Sacco and Vanzetti
Film review: Sacco and Vanzetti

IMPORTANT: Please do not include any quotes directly from any resources. This paper is going to submit to Turnitin website so please no direct quotes. The detailed guidelines, requirement, sample film review and resources regarding this paper are uploaded. Please be sure to look on those files and follow the format before start writing the essay. Thank you very much!

The paper should be at least 1500 words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzEZs56w8BU

Please paste in the questions and then type your answers under each question. A sample film review is uploaded so you can follow the format.

Please answer the following questions:

A. Introduction

1. Give the name of film, producer and the year.
2. Why did you select this film for your review?
3. Have you seen it before?
If so, how did a second viewing help in your understanding or enjoyment?
4. What was the film’s purpose or thesis? Was it clear or did you have to infer it?
5. Who is the primary audience for this film?
B. Relevance to coursework

1. How does this film relate to what you are learning the SS1A course lectures or readings? This is a very important question- think about it. Scroll through the study guides and pick out topics that relate to the film.
2. Then, answer this: Which specific social science concepts, from this class or your readings, are helpful for understanding the film?

C. Reflection

1. What was your reaction to this film – first as yourself and second as a social scientist?
2. Were you surprised, shocked, or disappointed by any parts of the film?
3. Were there any important omissions that you feel would improve the film?
4. How might this film impact others different from you (i.e. gender, ethnicity, culture, etc.)?

D. Film-Specific Questions:

Film: Sacco and Vanzetti

This is the compelling story of two Italian immigrants – admitted anarchists – on trial for robbery. The Sacco-Vanzetti case personified the fear Americans had in immigrants, anarchists, communism, and other political radicals. As these two men were both immigrants and admitted to being anarchists and dodging the drafts, however, their guilt of the crimes is still debated today.
At the end of your documentary review, connecting the film to course content, please address these questions.

1. How did the case become so important?

2. What was the Red Scare?

3. What is the difference between communism and anarchy?

4. What light does the trial, the appeals, and the protests, shed upon the “Great Red Scare” of 1919-1920?

5. Do you believe that the social tensions of the period prevented Sacco and Vanzetti from getting a fair trial? Why or why not?

6. How did the Sacco and Vanzetti case show that civil rights and liberties may suffer during periods of social unrest?

7. What do you think of Judge Thayer’s statement, “This man, although he may not actually have committed the crime attributed to him, is nevertheless morally culpable because he is the enemy of our existing institutions”?

8. What role did the First Amendment play in the Sacco and Vanzetti case?

9. What was Vanzetti’s message in his final words?

10. Are there any lessons for us today from this case?