The Thin Blue Line
1988 · 103 min · Director: Errol Morris
Show plot summary (may contain spoilers)
Errol Morris's unique documentary dramatically re-enacts the crime scene and investigation of a police officer's murder in Dallas, Texas. Briefly, a drifter (Randall Adams) ran out of gas and was picked up by a 16-year-old runaway (David Harris). Later that night, they drank some beer, smoked some marijuana, and went to the movies. Then, their stories diverged. Adams claimed that he left for his motel, where he was staying with his brother, and went to sleep. Harris, however, said that they were stopped by police late that night, and Adams suddenly shot the officer approaching their car. The film shows the audience the evidence gathered by the police, who were under extreme pressure to clear the case. It strongly makes a point that the circumstantial evidence was very flimsy. In fact, it becomes apparent that Harris was a much more likely suspect and was in the middle of a crime spree, eventually ending up on Death Row himself for the later commission of other crimes. Morris implies that the DA's and the judge's desire for the death penalty in this case (for which Harris would have been ineligible because of his youth) made Adams a scapegoat on whom to pin this heinous crime.
Emotional fingerprint
The Thin Blue Line (1988) — Movie. Top emotional signals: Curiosity 30%, Anxiety 25%, Confusion 20%. Source: AI estimate. Shares describe emotional signal, not percentages of people. Your experience may differ. How we measure
AI estimate · no viewer votes yet
How we measure
AI estimate
Share of emotional signal, not the percentage of people or a probability of enjoyment.
Each viewer contributes one response, split equally across their selected emotions. When available, an automated estimate supplies a prior that is blended with those responses. Counts include distinct viewers, not automated estimates or archived anonymous votes. Fewer than 3 viewers is an early estimate; more responses do not guarantee certainty.
Why it feels this way
The strongest emotional signals are Curiosity, Anxiety, Confusion. Genres: Documentary, Crime. AI estimate.
Is it worth watching?
Consider this title if you are looking for Curiosity, Anxiety and Confusion. Its IMDb rating of 7.9/10 suggests a generally positive audience reception. For these leading emotions, its Feel Score is 74/100.
How did it make you feel?
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Pick up to three · 0/3
Emotional journey
- Curiosity
- Disturbing
- Tension
Not enough subtitle evidence
No dominant emotion
Dominant emotion: Curiosity
Dominant emotion: Tension
Dominant emotion: Disturbing
Dominant emotion: Empathy
Dominant emotion: Sadness
Dominant emotion
| % | Approximate minute | Dominant emotion | Overall intensity | Curiosity | Disturbing | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 % | ≈ 3′ | Curiosity | 45 % | 43 % | 28 % | 35 % |
| 7.5 % | ≈ 8′ | Tension | 57 % | 46 % | 46 % | 51 % |
| 12.5 % | ≈ 13′ | Disturbing | 63 % | 51 % | 55 % | 55 % |
| 17.5 % | ≈ 18′ | Curiosity | 54 % | 54 % | 43 % | 45 % |
| 22.5 % | ≈ 23′ | Curiosity | 45 % | 50 % | 26 % | 36 % |
| 27.5 % | ≈ 28′ | Curiosity | 45 % | 50 % | 24 % | 32 % |
| 32.5 % | ≈ 33′ | Curiosity | 51 % | 50 % | 38 % | 38 % |
| 37.5 % | ≈ 39′ | Disturbing | 56 % | 51 % | 46 % | 45 % |
| 42.5 % | ≈ 44′ | Curiosity | 56 % | 59 % | 40 % | 46 % |
| 47.5 % | ≈ 49′ | Curiosity | 54 % | 60 % | 38 % | 43 % |
| 52.5 % | ≈ 54′ | Curiosity | 53 % | 55 % | 41 % | 40 % |
| 57.5 % | ≈ 59′ | Curiosity | 59 % | 49 % | 50 % | 45 % |
| 62.5 % | ≈ 64′ | Disturbing | 71 % | 41 % | 65 % | 54 % |
| 67.5 % | ≈ 70′ | Disturbing | 74 % | 38 % | 65 % | 51 % |
| 72.5 % | ≈ 75′ | Empathy | 65 % | 43 % | 51 % | 40 % |
| 77.5 % | ≈ 80′ | Curiosity | 59 % | 50 % | 48 % | 39 % |
| 82.5 % | ≈ 85′ | Curiosity | 56 % | 51 % | 50 % | 44 % |
| 87.5 % | ≈ 90′ | Curiosity | 59 % | 44 % | 45 % | 36 % |
| 92.5 % | ≈ 95′ | Sadness | 65 % | 33 % | 37 % | 22 % |
| 97.5 % | ≈ 100′ | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence |
Riches to rags
Rags to riches: The emotional tone rises from negative to positive.
Riches to rags: The emotional tone falls from positive to negative.
Man in a hole: The tone falls, then recovers.
Icarus: The tone rises, then falls.
Cinderella: The tone rises, falls, then rises again.
Oedipus: The tone falls, rises, then falls again.
AI reading of the film’s English subtitles (dialogue and sound cues) — not viewer votes. How we measure ↗
Afterward Reveal viewer responses · may contain spoilers
Viewer responses about feelings after the title ended, separate from feelings while watching. No AI estimates.
0 responses so far
Feeling details appear after at least 3 viewers respond, to protect privacy.
Cast
Self
Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
Self - Internal Affairs Investigator in Dallas
Self - Police Detective in Vidor
Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
Self - Defense Attorney
Self - Defense Attorney
Self - The Judge
Self - Surprise Eyewitness
Self - Surprise Eyewitness
Self - Employee at Fas-Gas
Self - Third Surprise Eyewitness
Self - Appellate Attorney
Self - Randall Adams' Brother (archive footage)
Self - Gangster (archive footage)
Details
- Directed by
- Errol Morris
- Written by
- Errol Morris
- Type
- Movies
- Released
- 1988
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Country
- United States
- Genres
- Documentary, Crime
- Ratings
- Feels mostly
- Curiosity
- Data updated
Where to watch
Subscription
Rent
Feels similar
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