How influential is Errol Morris' 1988 documentary? Well, it not only changed the way people make documentaries but it also saved a man's life. Examining the story of Randall Dale Adams, a man on death row who was accused of shooting and killing a police officer in 1976, The Thin Blue Line helped convince officials that he had been wrongly accused and he was subsequently released. Morris, a former private detective, did extensive research on the case. The film also uses stylish recreations and has a haunting score by composer Philip Glass, which was unusual for a documentary at that time. Is now considered one of the greatest documentaries of all time and an example of how an independent film can bring about real change.
