The Chair

American Direct Cinema classic directed and produced by Robert Drew, shot and edited by Richard Leacock. A black convict faces the death penalty by execution in the electric chair. Leacock follows his attorney with the camera as a fly on the wall as he makes phone calls, talks to his secretary in order to build the case for the convict's defence. Leacock also follows the preparations of the execution as the chair is made ready. Meanwhile, the prosecutor is seen playing golf filmed from a low angle (he is very tall). Then we are at the hearing where witnesses speak against or on behalf of the convict. After the hearing it is up to the state governor to decide whether the convict must face execution or not. Thus, the film builds up into the climax when the decision is made public. The film contains small bits of voice over primarily stating facts.