A convicted murderer (Nick Yarris) who has spent 23 years on Death Row tells his story. Yarris tells his own story, in the style of a one-man show. In a non-linear structure, he reveals his early life, youthful transgressions, arrest, and time on death row, with several twists and turns.

This is definitely a "one man show". Although some sounds and images are added, it really amounts to 90 minutes of one man telling his life story. And he is an amazing speaker. You might think that someone who had a history of drug problems and who spent most of his life in prison would be a fool, but Yarris proves that assumption wrong. He claims to have read 1,000 books in three years, and it shows -- the language really rubbed off on him! This is definitely a must-see for anyone who is interested in the American justice system, both the good and the bad.

Nick Yarris does a great job in this biography / documentary, telling his story. It's both captivating and emotional, and luckily has a good ending. The editing and filming of the documentary really compliment the experience of listening to his story. Well made.

On the face of it, a documentary that spends a full hour and a half sitting with one guy as he talks to the camera doesn't sound all that interesting. Yet THE FEAR OF 13 turns out to be stark, compelling and ultimately moving viewing, because the interview subject has one hell of a story to tell.

In essence, this is a story of Death Row and the life and death struggle that takes place within. Nick Yarris was sent down in the 1980s, but his life story incorporates much more than a simple tale of life behind bars. There's action in the form of thrilling police chases, a murder mystery, courtroom drama, a blistering critique of the American justice system, and finally catharsis of sorts.

Director David Sington commendably avoids tricks for the most part, content for Yarris to tell his own story in his own words - after all, it needs no embellishment. There are a couple of flashbacks and some evocative music and sound to fit the theme, and it all works. THE FEAR OF 13 is a fine piece of film-making and one that deserves to be seen by all.