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Brother's Keeper

  • 1992
  • R
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
Brother's Keeper (1992)
CrimeDocumentaryMystery

This compelling documentary details the strange-but-true murder trial of Delbert Ward, accused of the mercy killing of his brother in rural upstate NY. This real-life murder mystery won the ... Read allThis compelling documentary details the strange-but-true murder trial of Delbert Ward, accused of the mercy killing of his brother in rural upstate NY. This real-life murder mystery won the Audience Award at Sundance.This compelling documentary details the strange-but-true murder trial of Delbert Ward, accused of the mercy killing of his brother in rural upstate NY. This real-life murder mystery won the Audience Award at Sundance.

  • Directors
    • Joe Berlinger
    • Bruce Sinofsky
  • Stars
    • Delbert Ward
    • Roscoe Ward
    • Lyman Ward
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    4.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Joe Berlinger
      • Bruce Sinofsky
    • Stars
      • Delbert Ward
      • Roscoe Ward
      • Lyman Ward
    • 31User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
    • 93Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 4 nominations total

    Photos4

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    Top cast15

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    Delbert Ward
    • Self
    Roscoe Ward
    • Self
    Lyman Ward
    • Self
    Walt Geisler
    • Self - Ward Supporter
    Ken Elmer
    • Self - Neighbor
    John Teeple
    • Self - Neighbor
    Dave Goff
    • Self - Cousin
    Joseph F. Loszynski
    • Self - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
    • (as Captain Joseph F. Loszynski)
    Harry Thurston
    • Self - Friend
    Ralph A. Cognetti
    • Self - Defense Attorney
    Maynard A. Cosnett
    • Self - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
    • (as Investigator Maynard A. Cosnett)
    John W. Graham
    • Self - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
    • (as Investigator John W. Graham)
    Robert J. Killough
    • Self - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
    • (as Investigator Robert J. Killough)
    Donald F. Cerio
    • Self - Madison County District Attorney
    Connie Chung
    Connie Chung
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Joe Berlinger
      • Bruce Sinofsky
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews31

    7.54.3K
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    Featured reviews

    10desperateliving

    10/10

    In a simple way this is just an "us and them" story, with the hardworking small town folk being treated like buffoons by the big, mean, well-groomed city justice people. But Berlinger and Sinofsky are far more talented than that, and their film ends up being one of the most human films I've ever seen in terms of their generosity to their subjects. It's generous because they don't put their views into the film, they don't decide how we should view the allegations, but at the same time don't restrict themselves from becoming somewhat involved in these brothers' lives.

    At first we're inclined to look down on these brothers -- they rarely bathe, they're not educated, they can hardly hear what the documentarians say to them. They're completely unselfconscious. Our natural reaction is to place ourselves above them. But the filmmakers' greatness is in how within about half an hour we find ourselves connected to them as equals. In fact, we notice how philosophical they can be, maybe without realizing it -- without being treated like simpleminded saints. The directors give us a view of the townspeople, too, the Ward brother supporters, many of which are quite articulate themselves. (One elderly gentleman, a hard man from the outside, is surprisingly forward-thinking, when it's speculated that the brothers may have had an incestuous relationship, and he uses the word "gay" rather than the expected offensive term, and refers to the justice people as "narrow minded," and how whatever kind of relationship the bothers had, sexual or not, it should not have any bearing on the case.) There's one startling description of the brothers' love for one another, that if indeed one of the brothers did kill the other, it was in the same way he would have killed a sick and dying cow, paralyzed after giving birth. (There's one horrifying scene where a pig is killed that isn't quite as lovely.)

    The communal, familial way in which the filmmakers interact with the brothers is exactly the same way these townspeople interact with one another. The construction of the film is just perfect for the entire film. It's uncomfortable without being cruel, it's friendly without being cloying, it's dark and disturbing without seeming phony. When joyful fiddle music plays after a scene, it's never mocking the way it would be in another film. (And one of the greatest scenes in the film is an image of a ragged man with his cows, and some very, very haunting violin music by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, whose entire score is outstanding, and anticipates "Fargo.") When the trial takes place, we're implicated because we don't know the truth. By this point we're so invested in these brothers that when one of them is on the bench, shaking and terrified from nervousness -- these brothers just don't have this kind of human contact -- the filmmakers have completely earned our tears. It's not a sentimental moment, it's as horrifying as the scene of the pig being killed. You feel as if the judicial system is raping this man of his dignity. This is a masterpiece. 10/10
    6jeffro517-783-121956

    An interesting premise that just misses being more.

    Once in a while I find a documentary film that I can really sink my teeth into. Brother's Keeper is one of those films. Produced and directed by Joe Burlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, this film documents the murder accusation and trial of Delbert Ward. Ward had been accused of the mercy killing of his older brother and roommate who lived in a shack with him and his other two brothers.

    The film sheds light onto a small segment of society in central New York state. The brothers worked a farm and lived in the poorest of conditions. None of them were educated and were mainly illiterate. The defense of Delbert would focus on the possible coercion of a confession and Delbert's illiteracy would be at issue. Other factors would include a number of forensic details that were disagreed upon amongst professionals.

    Part of the amazing nature of the film is the sudden upwelling of support for Delbert and his brothers from the small farming community he lived in. Despite being seen as outsiders the Ward brothers gained the financial and moral support of a community who didn't believe that one of these men could kill their brother.

    The success of this documentary comes from several things. The editing is the first major piece since it makes this documentary flow well. Secondly, the interviews with the people on both sides adds to the credibility. The District Attorney and the defense attorney are both interviewed as well as people from all over the town. The trial footage also gives a great look at the testimony of medical experts.

    Finally, the three brothers were all interviewed. Their interviews add weight to the innocence claims of Delbert. It's also amazing to see the interaction they have in their dilapidated farmhouse where they're cut off from the world.

    I would suggest this film for anyone. The film is a unique look at the justice system, small community life, and illiteracy. I would give this 3.2 out of 5 stars.
    8PaulyC

    touching documentary about murder in a small town

    This well made documentary involving the murder trial of an illiterate farmer in upstate New York is about as well made as they come. Delbert Ward, a simple farmer who could hardly read, is accused of killing his brother, Bill, in his sleep. Motives for the crime ranged from 'mercy killing' (his brother was sick at the time) to even the suggestion of a sex crime (the brothers shared the same bed all their lives and never had girlfriends). Delbert signed a confession but claims the police made him sign and agree to certain things that weren't true just so he can go home. When the charges were made the whole town of Munnsville, NY, came to Delberts side to defend him and even got money together to release him on bail. This film is an interesting look into the lives of simple people being confronted with 'big city' police and attorney tactics. Even after winning some awards from big film festivals no one bought the film so the filmmakers self-distributed the movie themselves, taking it from theater to theater. It is now one of the most successful self-distributed films of all time. It now has distribution and is well praised. Good Stuff!
    8pwaldron-2

    Class review

    We are a class of 8 that live in the town where the movie is filmed. We watched the movie and have gone over articles about the Ward brothers. The movie was riveting and very interesting. We weren't even born when this took place. Some of us had heard stories from our parents and grandparents and for the rest of the class this was the first time we heard about it. We feel the town has changed but the people are still the same. Even though the Ward brothers have passed on, their legacy still remains. They are still topics of conversations. We did not like it when Lyman was on the stand and having a nervous breakdown. Half the class feels he is not guilty and the other half are unsure. We are glad we got to see this film and read the stories.
    9Bill21

    Quite a story...

    It's very sad to look at the Ward Boys, a trio of brothers whose simple world is brought out into the national spotlight in 1991 when one of their brothers is found dead in the morning, and one of the brothers, Delbert (who shared the bed with Bill, the dead brother), is accused of murdering/ euthanizing him. To watch them is to see a segment of the country that gets little attention, but is made king of quaintly riveting in this context. We basically see all the different characters of the town go about their daily lives (including the brothers) while the backdrop of the murder trial casts a pall over their lives. It's funny to see people who would have never normally talked to these outcast bumpkins now embrace them as if they were relatives. And the old Ward Boys, all in their 50s and 60s, don't seem too affected by it all until the trial.

    This is a really enthralling watch and it gives an insider's view into a community and a world that many of us never get to see. Some of the townspeople are really fun to just listen to, and the police make themselves look pompous and suspect, which is one of the great achievements of this film... it makes us relate to people who are unlike most of us and rally around them against those most like ourselves.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Picked by Entertainment Weekly magazine as one of the "50 Greatest Independent Films" in a special supplement devoted to independent films that was only distributed to subscribers in October 1997.
    • Goofs
      No judge would accept a signed murder confession from someone who can't read.
    • Crazy credits
      Flash, the editing room dog.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Distinguished Gentleman/Brother's Keeper/The Bodyguard/The Crying Game/Close to Eden (1992)

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Brother's Keeper?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 1992 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Охранник брата
    • Filming locations
      • Munnsville, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • American Playhouse
      • Creative Thinking International Ltd.
      • Hand to Mouth Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,305,915
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,758
      • Sep 13, 1992
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,305,915
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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