Carolina Skeletons

In June, 1944, George Stinney, a 14-year-old black South Carolina boy, became the youngest child legally executed in the United States, when he was electrocuted after being convicted of the murder of two white girls less than three months earlier. The case is widely considered one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in this country, and Stinney was eventually exonerated in 2014. Before that, however, the case, and the question of who actually killed those two girls, became the basis for a solid 1991 TV-movie, “Carolina Skeletons,” based on a novel by David Stout.The majority of “Carolina Skeletons” takes place in the early 1970’s in rural South Carolina where the murders occurred (in the movie, they take place in 1934). Louis Gossett, Jr., stars as James Bragg, the younger brother of the executed boy (called Linus Bragg in the film). Bragg, a Green Berets colonel, returns to the town he left years earlier to tend to his dying mother, and, at her request, he starts investigating the case all over again. The current sheriff, Junior Stoker (Bruce Dern), is the son of the sheriff (G.D. Spradlin) at the time the murders occurred, and a number of others who were involved in the investigation are still alive and not too keen on Bragg poking around. When a couple of the witnesses turn up dead under mysterious circumstances, Sheriff Stoker gets involved as well.On one level, “Carolina Skeletons” works fairly well as a mystery. It’s clear from the opening flashbacks that detail the murders that Linus didn’t do it, but finding the actual killer requires some good detective work by both Bragg and Stoker. The teleplay was written by veteran screenwriter Tracy Keenan Wynn, who does a good job of building suspense and disguising his clues. Whodunit fans will enjoy this movie simply for those reasons.However, “Carolina Skeletons” is even more effective as a commentary on racial relations in the South. There are only a couple of scenes set in 1934, but they are among the most chilling and memorable in the film. In one, the older Sheriff Stoker is able to coax Linus into signing the confession the sheriff prepared (and which was practically the only “evidence” of the boy’s guilt), not through threats but by adopting a gentle, fatherly tone with the frightened child. Later, the movie depicts Linus’ execution in horrifying detail. Nothing graphic is shown, but the underlying horror of the situation is powerful, both for the condemned Linus and for Junior, who was brought by his father to see the execution.The more recent scenes provide fascinating details about the changing nature of racial relations in the early 1970’s, only a few years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act. Some of the scenes in the movie are fairly predictable, like a late-night Klan appearance at the house where Bragg is staying and white characters’ frequent use of the N-word. But the most effective moments are quieter, like the sight of the now-barred “Colored” entrance to the courthouse that Bragg first tries to use before being told by a deputy he can go in the front door. Later, when he visits the town librarian (Melissa Leo) at a luncheonette, the chill in the restaurant is palpable when he enters and talks to her.“Carolina Skeletons” only falters when it tries too hard to be an action film. Gossett is quite convincing when he mixes it up with a couple of local rednecks, but the fight scenes and scattered gunplay seem a bit out of place. In addition, from a technical standpoint, the Amazon Prime video that I saw wasn’t the world’s highest quality, no doubt because of the film’s origins as a TV-movie and the lack of high quality master materials. However, for the most part, the movie itself is high quality, with a number of very good character actors in supporting roles, including prototypical redneck Clifton James, Bill Cobbs, and a very young Richard Jenkins. As I write this review, we are 80 years removed from the murders as portrayed in the movie, 70 years from the actual killings in the Stinney case, and nearly 50 years from the events shown in the rest of the film. “Carolina Skeletons” serves as a valuable, and well-made, reminder of the actual skeletons in the not-too-distant past in the South.

Amazing made for tv ,but certainly deserved movie house distribution. When this aired on NBC it was powerful and 30 years later has not lost it edge. Outstanding acting by Louis Gossett Jr. and Bruce Dern, Melissa Leo . Then child actor Kenny Blank who plays the 14 year old sent to the electric chair for a double murder he didn't commit, makes you as the viewer feel the trauma he is going through as he is strapped in the chair in his final moments. The film is a rock bed of what it was like in the Jim Crowe South and even after Civil Rights. Screenplay is by Tracy Keenan Wynn who adapted the novel for film and made the characters come to life.

I thought the movie was good considering it was a made for tv movie, but when I read the actual account of what happened to George Stinney, I realized the movie didn't "go there" like it could have, and should have. They should have shown how 14 year old George's family was run out of town, leaving this young boy all alone to face the naked hatred and racism of an entire town. Instead they focused more on Louis Gossett Jr's character and his determination to find evidence that would posthumously exonerate his brother. I realize the movie is based on George Stinney's execution with the names changed and some aspects fictionalized, but I still felt they did a disservice to the true life story by glossing over certain events. Despite the short-comings, it was a good movie with great performances all around especially for the young man who played the central character.

Highlights the racial divide in the country today. A tragic story of racism.

This movie is based on a true story. Of the Youngest Person ever executed in the U.S. I Think it was a great movie, with great acting. The only reason I gave it 4 stars, is I feel that it left out a lot of the actual facts about the history. In other words, it was more for entertainment than for anything educational. Great movie, Just be sure to read the book as well. (If you are interested in the actual Story of the 14 yr. old boy who was executed.

Louis Gossett, Jr. as always, great! He champions Black America by making films that give insight into life, showing us what we should be. Another such movie he made is "In His Father's Shoes". But "Carolina Skeletons", based on a true story, is suspenseful and heartwrenching. If you think you know who-dun-it, you're wrong! Gotta see the end! There are so many things in this world that have been and are so wrong but Louis shows us, through great acting and, I believe, personal integrity, that we are all called to do the right thing.

I hated what happened to that young boy, people are people, they are not defined by their skin color anymore than we whites should be. The movie just broke my heart! Worth watching.

I like it but I expected a little more in the story line. It is a typical story told and situation experienced in this so called America.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW THIS FILM,I WAS GLUED TO MY SEAT AND DID NOT WANT TO MOVE,LOU GOSSETT JR PLAYS A STRONG PART,AND HE PLAYS IT BRILLIANTLY.I LOVE TO WATCH FILMS LIKE THESE,WHERE PEOPLE ARE OUT TO GET TO THE TRUTH,WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN PUNISHED FOR SOMETHING THEY HAVE NOT DONE.I COULD WATCH THIS FILM OVER AND OVER AGAIN,WITHOUT GETTING BORED WITH IT.

on time and great movie ,worth it

Saw this film many years ago so when I saw it on DVD I had to buy it!!!! Film always makes me cry

Good movie very touching

very good