The Killing of America

The Killing of America is a 1980 documentary film directed by Sheldon Renan, which delves into the darker aspects of American society in the late 20th century. The documentary paints a bleak picture of a nation experiencing significant turmoil and decline, featuring a plethora of unsettling footage that captures the nation's descent into chaos. The film commences with a series of disturbing images, showcasing violent and destructive outbursts that marred the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, a period known as the country's most turbulent decades. It opens with footage of the 1965 Watts riots, one of Los Angeles's most devastating civil unrests, in which six days of intense clashes between African American protesters and law enforcement left 34 people dead, over 1,000 injured, and countless buildings reduced to ashes. This chaotic sequence serves as a somber introduction to the widespread social and racial unrest that would plague America in the years to follow. The Killing of America takes viewers on a dark journey through America's troubled landscape, showcasing numerous instances of senseless violence, lawlessness, and depravity. It explores the era of serial killers who preyed on innocent lives, often under the veil of societal tolerance and permissiveness. Notable examples from this period include the murders of Edmund Kemper, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and others, each with their own unique brand of brutality and malevolence. These segments showcase how the lack of effective law enforcement and lax social regulations allowed these heinous individuals to wreak havoc on an already fragile society. Furthermore, the documentary delves into the world of racial tensions and hate crimes, highlighting instances like the Kerner Commission Report (1968), which exposed deep-seated racial biases within law enforcement, thus fueling further civil unrest. The film also touches upon the rising tide of anti-war protests, fueled by the Vietnam War, which led to widespread social disorder, protests, and even violent clashes with authorities. Another key theme explored in The Killing of America is the escalating rate of violent crime, including a rise in gang-related violence, particularly in urban areas. As police forces often struggled to quell these outbreaks effectively, many inner-city communities descended into an abyss of fear and desperation, setting the stage for the social disintegration that characterized much of this era. This atmosphere of dread fostered a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment, not only among the law-abiding public but also among government officials, prompting a renewed focus on law and order and crime-fighting measures. However, despite highlighting the many ills besetting America at the time, The Killing of America does not shy away from exploring the complexities and nuances surrounding social and cultural trends. The film touches upon the country's growing social fragmentation, the increasing distrust of institutions, and the breakdown of traditional family structures and values. It presents a multifaceted examination of these interconnected problems, underscoring the multifaceted reasons behind this era of widespread disillusionment. In its unbridled portrayal of America's decay, The Killing of America challenges viewers to confront their own complicity in perpetuating societal ills. Through its graphic and emotionally charged portrayal, the documentary offers a searing critique of the very social fabric of a nation, revealing the deep-seated flaws that led to its precipitous decline. Ultimately, the film presents a poignant reminder that America's darkness is inextricably linked to the darker aspects of human nature, and that the most pernicious threat to society's very foundations lies within itself, not from without. The Killing of America is an unsettling but thought-provoking portrayal of a nation's collective moral decay, presenting a stark, unvarnished portrait of societal breakdown and the destructive impact it has on the world around it.