O.J.: Made in America

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC , ESPN
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 11, 2016
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 179 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 150 out of 179
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 179
  3. Negative: 22 out of 179
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User Reviews

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  1. EPMD
    Jun 26, 2016
    9
    Comprehensive and fair. I wonder if we'll ever get past the two wrongs make a right mentality that dominated so many events covered in this documentary.
  2. BlatantBlack
    Jun 19, 2016
    10
    i signed up for this site today just to write this. pay no attention to the few bad user reviews. if you notice nearly every critic's review kinda dances around the same idea, "this might be the best documentary about anything ever." and that idea is certainly not wrong.
  3. John935
    Nov 18, 2016
    7
    I only watched first 2 episodes of O.J.: Made in America (disc 1), certainly a well-made documentary. My main criticism is the nearly 8 hour length. It could easily be cut to 4 or 5 hours and be just as good if not better. For example, episode 2 veers into the Rodney King case which was obviously important but the digression goes on a bit much. Also some extended shots of football gamesI only watched first 2 episodes of O.J.: Made in America (disc 1), certainly a well-made documentary. My main criticism is the nearly 8 hour length. It could easily be cut to 4 or 5 hours and be just as good if not better. For example, episode 2 veers into the Rodney King case which was obviously important but the digression goes on a bit much. Also some extended shots of football games will be a little annoying to non-fans. However, aside from length issue, this is a thoughtful and reasonably objective analysis of a fascinating case. The context was well worth examining. There just may be more of it than one needs.… Expand
  4. Prosmooth
    Jun 16, 2016
    10
    I don't know if there is such as a thing as a Golden Age of documentaries--but if there was, I think we are living in it. This is the latest example of a documentary filmmaker at the top of his game. Made in America goes to the top of the best of all time lists, reaching even the heights of classic documentaries like Ken Burns' The Civil War.
  5. FleshWorld
    Jun 23, 2016
    7
    It's a very good documentary - I'm up to the final 2 hours, and it's just painful to see how duped that jury was. Sure, the prosecutors were sloppy in their evidence gathering. Learning that Fuhrman had racism in has past screwed them. But you don't take a clear double-murderer, put him on the street with joy, and make him Jackie Robinson, or Emmit Till, - the face of historical injusticeIt's a very good documentary - I'm up to the final 2 hours, and it's just painful to see how duped that jury was. Sure, the prosecutors were sloppy in their evidence gathering. Learning that Fuhrman had racism in has past screwed them. But you don't take a clear double-murderer, put him on the street with joy, and make him Jackie Robinson, or Emmit Till, - the face of historical injustice against blacks. Sure, you want to fire back at the LAPD for the Rodney King miscarriage of justice, but by freeing a psychopath? The jubilation in the streets was more than a little disturbing. There are SO many black Americans, tens of thousands of individuals, who have been screwed over by cops, employers, the system - so many people who could have been a better face of the movement. I just find it unfortunate that OJ Simpson became that figurehead at that time. The documentarians brought that out to an extent, but they could have put a finer point on it. I'm glad they asked Barry Scheck the tough questions - he'll be tagged with his behavior for the rest of his life. And highlighting the inappropriateness of Cochran's tagging arresting officers with the Hitler label in his summation was crucial - glad that was addressed. Bottom line - there are far better, far more deserving defendants to champion in this very unfair and biased criminal justice system.… Expand
  6. darkyoga
    Jun 15, 2016
    10
    Brilliant! Sets the background for the case with historical context of the LAPD's treatment of African Americans while detailing OJ's rise to fame and marriage to Nicole. This doc is so amazing because not only does it provide informational context for the trial but it actually makes you feel the historical context. Simply amazing!
  7. ThatManTherian
    Jun 15, 2016
    10
    Ezra Edelman does a phenomenal job of taking the "OJ story" that's been told countless times, and intertwining it with some very important historical events that helped influence strong emotions over the course of the trial. It's surprisingly refreshing to know that there's very little filler at any point, as certain people and/or actions that seem minimal in an early part of the seriesEzra Edelman does a phenomenal job of taking the "OJ story" that's been told countless times, and intertwining it with some very important historical events that helped influence strong emotions over the course of the trial. It's surprisingly refreshing to know that there's very little filler at any point, as certain people and/or actions that seem minimal in an early part of the series prove to be very vital later on. Being in my late 20s, it was also great that I was able to see and understand who this man was long before he met Nicole, as well as seeing how his actions and in some cases, lack there of, ultimately became his demise. A well documentation of how OJ truly is a product of American society. Nothing short of a masterpiece!… Expand
  8. shoulderoforion
    Jun 13, 2016
    8
    After watching the first installment last night, I'll definitely be tuning in for the rest, it's an exhaustive look at OJ, LA & USA which was an easy watch, though not as compelling as The People vs. OJ Simpson : American Crime Story , yet
  9. JohnMcQ
    Jun 13, 2016
    10
    A brilliant and compelling series. This is the perfect addition, if not better, to the FX American Crime Story series. A must watch for film and TV lovers.
  10. helloloser
    Jun 18, 2016
    7
    Wow...forget black verses white...majority blacks know he's guilty. ..but like any race who starts to look and smell funky. ..they back each other up.....HE'S AS GUILTY AS CRAP....And that's how he came out to be CRAP. ...HE HAS to live with cuttng her throat....and stabbing to death that young man that jusf happened to be there while he was butchering Nicole. ....he knows and so doesWow...forget black verses white...majority blacks know he's guilty. ..but like any race who starts to look and smell funky. ..they back each other up.....HE'S AS GUILTY AS CRAP....And that's how he came out to be CRAP. ...HE HAS to live with cuttng her throat....and stabbing to death that young man that jusf happened to be there while he was butchering Nicole. ....he knows and so does God....he is fake!...like those that believe him...dumbis as dumb does ...LEAVE RACISM OUT OF MURDER IN THE 1ST DEGREE....MANY WHITES KIlled whites and went to prison. ...many blacks killed whites and went to jail. ....many whites killed blacks and went to jail....blacks kill each other every day like whites do....but it's not on TV....stop making this what it isn't. ....OJ IS A MURDERER. ..poor Nicole when she felt that knife he used against her....and Ron who fought hard to live....OJ YOU ARE A MURDERER ...and every Race knows it....that's why you're in prison now ****… Expand
  11. DBagels
    Jul 22, 2016
    5
    Very high quality work to be sure. However, it is frightening that we live in an age where individualism is vilified when not in service of the herd. O.J. chose a different path that was/is just as valid as the angry dissident. Justice and change do not come in only one size. O.J. served as the model of one who chose to show that it is possible for a person in a racist (or any ideologicalVery high quality work to be sure. However, it is frightening that we live in an age where individualism is vilified when not in service of the herd. O.J. chose a different path that was/is just as valid as the angry dissident. Justice and change do not come in only one size. O.J. served as the model of one who chose to show that it is possible for a person in a racist (or any ideological myopic) culture to find a way in. Sans his later failures, good for him. Self righteousness often, sadly, trumps the beneficial message of this documentary.… Expand
  12. vgmkyle
    Jun 13, 2016
    2
    As long as it has OJ's name on it; I guess it gets a high review no matter what. Honestly, this really isn't worth looking into if you are familiar at all with this tiresome and frivolous case.
  13. cinema
    Apr 7, 2017
    10
    if at the end of The Documentary Some Body told me this was not a true story i didn't be sad because i just watched a great film with a Great screenplay and of course Great Directing. and this fact that it's a true story just make it perfecter. I love it
  14. DirigiblePulp
    May 21, 2017
    8
    The whole bloody affair: A powerful, moving, thoroughly exhaustive document of not just O.J. Simpson's life and the trial that defined him, but also the world around him that helped to build to the trial of the century and beyond. This film, like the trial it is mostly about, tackles so much more than just whodunit - the context is everything. Race riots, the justice system, celebrity -The whole bloody affair: A powerful, moving, thoroughly exhaustive document of not just O.J. Simpson's life and the trial that defined him, but also the world around him that helped to build to the trial of the century and beyond. This film, like the trial it is mostly about, tackles so much more than just whodunit - the context is everything. Race riots, the justice system, celebrity - this is America baby, too unreal to be fiction. There's a lot here, probably too much, but this is a great, utterly absorbing work.… Expand
  15. BShaps
    Jul 8, 2016
    10
    The documentary was incredible. Ignore vgmkyle's review because it is obvious from what he said that he didn't watch it at all. Only 1 out of the 5 episodes covers the case in detail, the rest is about OJ's rise to fame, his attitude toward black issues of the time, the events that created an environment where the black community was suspicious of the LA police, and also what happenedThe documentary was incredible. Ignore vgmkyle's review because it is obvious from what he said that he didn't watch it at all. Only 1 out of the 5 episodes covers the case in detail, the rest is about OJ's rise to fame, his attitude toward black issues of the time, the events that created an environment where the black community was suspicious of the LA police, and also what happened with OJ after the case was over. Even if you've watched every other documentary on the case, you're sure to learn a ton of new information that is presented in a really interesting way. It's also great to see the actual people involved in the case reflecting on it.… Expand
  16. NJMC_
    May 11, 2017
    10
    There have been quite a few documentaries on the O.J. Simpson case. This was quite a different experience for me. The film does a great job contrasting between the life of O.J. and what is going on in the world during the course of his life. There is some time spent away from O.J. to illuminate what is happening in the country. Probably going to watch it again.
  17. Anderhole
    Jul 4, 2016
    9
    If you missed how the Watts riots connected to O.J. Simpson's verdict in his murder trial and wonder why he walked, O.J. Made in America is here for you. This is a solid doc and probably the first piece of media relating to O.J. that's not a complete waste of time.
  18. nitetrainViking
    Jul 20, 2016
    10
    Excellent fact checking with true events from history. Even though some parts were difficult to get through, the show as a whole is well worth watching. I only wish there was more of O.J.'s capture from the Las Vegas events, his trial and deserved imprisonment.
  19. geewah
    Jan 23, 2021
    10
    One of the best docu-series made in recent years.
    This is an in depth and compelling look at the life of O.J. Simpson and the events that led to his murder trial in 1995.
    Must see.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best TV Season of 2016
66
#66 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
48
#48 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Jun 16, 2016
    100
    O.J.: Made in America might be the most essential TV series of the year.
    Read full review
  2. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: David Sims
    Jun 16, 2016
    100
    O.J.: Made in America is somehow even more engrossing than its fictionalized counterpart, meticulously fleshing out not only the details of the trial, but also the larger stories of race, celebrity, and misogyny that intersected around Simpson. ... Some of the most compelling television of the year.
    Read full review
  3. Time
    Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Jun 10, 2016
    80
    OJ is no rehash. FX's brilliant The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story hewed to the criminal trial, beginning with a murder and ending with a verdict. O.J. offers great insight into the case. ... But this is less a crime story than a character study of a man who craved attention and found more than he ever imagined. ... Simpson comes across, ultimately, as a cipher.
    Read full review
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