Anatomy of a Hate Crime

TV Movie
2001
1h 30m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Fact-based drama centering on the brutal 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly homosexual college student in Wyoming, by two homophobic, trouble-making teens and their co-conspirator gir... Read allFact-based drama centering on the brutal 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly homosexual college student in Wyoming, by two homophobic, trouble-making teens and their co-conspirator girlfriends which prompted an outcry of support for the Shepard family and tougher hate-crime... Read allFact-based drama centering on the brutal 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly homosexual college student in Wyoming, by two homophobic, trouble-making teens and their co-conspirator girlfriends which prompted an outcry of support for the Shepard family and tougher hate-crime laws by liberal activists, but also support for Matthew's killers by religious leaders an... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

330

YOUR RATING

15User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Photos1

User reviews15

6.7330

Featured reviews

curlyamygirl

Good Message, Not so Great Execution

This movie, based on the actual events about the murder of Matthew Shepard, started off well-meaning. But the ambiguous acting job by the title character didn't make you really CARE about him at all. While the message of the movie is a good one, it did come off a little preachy. Could a movie about respecting another's sexuality come off as anything but, though? .. I believe, actually, it could. Despite that, it's still a good, worthwhile flick that I believe everyone should have to see.

10darkangelvamp666

touching

This movie was not only touching but it was a big dose of reality for most people. Most people wouldn't think that anything like that could ever really happen...It also shows people to be careful even though you are the nicest guy(girl) in the world there are still deceitful people in this world who will back stab your trust,No matter how nice to them you are. This movie also teaches us its OK to be who you are,Don't hide based on other peoples opinions.Before I saw this movie I never noticed the discrimination towards a few friends of mine who happen to be gay..and afterwards in oticed that other people are quick to judge and act differently around them. I've laerned not to judge and not to be one of those people.

grl_4_2gether

Fantastic, but sad

This film showed how wonderful Matt Shepard was, and how brutally he was murdered. Although somewhat inaccurate, for the most part, it was terrific. Every actor involved did a great job portraying their characters. I watch this movie whenever it comes on MTV, but change it when they re-enact the murder. This scene is truly heartbreaking, more so if you knew more about it. Another difficult scene to watch is when they show the real footage of mourners, and protesters. After seeing this movie, you will understand how hard it can be in life. You'll probably want to know more, too.

asherjdoak

A movie that needed to be shown

This was a very good movie and I'm glad that people know the truth about what happened that night. The one thing that sticks out in my mind, however, was when one of Matthew's killers, particularly, the guy who did the attack, spewed all that garbage about Matthew feeling his leg and all that when it clearly shows that that never happened. It just made me sick that someone could attack someone just because they're gay or whatever and not only show no remorse but also lie about what happened. I was glad that that big Mexican guy walloped him with a lead pipe because that indicated that what goes around comes around. I hope Matthew is at peace now and that his family and friends have found the will to go on.

TBelton1

A Fairly Good Drama

I really enjoyed this made for TV MTV special; and I thought it was a fairly accurate depiction of the real life tragedy. I could have done without the first person comments (supposedly coming from the late Matthew Sheppard) as we don't really know what he would be saying. As for the acting, I'll give a big thumbs up to actor Ian Somerhalder who played the part of one of the murders, Russell Henderson. He played the part so well in fact that I almost found myself feeling some sympathy for the character (Henderson) who was more or less bullied by the other perpertrator who actually did the killing. Somerhalder is just hard to dislike I suppose. The other killer was easy enough to dispise though. Overall, I would give the movie an 8 of 10 rating; now if MTV will just put it out on DVD/VHS.