H. H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer

While I can handle documentaries about murders and death, this one I just had to break up and watch in small intervals because, in all honesty, what this guy did was unbelievable. Yes, he committed crimes and killed people, but we're not really sure just how many he did kill. Yes, he did this stuff, but every time you come across a guy who does not in fact own a conscience or even empathy for others, it boggles the mind and rattles the spirit. He didn't just kill people, but he killed animals too. As a swindler and con man, you'd think people would have figured out about him, at some point, but it was a long time before that happened.

This is definitely an interesting accounting of historical facts.

What I like is that not only does Borowski present facts, but he brings in several different researchers and experts to explain why certain facts still stand as facts and why some have been and still are called into question. It's an hour and four minutes that will blow your mind.

I gave this one 4/5 stars on Netflix. Part of me wished they would have gone into a little more detail on the possible connection between Jack the Ripper and Holmes - guess I'll have to watch the beginning part again to catch all of what they say. I'd also have preferred it if they did a little more digging into where the Chicago fire actually started because Holmes' killing, "castle," went up in flames before it could be turned into a murder museum... It's made to sound a little fishy, but they just don't go into enough detail to prove or disprove that this house could have been a starting point for the fire.

I definitely suggest it, if you're looking for documentaries on serial killers. At the moment, Borowski's documentary on Albert Fish is not available through Netflix Streaming, so it may be awhile before I get a chance to view that one.

Carl Panzram: The Spirit of Hatred and Vengeance

Even though I started Borowski's other documentary on H.H. Holmes - one of the men they thought might have been the notorious, "Jack the Ripper," - I'm reviewing this one first because I finished watching it first. On Netflix, I gave it 4/5 stars.

I enjoyed the insights into the mind of the serial killer this documentary provided. The reason this movie only got 4 stars has more to do with the fact that I thought I'd learn more about what the man himself did. However, that's not what this documentary does, nor do I believe that was it's objective.

This is more about the viewpoint of a prisoner, and how he became what he became. His writings exposed the prison system for what it was back then - a house of evil. While I'm all for people having consequences for their actions, and consequences that fit the crime, I find myself appalled at how children were treated back in his day. Panzram started as a poor, troubled boy who needed compassion and maybe even some kind words of encouragement, not the treatment he had at the hands of, "christians." That's a can of worms I won't be getting into right now. Watch this documentary, and hear the words of the man himself, and you'll understand why.

I found the man profound in a way because he saw - through his own life experience - the inherent flaws in mankind. What he learned of society, he abhorred. He saw humanity as evil, and he felt they were a plague to be wiped out. As if he had some sort of connection to the future, he believed that these people would ultimately destroy the earth.

I don't view mankind as a plague to be wiped out, but I do believe that society still has a long way to go. The rest of my beliefs in this matter are for a different blog altogether.

Getting back to the documentary. Watch it. If it doesn't change or enhance your views on how important all children are - rich, poor, in between, doesn't matter - and making sure everyone has the same education and a loving, caring start in life etc...well, I don't know what will.

While I don't completely agree that he is blameless in all of it, Panzram makes some very prophetic points. Definitely watch this documentary, I don't believe you'll regret it.