Release Date: TBA
Rating: NR
Running Time: 92 minutes
Referred to as “Foxy Knoxy” by her Italian prosecutor and the press, American exchange student Amanda Knox was painted as an oversexed, remorseless killer during a controversial two-year murder trial leading up to her conviction and subsequent sentencing to 26 years in jail. But did she commit the crime of which she was accused, or was she herself a victim of circumstance and a suspect investigation? Find out in the Lifetime Original Movie Amanda Knox: Murder On Trial In Italy.
Amanda Knox: Murder On Trial In Italy was one of the most anticipated Lifetime movies of 2011. Given the controversy surrounded by the tragedy and the trial, which grabbed headlines all around the world, there was a lot to anticipate to either find out, clear up, or simply see visually with a film. Watching this film was not like watching an entertaining drama filled soap. Watching this film for most came out of a purely informational desire and the movie succeeded in laying the details out just as witnesses and the police saw it to be as well as how the suspects exclaimed it to be. Perhaps the only “entertaining” components were the two Hollywood actors in the film…
Hayden Panettiere as Amanda Knox and Oscar winner, Marcia Gay Harden as Amanda’s mother, as well as the rest of the cast really all made this film come to life in such an exhilarating way. There is nothing cheesy or soap opera-esque about the acting, which was refreshing. Though both of these seasoned actors have experience bringing their own unique talent to a Lifetime film, so that was to be expected, thankfully. The casting was smart and the writing was smart, especially given that the trial was still underway at the time of the film’s debut.
The film stood close to the facts that were showcased here and was not biased as to if Knox was guilty or not guilty of murder, which was refreshing given everyone’s strong opinions about this case. Every detail of the trial was not shared, like Knox’s sexual assault charge which was odd. Also, the story is not told in chronological order, so you should definitely know that before going in since some viewers do mind watching a film play out, out of order. This technique is not done in a confusing way. In fact, the scenes took place in the order as the pieces to the puzzle were being put together in a sense. So it’s a great watch, because the way that film takes you along this mystery just makes everything all the more mysterious. Lifetime created a telling story of the case an even more intriguing documentary in the special features…
Bonus Feature:
Beyond the Headlines: The Amanda Knox Story (42:56 minutes) – If you did not watch the documentary that followed the film’s debut on Lifetime, the documentary has been put on the DVD! People close to Knox as well as those involved in the case gave interviews while various real life footage and photos are shared. In showing this, viewers see how on point the movie was visually. Visually, Lifetime did not stray one bit from anything it seems. Though because the entire story cannot be detailed in this short documentary, it would be best to watch the film first, do some of your own research about the case, and then watch the documentary. You will be enlightened, whether you follow(ed) the case with your own research or not so this documentary is definitely worth the watch!
Own Amanda Knox: Murder On Trial In Italy on DVD this summer.