X
- 2023
- Apple TV+
- 2023
- Apple TV+
Summary The three-part documentary series about John Lennon's murder is narrated by Kiefer Sutherland with interviews with detectives and witnesses as well as audio recordings of Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman.
- 2023
- Apple TV+
- 2023
- Apple TV+
John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial
Season 1 Premiere: Dec 6, 2023
67
7.2
Summary The three-part documentary series about John Lennon's murder is narrated by Kiefer Sutherland with interviews with detectives and witnesses as well as audio recordings of Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman.
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
67
57% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
43% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
67
57% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
43% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Holt’s efficient and sober film draws a vivid snapshot of the killing, which put a tragic full stop to the story of The Beatles and permanently scarred the psyche of rock’n’roll itself.
The list of contributors is impressive and the researchers have done a sterling job, although it is never explained if Yoko Ono was asked or declined to appear. There is one count on which the documentary feels on shaky ground; its toying with conspiracy theories.
The most comprehensive Lennon assassination documentary, in terms of showing what happened on that fatal night to this great musician and songwriter, and in explaining the subsequent legal process.
Even though this well-filmed, journalistically solid and at times moving documentary series includes interviews with witnesses who previously had not spoken on the record and features audio recordings of Chapman we hadn’t heard before, there’s nothing truly earth-shattering here.
A profoundly strange cultural moment is well captured. With Lennon gone, however, the onus is on Chapman to maintain the narrative and he just isn’t a terribly interesting murderer.
"John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial," in a sense, attempts to be the Warren Commission of the ex-Beatle's death, without magic bullet or grassy knoll. It's a tall order. .... A must-see, certainly for any Beatles completist. .... But for all the commentary about how nothing has changed, things have in fact changed. The show just doesn't address how.
Viewers who aren’t familiar with the facts surrounding the killing will find them well-presented in John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial, buttressed by eyewitness interviews. But ultimately, this docuseries is a SKIP IT. Conspiracy theories alluded to don’t materialize, and we’re left with a docuseries that wants to apply the structure of generic true crime to a momentous celebrity death.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 User Ratings
7.2
69% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
23% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
8% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 User Ratings
7.2
69% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
23% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
8% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
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Production Company:
- 72 Films
- Apple TV+
Initial Release Date: Dec 6, 2023
Number of seasons: 1 Season
Genres: