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Movie poster for "Wisconsin Death Trip." Three images along top - woman looking scared looks at her hand, boy with bag over his head as mask with man on horse in background. Old man possibly in strait-jacket. Main image, woman in 1890s dress and hat stands in front of house, possibly on fire. It's unclear as all the images are black and white.

Hidden GemAha! What a treasure you found. This is a hidden gem: a well-loved recommendation off the beaten path. You should be proud of yourself.

Wisconsin Death Trip

Recommended by: Jen Howell

Release Year: 1999

Runtime: 76 min

Genres: Documentary

The Pitch: This narrative documentary adapts Michael Lesy's book, which documented true events that took place in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and in the rest of the state, during the 1890s. True to its title, it focuses on death in its various forms; but also tells stories of superstition, mental illness, and daily life that fascinate both with their strangeness and their parallels to modern America.

Ratings

Funny: Light Comedy

Scary: Not Scary

Sadness: Pretty Sad

Pacing: Slow-Burn

More from Jen Howell

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Poster for "The Secret of Roan Inish." A young girl in mid-20th century clothing, walks in the water on the shore of the sea. A seal stands right in front of her.

The Secret of Roan Inish

Movie poster for The Company of Wolves. Full moon in background. A girl dressed as Red Riding Hood. In the foreground a shirtless man is transforming into a wolf, the wolf's head emerging from his mouth.

The Company of Wolves

Poster for movie "Torso" red background, with terrified girl in nightgown descending stairs, inside the image of a saw held by a gloved man.

Torso

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