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Lyman Ward, Connie Chung, Delbert Ward

The first feature-length effort by documentary filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, Brother's Keeper unfolds a strange-but-true story about a most unorthodox family. 59-year-old Delbert Ward l... read more read more...ives with his brothers Bill, Roscoe, and Lyman on a dairy farm near the upstate New York village of Munnville. Barely able to function on an adult level, the Ward brothers keep to themselves, ignored and shunned by their neighbors. When older brother Bill dies on June 5, 1990, the authorities determine that his death was not from natural causes. Suspected of a mercy killing, Delbert is charged with second degree murder. It gradually becomes apparent that the police coerced Delbert into signing a confession, whereupon his neighbors, who previously wanted nothing whatsoever to do with the man, begin lobbying passionately for his release. It's not that they believe that he's innocent, it's simply that he is one of "theirs." Berlinger and Sinofsky firmly refuse to sugarcoat their subject; their glimpses of the Mann brothers and their bizarre lifestyle might be unsettling to some. In addition to its other accomplishments, Brother's Keeper also demonstrates in a non-judgmental fashion how the media can manipulate public opinion, both positively and adversely. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

85% liked it

1,725 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

16 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Bruce Sinofsky, Joe Berlinger

Release Date: September 9, 1992

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DVD Release Date: July 29, 2003

Stats: 152 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (152)

  • Ivan6655321
    September 17, 2010
    Ivan6655321
    Typical documentaries are usually made to present facts, give the makers a chance to insert some subjective opinions of their own about a topic, then ends it with great objectivity as if nothing had happened. "Brother's Keeper" I think, is the first film of its kind that I've see... read moren to allow a very humanist approach, concerned not mainly about hard facts of the crime case, but the indecipherable interior of its main participants: The mentally atrophied Ward brothers. One of them, Delbert, is initially accused of euthanizing his brother, Bill, by a killing process, which Delbert vaguely described as "hand-to-mouth". The case progresses, and so was the morbid 'what-if' theorizing, from the Ward brothers' homosexual tendencies, to Delbert having an incestuous relationship with the deceased Bill. In the middle of all of it, with the defense and prosecution each preparing for the courtroom battle, lies yet another conflict: The straightforward city investigators clashing indirectly with Munnsville townsfolk rallying behind Delbert Ward. With this content, uptown vs. country, a full-fledged murder, media intercepting in its full glory, this could have been made as a cross-over between a documentary feature and media satire, with the camera serving as the amoral observant. But I was quite surprised as how human this film is, juxtaposing the unnerving trial footage with the moody calm of the vast farmland of Munnsville, following and listening to the Ward brothers as they speak their minds, although incomprehensibly at times, without any sardonic, subconscial mocking. I have to give Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky a lot of credit, not just as documentarians carrying microphone on their hands and camera on their shoulders pointing and focusing to its unwary subject, but as urgent human beings, not there just to cyclically perform 'ask and hear', 'question and answer', but to 'listen and heed', 'immerse and absorb'. Seeing the Ward brothers in their tractor, waving goodbye, it's more than just a farewell; it's a genuine testament of an accomplished human interaction.
  • cacutshaw
    February 8, 2008
    cacutshaw
    Riveting doc about two "simple" farmers. When one passes away, the other is accused of his murder. What happens next is amazing, when it becomes the townfolk vs the cityfolk with the simple farmer stuck in between. Amazing.
  • anotherwhitemeat
    December 27, 2008
    anotherwhitemeat
    Easily one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Fascinating in its sensitive nature. I've never heard a truer tag line: A Heartwarming Tale of Murder. If you have Netflix, queue this one up immediately.
  • flixter20depere
    November 13, 2007
    flixter20depere
    a sad documentary about these old guys up in new york state who were bulldozed by the system. if you like documentaries, this is one to watch.
  • granpretender
    December 1, 2006
    granpretender
    Entranable documental sobre unos viejillos que son hermanos; uno de ellos se muere y la policía cree que fue uno de ellos. Vale la pena.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
May 8, 2006
Emanuel Levy, Variety

A discomforting, almost surreal study of a rural murder case, which offers fascinating insights about both family and community dynamics. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 15, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The excellent humanistic documentary is a rich slice of life piece of Americana. Full Review

Jake Euker
March 9, 2004
Jake Euker, Filmcritic.com

A stirring, emotionally complicated documentary with a timeless theme: murder.

John A. Nesbit
February 11, 2004
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

documentaries truly can be as suspenseful and dramatic as any fictional narrative. Full Review

Mark Robison
July 31, 2003
Mark Robison, Reno Gazette-Journal

A wonderfully touching film filled with tension, heartache and amazing twists.

Christopher Null
October 6, 2002
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Enthralling! Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 22, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Offers a bizarre and fascinating look at the dynamics of community. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

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Brother's Keeper Trivia

  • Name the documentary which was made by the makers of Pradise Lost and Brother's Keeper!!  Answer »
  • "Am I my brothers keeper", name that movie.  Answer »
  • What movie did they say the phrase "Am I my brothers keeper?"  Answer »
  • what wesley snipe movie is this quote from.... "i am my brother's keeper? yes i am"  Answer »
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