2016 was a very particular year in the legacy of O.J Simpson, sports star, movie star, alleged murderer, author and convicted robber. It’s not that anything major happened within the life of O.J Simpson this year, however two major pieces of media were released, both of a very high quality placing a major re-interest into the life of Simpson, in particular the murder trial of 1994 that shaped his entire legacy. The first was the FX miniseries from Ryan Murphy, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski; The People Vs. O.J Simpson. A rightly celebrated less objective view of the whole trial, filled to the brim with stellar performances, dynamic direction and writing that although sometimes sensationalised the truth, never lost sight of the undeniable facts of those couple of years. Also released that year however was the ESPN documentary O.J: Made in America, a film by Ezra Edelman. This sprawling masterpiece of documentary film-making went on to take home the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and became rather quickly one of the most critically celebrated films, never mind documentaries, of the decade. Frankly, I couldn’t agree more. Despite its 467 minute (7hr 47mins) running time, I often struggle to not finish the entire thing in one or two sittings after I start it again. Despite it’s frank and disturbing subject matter, the great tragedy of Simpson’s life and the surrounding and pivotal context of American History that Edelman brings into the film makes for an absolutely enthralling and annihilating piece of film-making that I will always return to and never forget.

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There are elements of the Simpson story that we all know collectively and even if we don’t persay have an extensive knowledge we do have a moderate grasp on the murder trial and the sports celebrity that fuelled the case to become so instantly famous. However as much as Edelman is telling the story of Simpson, it is clear from the very beginning that he is using Simpson as a vehicle to discuss an entire history of Race and Celebrity in America, through one of the most interesting and complex tales of our time. Whereas the mini-series and other documentaries on the subject spend little time solidifying a concept of Simpson’s stardom, Edelman allows us to really explore the early success and early life of Simpson over the course of 90 minutes in the films first part. When I tell people that the film is just short of 8 hours long, they do often guffaw, but frankly anybody who has seen the film never once comments on the length of it, for they understand the power and necessity of the time we spend in the first two parts and the allowance of context that leads to everything being told as we continue to be far more impactful. For in this context we not only find the truth of the matter, if it can be deciphered, but also the tragedy of Simpson and one might hyperbolically comment America itself. Many with a knowledge of the case understand that race played an integral part, however Edelman takes us through the infamously widespread history of police brutality through the decades prior to the trial within L.A and the rest of America, also touching on elements of racism beyond America also. It also might sound redundant but the amount of people interviewed, specifically the amount close to Simpson at pivotal points allows for an undeniably enthralling portrait of the figure. Edelman frequently takes no side in any matter and always allows for multiple interviewees to corroborate, juxtapose or frankly dismiss other people’s words and comments. But Edelman never loses sight of those that have been most affected by this story, chiefly Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, even at the earliest points in the film before they have entered the world of “The Juice”, Edelman incorporates them through footage, photos and comments from those who knew them best. It really is a deeply effecting documentary in almost every regard, all underscored by Gary Lionelli’s score that perfectly imbues intensity, melancholy and dread into the tale being told.

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There is a very large and rather pedantic conversation surrounding whether or not the film is a mini-series of a film, with it being told in 6 parts of 90 minutes length, with two noted intermissions. When presented on TV the film was indeed shown over multiple nights, as one would present a mini-series, however Edelman did campaign with the film being shown in one long sitting, with the noted intermissions, leading it to be nominated for the Oscar. After this minor controversy, the Academy made moves to change their rulings to “outlaw multi-part or limited series” for nomination. However for me, I have always distinctly understood Edelman’s view on the matter, as I previously stated I usually view the thing in one sitting. For as much as the film is told and segmented into chapters, it really does tell its story as one longer point to point story. The piece is a whole, rather than multiple episodes, which is why I feel the Oscar was certainly more than deserving. The editing in fact of Bret Granato, Maya Mumma and Ben Sozanski frequently take great pleasure in reincorporating moments and flashes from previous earlier moments, reconceptualising and re-contextualising them with the newfound knowledge we have just been told. It is this constant adaptation of what Simpson’s story means in American History that is what makes the film the film it is, and I do feel that much of the power of many of these edits would be lost in the nightly presentation, as opposed to the one sitting view of things. Made in America just contains so much that I am always baffled by how neatly constructed and perfectly delivered it’s story is told. ESPN films described the film as “the defining cultural tale of modern America – a saga of race, celebrity, media, violence and the criminal justice system” – I don’t think I can do justice and attempt to put the film into one more concise and deliberate sentence.

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The greatest documentary that I have personally ever seen, this astounding chronicle of one of the most infamous celebrities of all time, just clocks in 13 minutes under 8 hours and is absolutely riveting for the entirety of its running time. An absolute glorious achievement in documentary film-making from Edelman. The film is a detailed and excellently told recalling of the entire life of O.J Simpson so far and is absolutely undeniably enthralling. But where the film succeeds most is it’s juxtaposing story that it’s telling, chronicling the plight of many black people under police brutality and the American regime itself, beside O.J’s story adds vital context and makes the piece all the more fascinating and astounding. A truly incredible piece of film-making.

-        -  Thomas Carruthers