America's Serial Killers - Portraits in Evil (DVD, 2009)

This is a very thorough ten-part documentary at a reasonable price. My reason for taking off a point (rating it good rather than excellent) is that it is a bit TOO thorough. The title is AMERICA'S SERIAL KILLERS. When it sticks to the topic, it's riveting. But it goes off-topic often, in great detail. An entire episode is devoted to Jack The Ripper (a BRITISH serial killer); other episodes delve into vampires, werewolves, and movies about fictional serial killers. These tangents are interesting if you are into that sort of thing; viewers who are interested ONLY in American serial killers might not be enthusiastic. A very long intro is repeated at the beginning of each episode, which gets repetitious if you're watching multiple episodes in one sitting. The narrator also uses a creepy, high-pitched voice when quoting the serial killers. Otherwise, the documentary is serious, dignified, and does not exaggerate or glorify the criminals. Even if you think you know the stories of America's most notorious serial killers, this DVD may offer new information. For example, I was surprised to learn that Ed Gein only killed THREE people; he was into performing atrocities on dead bodies, so most of his victims were dug up from the local cemetery. Definitely worth watching.

I think this is a very interesting series. I have always been baffled by serial killers, I hadn't heard of everyone they talked about on these disks. I think this was very informative, some parts were a little boring, but that is true with all documentaries. Well done.

I enjoy documentaries about serial killers. I like to know about their childhood, their thought processes, and what led to their capture. This DVD gives a concise account of several serial killers. I was familiar with all of the individuals in this DVD, yet I still was able to learn some new information. This is an excellant DVD for anyone interested in actual facts and not sensationalism.

I can not wait to watch this movie. I am really into serial killers and why they did what they did. I love how they think that they could get away with their crimes as long as they did. I am not into love story books but more into the real stories about how people became what they are and why they are the way they are.

I'm sure I'll really get alot of use out of this. I do alot of keeping up with reading and watching movies on serial killers. I've always thought keeping up on serial killers was very interesting. In fact my major in college is criminal justice, so I know i'll get information on serial killers from this DVD, that will help me in college.