Summary: Every day, more than 150 men are processed, paroled and released from the Walls Unit in Hunstville, Texas, a small conservative town home to nine state prisons. "Huntsville Prison Blues" documents a typical release day.
This is one of the best documentaries, of any length, I've ever heard. Edits convey the voices of several men to reveal their individual paths and characters while simultaneously underscoring their larger relation to a group. Brilliantly. At times, brief silences carry extra-ordinary impact and/or segue power. Women who have waited for the men's release speak from the depths of their souls. The woman who thanks God for the return of one man simply has to be heard. She will turn you inside-out. This piece deserves to be aired repeatedly, over time. It will engage the largest and most varied audience imaginable. If it were taken into the schools, I believe radio producers of the future would say "Huntsville Prison Blues inspired me to choose the career I'm in."
--Eric Brotman
This piece is exceptional. The story is told through the voices of prisoners being released, and their families. It is an incredible talent that can produce such a piece without having to use any narration. The piece also puts a human emphasis on what many would consider the outcasts of society.
I hate to sound like the president of Long Haul productions' fan club but this piece is pretty amazing. In less than ten minutes, we go from prisoners counting off their names and i.d. numbers in roll call through their release into the world again and their reunions with loved ones. It's all done through sound with no reporter telling us what to think and what to picture, and it's mesmerizing. It's as if we're one of the prisoners going through all these emotional and physical changes - total immersion. The piece is described as documenting a "typical release day" but this piece is anything but typical. Though it was made four years ago, it's still topical and riveting. I don't think this piece just specific to Hunstville and would apply for any listener across the country.
Comments for Huntsville Prison Blues
This piece belongs to the series "Waiting it Out Series"
Produced by Dan Collison
Other pieces by Long Haul Productions
Rating Summary
3 comments
Eric Brotman
Posted on March 03, 2006 at 11:42 AM | Permalink
Review of Huntsville Prison Blues
This is one of the best documentaries, of any length, I've ever heard. Edits convey the voices of several men to reveal their individual paths and characters while simultaneously underscoring their larger relation to a group. Brilliantly. At times, brief silences carry extra-ordinary impact and/or segue power. Women who have waited for the men's release speak from the depths of their souls. The woman who thanks God for the return of one man simply has to be heard. She will turn you inside-out. This piece deserves to be aired repeatedly, over time. It will engage the largest and most varied audience imaginable. If it were taken into the schools, I believe radio producers of the future would say "Huntsville Prison Blues inspired me to choose the career I'm in."
--Eric Brotman
D. Brent Miller
Posted on January 15, 2006 at 07:13 AM | Permalink
Review of Huntsville Prison Blues
This piece is exceptional. The story is told through the voices of prisoners being released, and their families. It is an incredible talent that can produce such a piece without having to use any narration. The piece also puts a human emphasis on what many would consider the outcasts of society.
Dmae Lo Roberts
Posted on September 16, 2005 at 07:45 AM | Permalink
Review of Huntsville Prison Blues
I hate to sound like the president of Long Haul productions' fan club but this piece is pretty amazing. In less than ten minutes, we go from prisoners counting off their names and i.d. numbers in roll call through their release into the world again and their reunions with loved ones. It's all done through sound with no reporter telling us what to think and what to picture, and it's mesmerizing. It's as if we're one of the prisoners going through all these emotional and physical changes - total immersion. The piece is described as documenting a "typical release day" but this piece is anything but typical. Though it was made four years ago, it's still topical and riveting. I don't think this piece just specific to Hunstville and would apply for any listener across the country.