The Execution of Wanda Jean
Cast
Wanda Jean Allen Jesse Jackson David Presson
Credits
Cinematography: Tony Hardmon
Music: Wendy Blackstone Thomas Newman
Editing: Mary Manhardt
Produced by: 
Liz Garbus Rory Kennedy
Plot
The Execution of Wanda Jean chronicles the life-and-death battle of Wanda Jean Allen, the first black woman to be put to death in the United States in the modern era.
Sinekatalog’s take
A documentary tracing the final fight over the life of a woman facing execution. It handles race, justice and mental limitation with seriousness and empathy. Powerful, upsetting viewing for anyone concerned with the death penalty.Sinekatalog’s own editorial review – not a user or critic quote.
Ratings
IMDb: 7.3 / 10 (269 votes)
IMDb rating and vote count from the IMDb ratings dataset (October 2026). Scores change over time.
If you liked this
Picked by director, genre, era and shared cast. Titles only, no spoilers.
- Love, Marilyn 2013 · Liz Garbus · IMDb 7.2 · Same director
- Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds 2016 · Alexis Bloom · IMDb 7.9 · Viewers also liked
- The Nazi Officer's Wife 2003 · Liz Garbus · IMDb 7.3 · Same director
- Heart of a Dog 2015 · Laurie Anderson · IMDb 7.0 · Viewers also liked
- Lost Boys of Sudan 2003 · Jon Shenk · IMDb 7.5 · Same movement
- Life and Debt 2001 · Stephanie Black · IMDb 7.4 · Same movement