The Witmans (2020 TV Movie) User Reviews

Just so you know - this is NOT a documentary ...

[monikamarie · 1/10 · 25 September 2021]

... It's two delusional parents who have somehow convinced themselves that one son did not kill the other - in the face of overwhelming, undeniable evidence. I can't imagine the pain these people are in, but ... even the early childhood movies show the killer bullying his future victim, with the mom warning him over and over to stop. But he never does. In the 911 recording, he sounds like he's fighting not to laugh. WHAT?! All my compassion is for the son whose life was taken away, not the murderer who is in jail forever - as he should be. He should NEVER get out.

Just..wow!

[Michele7169 · 4/10 · 8 January 2021]

First, you cannot help but to hurt for these parents who lost one son to a very violent murder...but then to know their other son committed the crime. It is absolutely chilling the denial the parents are in. They believe their son is innocent. The evidence of his guilt is so overwhelming. How you can continue to defend a vicious murderer..no matter who he is..is beyond me. Who was fighting for the victim? Completely innocent 13 year old boy who barely got in the door After school before being murdered by his OWN brother. People blaming the "system " when this kid was a spoiled..very loved above middle class kid. Sorry..but it's NOT the system. It's parents never believing their child could EVER do wrong even when all evidence points towards his guilt. It's a society where parents make excuses instead of discipline. Very sad story. Documentary was pretty good though.

Not a documentary

[camden2622 · 1/10 · 26 September 2021]

I agree with the previous reviewers, this is a story of 2 parents in denial that their son has murdered his brother. The father seems more angry that he has no one else to blame for their tragedy.. We never hear a single word from the accused in a police interview, testimony, or even after his release. Nor do we ever hear about any credible alternate suspect. The ID channel was never grade A documentary programming but this is just one-sided crap.

Sad Denial

[lisa-silvestri · 3/10 · 27 May 2022]

Sadly, these parents are in complete denial that their son killed his younger brother. In a way, I can certainly empathize. What parent wants to believe such a nightmare could ever occur, let alone in their own home? This may be the best way that they know how to handle their immense pain and carry on living.

I am going to judge their opinion and unfortunately, we didn't really get to hear or see all of the evidence. What we do see o the evidence though, is pretty damning.

This documentary is mostly about the parents and their feelings. Just tragic for everyone concerned.

I felt very uncomfortable watching this. Nothing interesting here, just the parents never ending mourning.

Not your average 'true crime' documentary.

[dlynch843 · 8/10 · 5 December 2020]

This kept me interested all the way through. The parents of the accused son are the main characters, and they make a compelling story. They way the story is told, it makes for a 'is he or isn't he guilty' of killing his brother. It's up to the viewer. Only flaw---we need to hear more from Zack, the accused brother. There are no 're-enactments' or actors playing the real people, and that's a relief.

Heart breaking but biased

[CharlotteSometimez · 1/10 · 29 June 2023]

I feel for the parents, losing a son at the hands of the other. It's unimaginable. But these parents are in extreme denial. This documentary is very biased and does not present all the facts of the crime. Despite a sometimes lacking police investigation, there has never been any viable evidence that points to another suspect. This crime was borne of anger and passion. Zack may have mostly gotten along with his brother throughout their lives, but on that day he snapped. Zachs inability to be honest has caused so much damage and trauma to his parents. Perhaps they could have grieved Greg and been able to live a more peaceful life together if he had told them the truth after the crime. It's frightening that a teen who brutally attacked his brother to the point of near decapitation now walks among us.

Devastating tragedy but parents who will never accept the truth

[kmwehri · 1/10 · 14 March 2024]

This is not a documentary. It's a movie which is completely biased about two parents who are in absolute denial of believing their son is capable of committing such a horrible act. They asked their son one time. Did you kill your brother and his "no" was good enough for them to believe he was innocent, despite overwhelming evidence that he actually did kill his brother. From an unbiased standpoint, the 911 call sounded so fake, the home movies that were shown showed the kid who was mean to his little brother and wouldn't stop bullying him despite the mother continually threatening "one more time and you're going to bed" yet he continued to disobey her . There was nothing that showed anyone else was involved and even though the parent say that their son loved his brother and they got along, on THIS day, he snapped and he did the unthinkable. It's sad that everyone sees it BUT his parents. I wish the kid would just be honest and give them a little closure and time to grieve. They are so Convinced their son is innocent, and are willing to stand up for him, but no one is standing up for the victim. A poor eighth grade boy, who is almost decapitated. I work in a high school and I see upper middle-class kids doing bad things and lying and their parents completely defending them and then having no accountability for their actions. It's just sad these days.