(2007)
Directed by John Borowski
Narrated by Tony Jay

I have never been a big fan of documentaries on true life crime and serial killers. Maybe a little history of Jack the Ripper might peak my interests every now and then, but I’ve never really delved into too much detail. Maybe since it is real, and not the fiction or alternate reality we succumb to while watching a movie, it makes it more disturbing and even harder to just walk away from.

Some time ago, I got a chance to see this documentary by John Borowski on H.H. Holmes, the first real American serial killer. While again, this wasn’t my particular forte, I watched it anyway. I was not only drawn into the history of this psychotic and amazed at the things he had done back in the late 1800’s, but also the style that Borowski told the tale of this demented person. From using grainy black and white re-enactments, it gave an interesting look and feel to this already dark story.

When I heard that Borowski’s next documentary was one the notorious Albert Fish, I was excited to see if he could use this style once again. I knew a little about Fish and his exploits, enough to know that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know more detail. After watching this documentary, I was in shock. I thought I’d heard enough about Gein, Gacy, and the others to prepare myself for the atrocities of Mr. Fish. I was wrong.

After viewing this 86-minute documentary, I have to say that this was one of the most disturbing films that I’ve seen. The film is really not visually graphic at all, but the things that Fish did to others, not to mention himself, that is simply and utterly horrifying. Hearing Fish’s own words from a confession letter to the mother of one of his victims, a 10-year-old girl, is something that I will never forget.

This actual letter is in the possession of artist and Odditorium owner Joe Coleman, who is interviewed in this documentary. I would have thought that someone collecting such items is either a sick-minded person or is doing it for the exploitation aspect of it. But Coleman talks with great authority on the subject and actually makes some very good points as to why people need to remember Albert Fish. And that he was, after all, still a human being. No matter what most would think of him after what he did. There is still much to be learned.

Also interviewed in the documentary is renowned true-crime author Katherine Ramsland, who gives us some pretty good insight into this sick mind of Mr. Fish. Though, I couldn’t help but notice on her bookshelf behind her, there was a copy of one of those Idiot’s Guides to Criminal Investigations or something like that.

The documentary goes into great detail on Fish’s life, including him being raised in an orphanage, where he was abused with multiple beatings. After a while, he started to enjoy them. So even at a young age, we start to see where his strange tastes started. We follow Fish from there throughout his life, during his marriage and raising a family. All the time, leading this double life of a sadist, masochist, murderer, deviant, and cannibal.

For someone who is looking for a fun “horror movie” to enjoy, I would avoid this one. But if you want an excellent, yet frightening look into the mind of one that I would call the most demented humans in history, then I think you will find this film fascinating and also very unforgettable.

The DVD comes with interviews with the director, the Murder Metal Band Macabre, Nico Claux, the vampire of Paris, as well as the history of the electric chair, deleted scenes and outtakes, trailers, productions stills, and more.

For more information about this film, go to the director’s website HERE.

: