The Fear of 13 (2015) User Reviews

Moving and well made documentary

[t-dooley-69-386916 · 8/10 · 20 April 2016]

Nick Yarris was convicted of a horrible crime and sentenced to death – this is his story. It is basically Nick telling the story of his life to camera and mostly done in a chronological fashion. There is some re enactment of his past life as a child but that is a small part of the film.

For a film that basically just has one man talking to the camera for the majority of the time, this is incredibly powerful. It is an amazing, sad and moving story and I challenge anyone not to be moved by it. I watched it over a week ago and have only just decided to write a review to see if the film had lost any of its potency and nope it has not.

To say any more runs the risk of spoiling the story so I will demur, this is recommended to anyone who appreciates the uniqueness that real life can portray and who appreciate quality in their film making.

Captivating storytelling from a Death Row inmate

[ben_andreas91 · 8/10 · 16 July 2016]

The story of Nick Yarris was completely alien to me before I saw this documentary. The first impression I got when introduced to him was that of great sadness and loss. His face and body looked tired, drained from whatever he had experienced - at the end I understood why.

The Fear of 13 does not necessarily tackle new issues; nor does it highlight anything one hasn't seen before. The struggles of convicts, their fight for survival inside a maximum security prison is no new genre. However, this story sucks you in from the beginning and keeps you listening all the way to the end. Stripping the documentary down to the bare essentials keeps it intriguing. Atmospheric music complements Yarris' somber voice with recreated scenes as he opens up about his past. And although the narrative of death row inmates have been shared before, there is an eloquence about Yarris that makes his story unique. There are times when I doubted the authenticity of certain professed anecdotes, but it was hard to disagree with the vigor in which he spoke about them.

You wouldn't think it...

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 5 February 2016]

On the face of it, a documentary that spends a full hour and a half sitting with one guy as he talks to the camera doesn't sound all that interesting. Yet THE FEAR OF 13 turns out to be stark, compelling and ultimately moving viewing, because the interview subject has one hell of a story to tell.

In essence, this is a story of Death Row and the life and death struggle that takes place within. Nick Yarris was sent down in the 1980s, but his life story incorporates much more than a simple tale of life behind bars. There's action in the form of thrilling police chases, a murder mystery, courtroom drama, a blistering critique of the American justice system, and finally catharsis of sorts.

Director David Sington commendably avoids tricks for the most part, content for Yarris to tell his own story in his own words - after all, it needs no embellishment. There are a couple of flashbacks and some evocative music and sound to fit the theme, and it all works. THE FEAR OF 13 is a fine piece of film-making and one that deserves to be seen by all.

Definition of Real Storytelling

[conroymalcolm · 10/10 · 18 February 2016]

I've watched many documentaries about crime and listened to people who have committed crimes.

I don't usually rate documentaries because they provide different information that is important across the board and I can't put a rating on that.

This is my first ever review and the reason why I chose to review this film is because it's one of the most captivating and detailed story I've ever listened to, about crimes someone have committed. Throughout the film, I kept asking myself, why is this (former) prisoner so good at storytelling and why was he in prison, it is almost like you almost can't believe that the story actually happened because of the way he was conveying it. The cinematics were just enough to compliment Nick Yarris' story which made it all together very engaging and beautiful. Even though he went back and forth in history while he told his story, it was still easy to understand because it all came together as he spoke.

A wonderful story that everyone should hear.

Incredible, a must see.

[Hydemine · 10/10 · 13 May 2016]

The first thing that struck me about this film was Mr Yarris's incredible story telling ability. It is non-fiction but I immediately had to IMDb it to check because I was sure he was an actor. His talent with words and elegance with delivery grows throughout the film. This, coupled with skillfully placed flash back scenes, completely immerse you into the story. Yarris's life could easily be argued as one of the most tragic ever to be lived. For a film which is essentially a 90 minute interview, I was completely blown away by how much it entertained me and moved me. A dark horse of quality film and story telling. Added to my repeat watch list and recommended to everyone I know.

A natural storyteller spins an often fascinating tale

[GruesomeTwosome · 7/10 · 6 December 2016]

Nick Yarris, a death row inmate who claims his innocence regarding his conviction for the rape and murder of a woman in the early '80s, tells his story to the camera in a very articulate and dramatic fashion. This is a man who led a life of petty crime and got into drugs from a young age and had never gotten past a rudimentary level of formal education, and like many prisoners facing hard time, he self-taught by reading books and with the way he speaks in this doc (and we get everything from his perspective - he's literally the only person we hear from for the film's entire duration), he has clearly picked up the knack for storytelling. Whether he's embellishing some of his stories or not, it's hard to tell, but the imagery he conjures up with his vivid descriptions is often fascinating and really gives the viewer an idea of settings and circumstances. Admittedly, the nature of these constant talking-head segments does seem quite well-rehearsed in advance, but I generally didn't have much issue with it. Sometimes, however, it got a little over-the-top with unnecessary sound effects that were added for dramatic effect.

There is a very personal, tragic incident from Yarris' childhood that isn't brought up until close to the very end, I'm not sure how it aided his story really or why it was decided to add this bit in the final moments other than to maybe throw in a "twist" of sorts to reveal that Yarris himself was a rape victim, but oh well. Interesting documentary for the most part, which I thought was going to be another THE THIN BLUE LINE, Errol Morris' landmark 1988 documentary which actually helped lead to that film's subject being released from prison for a murder that he did not commit. And, well, I honestly wouldn't have minded THE FEAR OF 13 being similar to Morris' film, though I would have appreciated a bit more of the specifics on the abduction/rape/murder case for which Yarris was convicted. I have somewhat of a local connection since the mall parking lot where the victim was abducted was right near my hometown. Anyways, there have been better true crime docs but this one is worth a viewing for those who find this stuff fascinating, and told exclusively from the perspective of the subject. Yarris really knows to put a picture in your, the viewer's, head, and place yourself in every situation he describes in detail. The man is a natural-born storyteller...or maybe it was all that reading in prison that honed his skills.

What an amazing story

[thor_linnet · 10/10 · 21 June 2016]

SPOILER ALERT

I am so used to documentaries like this having horrible endings that I constantly waited for the next horrible twist in this man's incredible story. I say incredible story, but not only is the story incredible, this man is incredible. He has had bad luck beyond belief, fueled by a couple of bad decisions. So when this story ended the way it did, I almost shed a tear, which is a very rare thing.

Despite the static, empty and gray environment of his confinement, the horrible treatment he received, the indifference from the legal system, he endured it all, and not only that, he grew to become a better and wiser man at peace with himself. How he managed this is beyond my understanding, and it would be an honor if I could ever shake this man's hand. Hearing him tell his story, aided by highly effective visuals, sound effects and music scores, you are taken on an emotional tour through his life. I can easily say that this documentary has affected me more than any other recent title.

I recommend watching this to anyone.

So much potential, so poorly executed

[mg75535 · 6/10 · 24 June 2017]

This documentary had so much potential. The story was there: a man who was wrongfully convicted, sentenced to death, begged to be executed and was finally released. However, the director decided to go with an unconventional story telling approach and the film suffers greatly for it. Instead of what we conventionally see in documentaries, where the film makers interview multiple people in the case and chronicle the investigation and journey the subject has gone through, David Sington basically lets Nick Yarris ramble into the camera for an hour and a half. At times, his incessant rambling bordered on unbearable and just annoying.

I'm sure many people enjoy the unconventional approach to story telling, but for someone like me who's interested in the failings of our criminal justice system, I want to hear from more than one person. When I watch something about a person who was wrongfully convicted, I want to know how the hell did this happen? I want to know about the legal proceedings and the case. The entire time I was watching this I was thinking well what the hell happened to this woman? What do the detectives, prosecutors, etc. have to say about the damage they've done? Instead, I got a very disjointed non-linear story from only one person and a summary of the vocabulary words he used.

It's not horrible, and it's not a necessarily a waste to watch, but there are so many other documentaries about the wrongfully accused and convicted that are so much more powerful and insightful than this one.

Resurrection: from death to life

[david-86864 · 10/10 · 10 June 2016]

I just finished watching "Fear of 13" on Netflix and was blown away by this true life story.

After being mistreated as a boy, Nick Yarris' young naive life took a turn. He chose to act out by doing illegal acts which eventually led him to become more than a mere suspect, but a victim of backward and judgmental law enforcement during the days prior to DNA testing.

Ending up on death row, Nick, through dedication, becomes well educated, borne out of the kindness of one guard who tells him to do one thing. That one act led to intellectual growth, after which Nick begins to seek aid from numerous officials and one particular person/organization.

This is not the sort of story one wants to pause to fix a sandwich or rush to the bathroom, as it is all too engrossing. Throughout the film, Nick is well spoken, tells his life story with words and manners that reflect the person he alone grew to become, despite having been locked in a cell, in solitary confinement, for decades. Not letting all the terrible incidents that took place in confinement to turn him into an evil person, he, instead, became filled with purpose and vision.

This film is a must watch for all fans of liberation. Please, don't miss this one.

Story may be compelling but

[Thrill-Seeker · 6/10 · 8 September 2020]

Not my cup of tea, to watch a single person talk forever without any visual depiction. Would rather listen to such thing on podcast or radio.

Subtly moving, haunting, and powerful story

[hilbertjl · 8/10 · 14 June 2016]

I have no patience for documentaries that aim to tug a variety of heart-strings and make it obvious from the first few frames. Nick Yarris's story is different, perhaps mostly because it's treated objectively by the film's director. Instead of an hour and a half of old morality play, we simply sit and listen to a guy tell his incredible tale. At no point does Yarrow pretend to be anyone other than himself; at no point does he ask us to see him differently. He just tells us what happened to him, the good and the terrible, and does not ask us to judge, convict, or even forgive.

It is for that reason that I found his story so compelling and emotionally evocative. It is, perhaps, a reminder that we all have amazing, emotional stories to tell and that we should all try to sit back and listen more often.

Interesting story, but the prison system is broken

[groovieknave · 6/10 · 12 September 2018]

I'm in awe at how many people are propping this guy up as if he is some angel. The guy is a thief, kidnapper, drug addict, even before he was wrongly convicted. What really freaks me out is the justice system and the prisons... they get away with some scary things that they should be shut down for! I seriously do not understand why people think this guy is a hero. He's deeply troubled and traumatized and should be getting the help he needs. But the justice and prison systems need a huge overhaul with a mega dose of humanity!

Pretty boring...

[sophiarodriguez-86742 · 3/10 · 23 June 2019]

A guy sitting and telling stories (doubt if the stories are accurate). He's a good actor and a fair story teller, but nothing more. Couldn't continue after the first 20 mins... too boring.

An inspiring and motivational treat, wrapped in a tale of bad decisions and tragic events.

[CreativeSpark · 8/10 · 7 February 2016]

Really awesome doc here, me and a friend watched this the other night and I was blown away. The narration and structure are phenomenal in this piece, a very close to heart tale and the context in which it all unravels is remarkable none the less. I'm so glad I watched this doc, which I wouldn't have expected could be so personally inspiring and motivating regarding how much knowledge is really garnered from reading. I mean, of course, I know reading is important and I do my share of knowledgeable reading each day. But, I'm simply referring to those that really read as a fun activity and not just because you have to read for the moment. I'd be lying to say I'm not guilty of that sometimes, but after viewing this doc, I'm extremely inspired to do way more. I understand my review is not as detailed, or as intricate, regarding the context of the overall film. However, I wanted to reflect and share on the personal inspiration I was able to take from it.

Quietly haunting, downtroddenly reflective documentary

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 9/10 · 27 March 2016]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

In 2002, Nick Yarris, a death row prisoner since 1985, wrote to the authorities, eager to move his execution date forward, not relishing the prospect of going through another appeal, before some startling new evidence came to light and quashed his conviction after many years. Speaking directly to the camera, he narrates the tale of the build up to his arrest, the circumstances surrounding his life at the time, his experiences in prison and some traumatic events from his past that further shaped his mind.

There can't be much more interesting sights to witness than that of a man with nothing to lose. A man who can reveal his innermost desires, thoughts and feelings without any sense of trepidation, given he's already building up to the final moment when it will all be gone. From our first moment with him, Nick Yarris strikes us as a guy with words just flying off the tip of his tongue, but with a surprising degree of eloquence and articulation (having taken up reading old books during his lonely hours on death row) in how he conveys them. And, in a short time frame, director David Sington draws out plenty of backstory from him.

Yarris was hardly a model citizen before his incarceration, and if you consider we don't even learn of his innocence until the end, it's even harder to illicit sympathy with someone who still describes a life with little respect for the law and individual liberty. But nonetheless, he still spins quite a gripping yarn, and Sington further enhances the experience with the use of the camera, slowly hovering over seemingly mundane objects, and capturing the eerie silence of the empty prison with great clarity.

It takes a deeply unappealing individual, and somehow manages to illuminate him as a human being, and enthral you in his woes and wherefores. A stirring and emotional tale that shines light from the darkest place. ****

Missing something..

[mhunts33 · 7/10 · 5 March 2020]

I really enjoyed this documentary. The main subject does a great job of telling his own story. However, I feel it would have brought a little more depth to story if they added some other interviews of people other than him at least to give some broader context to his story. Also , maybe adding some of the media coverage from the time of the crimes. Overall good documentary tho but just could have been better.

Gifted Story Telling at it's Finest

[Glenn_K9 · 10/10 · 12 October 2016]

There are no words to express how deeply moving this documentary film is. I don't think there is an another actor or the like who could have told this story the way Nick Yarris tells it. He truly has a gift in this documentary that lures you deeper and deeper into the story. His expression of how some little things in life can change you and make you a better person and even stronger is spectacular. I truly hope that this documentary and Nick himself receives the recognition it so well deserves. I'll be watching this in the Academy Awards for best documentary category. I am an avid fan of true murder mystery documentaries and have watched countless over the years and I highly doubt that any other documentary will touch me how this one did. Nick Yarris is an incredibly strong man who is the hero in his own life.

Great bio-mentary

[Calicodreamin · 7/10 · 28 March 2020]

Nick Yarris does a great job in this biography / documentary, telling his story. It's both captivating and emotional, and luckily has a good ending. The editing and filming of the documentary really compliment the experience of listening to his story. Well made.

Awesome movie "The Fear of 13"

[jeffreymayhew-15429 · 10/10 · 20 August 2017]

What an excellent movie and I like how it's delivered by the author himself. It seems so unfair that they could sentence a man to death and destroy the only evidence that could still prove his innocence or guilt. You'd have to say that was too close for comfort. But what about the men and woman who were innocent and they couldn't get a fair trial and they were put to death. They started the death penalty for the worst of the worst offenders, then it went to cop killers now it's what ever a crown attorney or a governor or a politician feels like. These are human lives we are dealing with. Mistakes can't be made. I would give this doc a full 10/10. Best one I have ever seen and I thought I've seen em all. Thank you for sharing your life story. I hope his life turned into a success and he found his peace with what life he has left. Peace.

He Is Compelling!

[damianphelps · 7/10 · 14 September 2022]

I sat down and watched this documentary with my wife and it just captivated both of us instantly.

Nick has a way of telling his story that is so incredibly articulate and engaging it was like watching a one man play rather than a doco.

His story is as much fascinating as it is tragic and there is so much pain that oozes out of the man, its hard not to have pity for him and his first wife.

The film also has nice little styling touches where Nick is telling his story and the director adds a little sound effect to add emphasis to the actions. Super effective.

This is not a death penalty for or against story. Just the tale of a man warts and all.

Could maybe have benefited from some outside perspectives on the story however this may have disrupted the incredible feel the film has.

Totally worth it :)

Captivating

[pnkstr · 10/10 · 5 August 2018]

A man sitting in a chair telling his story. Not something I would usually seem interested in. However after five minutes in I was captivated. He is so well articulate, honest and has this hypnotic voice that just holds your attention. Such an incredible story and so well expressed. The way he describes situations makes you feel like you are there with him. One of the best documentaries by far.

Too Long and Ultimately Boring

[alanc88 · 3/10 · 16 July 2020]

This is an overly long documentary of some thug / thief / druggie who was incorrectly convicted of killing some woman. Now, I'm all for getting wrongly convicted criminals off death row, but this story went on and on and on - could quite easily been done in a half hour. I'm currently at the 57 minute mark and it has only just got to the stage where it mentions anything about the abduction / killing of the woman. So far it's all been about his time in prison / somebody singing on the block / some inmates getting separated and sent to different prisons / how he escaped for 25 days even though he didn't want to escape - it's been too boring! There are too any pauses during his story telling to try and build some tension. At 63 minutes now and he has been given death sentence for womans abduction / killing. He does some reading in jail over the next few years and hears about DNA. At 83 minutes his lawyers discover that the DNA found at the woman's crime scene does not match him. He gets released after 21 years in prison and moves to England; (we need a few more thugs / thieves / druggies over here). The woman's murder was never solved.

Utterly terrifying

[muamba_eats_toast · 8/10 · 6 February 2020]

As equally terrifying as it was captivating a horrific true story so eloquently told that I felt like I was living it through merely watching him say their retelling the events something rarely done to this effect. Definitely worth a watch even if slightly haunting.

An extraordinary and harrowing tale of the struggle of a man to clear himself

[philipcfromnyc · 9/10 · 16 June 2016]

**** SPOILER ALERT -- THIS SUMMARY CONTAINS PLOT DETAILS ****

In the interests of full disclosure, I should mention that I am vehemently opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances. What I found extraordinary about Yarris's account is the dispassionate manner in which he tells his story, in the form of interviews and flashbacks to past events. Yarris is no choirboy -- this is made very clear when Yarris describes his successful escape from death row during the course of a transfer, and his time spent on the lam committing auto theft, robbery, and other serious crimes.

Yet Yarris draws the viewer into his tale, in which the viewer learns about the botched handling of DNA evidence, which became available in the 1990s and which resulted in literally hundreds of prisoners (many on death row) across the nation being released from prison EVERY YEAR following the reversal of their convictions.

We learn of Yarris's self-motivation and his ultimate success in teaching himself to read and to understand complex words, and his subsequent immersion into the world of books (thrillers, suspense novels, and nonfiction accounts -- one nonfiction account named "Crime and Punishment!").

Yarris describes the manner in which he was prosecuted for assaulting a police officer, attempted murder of a police officer, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, and other charges stemming from his recapture. Clearly, Yarris is not the model prisoner or model citizen one would wish to have as a next door neighbor.

But the inexcusable screw-ups in the handling of DNA evidence which finally exculpated Yarris make it clear that our criminal justice system is far from perfect, and that innocent people can and do get convicted, causing one to speculate as to the number of actually, factually innocent prisoners who have been executed, particularly in the decades before DNA evidence became available.

At no point does Yarris engage in bathos or naked attempts to appeal to emotions. His account is calm, collected, and coherent at all times. Even his ultimate vindication and the reversal of his conviction are described without much emotion.

What becomes clear is the psychological cost of sexual assault which is not addressed by therapeutic intervention (in this case, of Yarris himself as a youth). The writer was also left with serious doubts as to whether or not conditions on Pennsylvania's death row comport with Eighth Amendment prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment.

Incredible

[zephyrsnana · 10/10 · 25 October 2018]

This man is unbelievably well spoken to say the least. Captivating to the point you can close yours as if you were listening to a radio show/podcast. That is what an excellent job he does describing his experience/experiences.