Watch Last Day of Freedom

Last Day of Freedom is a touching and poignant animated documentary that tells the true story of Bill Babbitt, a Vietnam War veteran, and the tragic events that led to him eventually becoming an anti-death penalty activist. The film begins with an animated sequence showing us the formative years of Bill and his younger brother Manny. Their childhood was tumultuous, with an abusive father and a mother who struggled to provide for them. As a result, Bill joined the Marines and was sent to Vietnam, where he witnessed and committed terrible acts of violence. After returning home, he attempted to assimilate back into society, but the trauma of war haunted him, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

Years later, Manny began displaying erratic behavior, and Bill and his wife Frances became increasingly concerned for his safety. Manny's behavior eventually led to him being arrested for the murder of an elderly woman. The evidence against him was circumstantial, and there was no physical evidence tying him to the crime. However, the jury convicted him, and he was sentenced to death.

The crux of the film is Bill's struggle to come to terms with the fact that his brother was executed by the state, and the devastating impact it has had on him and his family. Bill reveals to us how he grappled with whether or not he should turn his brother in, and the guilt he has carried with him ever since. The film touches upon the flawed justice system and our society's approach to punishing those convicted of heinous crimes.

What sets Last Day of Freedom apart from other documentaries on similar themes is the use of animation. The directors Dee Hibbert-Jones and Nomi Talisman have taken an innovative approach that seamlessly blends the personal story of Bill, and his brother Manny, with stunning and striking animation. The film is a mix of hand-drawn, stop-motion, and computer-generated images, all of which create a mesmerizing effect that draws you in and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.

The filmmakers used a technique called 'rotoscoping', which involves tracing over live-action footage frame by frame to create an animated image. This process imbues the animation with a unique sense of humanity and adds an emotional depth that would have been difficult to achieve with live-action footage alone.

Another standout feature of the film is the use of voice-over. Bill narrates the story himself, with the filmmakers cleverly using his recorded phone calls to friends and family as a means to deliver the dialogue. This technique creates an intimacy between the viewer and Bill, and we are left with the sense that we have been let into a private space, hearing a personal story from a trusted friend.

Last Day of Freedom is a powerful and important film that tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and empathy. It is a moving tribute to Manny Babbitt, and his memory is honoured and respected throughout. The story of Bill Babbitt raises uncomfortable questions about the morality of the death penalty and leaves us to question whether it is time to re-evaluate our current policies on punishing criminals.

In conclusion, Last Day of Freedom is an exceptional film and an excellent example of the power of animation to tell real-life stories. It is a heartbreaking account of personal tragedy and the enduring legacy of war, leaving the viewer with much to contemplate long after it has finished. It is a film that demands to be seen, and its message remains incredibly relevant today.

Last Day of Freedom is a 2015 animated movie with a runtime of 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.