Mind Over Murder

As Episode 1 of "Mind Over Murder" (2022 release; 6 episodes of about 55 min each) opens, we find ourselves in a remote small Nebraska town called Beatrice, population 12,669. Various Beatrice residents introduce themselves and speak directly into the camera. Then we learn that in February, 1985, a 68 yr old grandma called Helen Wilson was brutally raped and murdered, causing a seismic shock in the small community. Who could've done such a horrible and heinous crime? At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary of Nanfy Wang ("One Child Nation"). Here she reassesses the events of February, 1985 and how it all plays out afterwards. I don't want to go into more specifics in case you are not fully aware of this case. Let's just say that there are quite a number of "twists" along the way, I mean you can't make this stuff up because it wouldn't be believable. Indeed once again these facts are stranger than fiction. The film makers do a good job of covering all the different possibilities. It's truly like making a 1,500 pieces puzzle, one piece at the time.

"Mind Over Murder" premiered a couple of weeks ago on HBO and a new episode comes out every Monday (and then stream on HBO Max). We are now 3 episodes into it, and I can't wait to see the remaining 3 episodes. If you love true crime and a good documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

Can't stand how ignorant that Burdette guy is. He should spend as much time in jail as these people had to. This guys clearly has no empathy whatsoever. Just protecting his image and lying to himself and the people around him. Should be ashamed.

Other than that pretty interesting documentary. It took some time to really take me in. But after two episodes it started to get twisted. Before that I didn't really care a lot.

Sad that this was possible. To just put people in that position by pressure.

It's annoying that the review needs a certain amount of words. I don't know what to say more. I recommend it if you don't know what to watch else and you're into true crime.

I have never reviewed before and am writing this positive review to counteract the effects of the premature negative reviews. This documentary was fascinating and horrifying. I really recommend giving it a chance. Most of the negative reviews I read, whatever their complaint, were written after only two or three episodes. Stick with it! This doc was thoughtfully constructed to reveal all the various elements of the story at the exact right time. Above all, I am thoroughly impressed with the director's success at getting so many meaningful interviews from all points of view at various stages of the project. What fabulous work!

This is a really sad but interesting case in a town full of characters. I like how the victim is not lost. We get to meet her through old movies, tape recordings, and family members.

The only draw back to this documentary is the intermingling of the actual case and the side project play and it's actors. While watching it feels as if it/they are completely unnecessary and only serve to drag this doc out, but stick it out because it all collides in ep 6.

It is mind blowing how badly this case was handled. So many people drug through the mud and a family left with wrong answers and so much grief all for one guys ego.

For the people that didn't understand why it was included then gave up before the final episode: you missed something that the rest of us would say was amazing.

Not the quality of the production itself, which seemed well done, but for the impact it had on the locals and particularly on the families involved, some of whom were in the audience.

I'll admit that I did wonder why they were spending any time on it, but it paid off spectacularly.

Most people would have realised that Burt had employed some fairly dodgy interviewing techniques by about episode 4, but seeing his reaction to both the documentary and what he had been told about the play was illuminating.