Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger

2014 "The FBI thought they had him. It was the other way around."
6.7| 1h47m| R| en| More Info
Released: 18 January 2014 Released
Producted By: Magnolia Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

A documentary that captures the sensational trial of infamous gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger, using the legal proceedings as a springboard to explore allegations of corruption within the highest levels of law enforcement. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger examines Bulger's relationship with the FBI and Department of Justice that allowed him to reign over a criminal empire in Boston for decades.

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Reviews

Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Alicia I love this movie so much
AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.
Rexanne It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny
peter-eldon A crime documentary by Joe Berlinger (The Paradise Lost films) who enlightens the jaw dropping story of one of if not the worst criminals of Boston's history. About Irish mobster James "Whitey Bulger" who until recently never got charged for his violent criminal actions and the corrupt state of Boston including the Irish Mob, the Cosa Nostra, the FBI and the Boston State Police. A well made documentary with lots of information, sources and profiles that shows the odd and unfair world we live in. Only Osama Bin Laden was before James 'Whitey' Bulger on America's Most Wanted list. Was James "Whitey Bulger" an informant for the FBI and protected by them? / Peter A Eldon. 2014-11-11
runamokprods Interestingly, this focuses more on the crimes (or potential crimes) of law-enforcement, especially the FBI, than on the admitted crimes of terrorizing mob boss 'Whitey' Bulger. Bulger's trial is highly unusual, in that the defense is making no effort to say their client is innocent, and they know he'll spend his last days in prison (he's 83 at the time of the trial). The issue is really; instead of being an informant as claimed by the FBI and others, did Whitey really have them all on his payroll? Is the government more worried about cleaning their own dirty laundry without blame than in getting Whitey behind bars? And the larger moral question, even IF Bulger was an informant, was that really worth letting him run free, killing 19 people and raining fear on the residents of South Boston? There's no conclusive smoking gun of a conspiracy, but there sure is a ton of circumstantial evidence, and Berlinger gives a good job of presenting it in a building, cinematic fashion – starting with the simple fact that everyone knew Whitey ran the neighborhood for years and years, yet he was never once charged with anything. And then somehow he knew to run just before the authorities rounded up all the leadership of his gang, surviving as a fugitive for 16 years. Not as emotionally powerful as Berlinger's great "Brothers Keeper" and very strong "Paradise Lost", but always engaging on an intellectual and moral level.
vegaxterror Outstanding work, original directing, well researched, and pure subject matter. Although I do not agree with every insinuation in the film, it is none the less presented very well. The editing is the real star here which makes the court room dialog's a pleasure to watch. The interviews are personal and enthralling, you can actually feel the victim's emotions. For a long time there was not much information on this subject (for obvious reasons) and now we have several decent documentaries. If you are interested in Boston's organized crime legacy then this picture is a must see!I am glad Bulger was caught, and he got what he deserved. I hope this can bring piece of mind to many of the families of the victim's he affected. Watch to see what became of several of the Bulger associates I think you will be surprised to learn some of the deals that were cut after the trials!
David Ferguson Greetings again from the darkness. Definitely one of the best documentaries at this year's Dallas International Film Festival, this is one detailed and informative expose' that focuses not just on bad guy Whitey Bulger, but a seemingly corrupt system that allowed him to maintain his power.Joe Berlinger is an award-winning and very prolific documentarian, and he certainly goes all in here with an overwhelming amount of information, detail and speculation. The film begins with the 2011 arrest of Whitey Bulger after 16 years on the lam. We then explore the trial, as well as the background of Bulger's 30 years of power in South Boston (after his release from Alcatraz).The interviews are fascinating. We get first person responses from attorneys, thugs from the Bulger syndicate, as well as many of the victim's family members ... some still so desperate for justice after decades of pain.The Bulger defense team claimed immunity due to his status as an FBI informant. Of course, this claim opens up the real intrigue here ... how deep did the corruption go with local law enforcement, the FBI and the judicial system? Was Bulger empowered by those who should have been protecting the citizens and pursuing him? Many questions are asked, and the likely answers do not quell conspiracy theorists.While some documentaries seem a bit thin as they stretch material, Mr. Berlinger's approach is to supply much information, many details, and an endless stream of interviews ... all to force us to wonder if Whitey Bulger's reign of southie crime was permitted, even encouraged, by those we thought were the good guys.