care Kurt put into recording Andrew's memories and his life while noting that it certainly wasn't perfect, and leading us to the road of his untimely death. While tragic, Dear Zachary conveyed sadness and grief while telling his story concurrently. The anger over the system was palpable, and while the legal proceedings were the driest aspect of the film, they seemed to serve as a way for those affected to cope with their loss. To tell Zachary about a person whom he never knew, and for Zachary, a person most of the world never got to know.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DylanL

Jul 25, 2009

The story here needed to be told: it is tragic and saddening. The storytelling is simply the worst I have experienced in years. Why this guy thought he had to create this pathetic atmosphere with the editing and music and the questions he asked is beyond comprehension. At moments where the The story here needed to be told: it is tragic and saddening. The storytelling is simply the worst I have experienced in years. Why this guy thought he had to create this pathetic atmosphere with the editing and music and the questions he asked is beyond comprehension. At moments where the story is genuinely shocking and you need some time to reflect on the enormity of what has happened this director is making a collage of soppy pictures in embarrassing sequence with terrible fake music and at one point trying to make his crap editing evoke rage when everyone needs a moment to take in something quite incredibly shocking. A very important story, ruined. Read the book by the Mr Bagsby instead.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 26 REVIEWS