Rare Documentary Offers Intriguing Peek at Court

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 3, 2009 1:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – C-SPAN's new documentary on the Supreme Court is both "unprecedented and surprisingly moving," writes Hank Stuever, and even court junkies are bound to learn something new. Bombshells? Not so much, but it's the first time that all current and retired living justices have given individual interviews for the same film. The documentary, which airs tomorrow night, is "bland and thrilling all at once."

The justices "say almost nothing revealing," writes Stuever in the Washington Post, and that's fine. We do get to see the robing room for the first time, where everyone plays nice, even if "miffed because you received a spicy dissenting opinion," says Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And there's this gem: Antonin Scalia confesses that it's "quite rare, although not unheard of" that attorney arguments influence his opinion.

[Images (3)]

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The newest version of the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak. FILE)

Chief Justice John Roberts, left, and Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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If nothing else, it's rare to see some of them move and speak up close. - Hank Stuever, Washington Post

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

Thinker

Oct 4, 2009 10:37 AM CDT

Right on target! How could anyone give you a thumbs down on that one? Remember this? "This Court has never held that the Constitution forbids the execution of a convicted defendant who had a full and fair trial but is later able to convince a habeas court that he is 'actually' innocent."

Al_Boe

Oct 4, 2009 6:56 AM CDT

I am very excited to see this documentary. Always been very interested in the supreme court system, and an inside look like this sounds great.

nick

Oct 4, 2009 3:35 AM CDT

Scalia: My mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts. What a pity that this man EVER became a judge!

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documentary • US Supreme Court • C-SPAN • documentary film • Supreme Court justice

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