When arrested the immigrant, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, was initially evasive.
He finally stuck to a story that he had acquired the money from a fellow
immigrant who left him a box for safekeeping while on a voyage back to
Germany. When that man died in Europe owing Hauptmann money, he opened the
box and discovered the cash. Figuring that this would serve as repayment
Hauptmann hid the money not telling his wife or other friends owed money by
the dead man. The police found this story unlikely and coupled with
Hauptmann's initial falsehoods under questioning they became convinced that
Hauptmann had been the killer and kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby.

The case gave the nation and the world the first "Trial of the Century". A
circus like atmosphere existed outside the courtroom with food and souvenirs
for sale to the excitable crowd. The evidence presented was circumstantial
but convincing to the jury. The defense maintained that much of it was
doctored or coerced by the police; this was not convincing to the jury. The
verdict was guilty and the sentence was death.

Hauptmann was subjected to the ultimate penalty in 1936. But since that date
the datable has raged on. There are many who are remain convinced by
Hauptmann declarations of innocence and believe that he was railroaded to
protect the careers of those who could not find the real killers. The more
mainstream view holds that Hauptmann was in fact guilty of participation in
the kidnapping.

This movie is firmly on the side of Hauptmann. He is shown as an immigrant
who is always hustling for a better life for his family who is chosen as a
convenient victim for the justice establishment. His view of how he got the
money is taken as fact and his brave stance maintaining his innocence costs
him all possible lenience. Hauptmann's wife insists that 'the truth shall
set you free' and is determined to prove that her husband was innocent of the
crime.

It is hard to say that any movie with Isabella Rossellini is not the best,
however this movie does have some serious flaws. While made in the 90s the
producers seem to feel that it was necessary to have the actors act like it
was a 1930s gangster movie. Most of the 'bad guys' (The police and DA) are
just a little too into playing the tough guys and a little too uninterested
in discovering the facts of the case. It sets a jarring note that continues
throughout the whole movie.

It is possible that there were shady dealings and a rush to judgement. But
some facts are indisputable. Hauptmann was found possessing $14,000 of
ransom money. He did lie to the Police and the Lindbergh baby was dead.
Some facts are undoubtedly lost to history forever, but this does not give
the producers the right to make them up and then package them as history.