'Changeling': Fact behind the Fiction
He loved the media attention he got at the trial, grandstanding and sending detectives on wild goose chases in search of more bodies. He undertook his own defence after firing three court-appointed defence attorneys in succession; while defending himself, he put himself on the stand as a witness, asked himself questions, and then answered himself. Northcott, as was shown in the film, did also toy with Christine Collins, alternately admitting and denying the murder of her son throughout the trial.
Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) herself is a relative enigma, as little or no information can be found on the public domain on her, possibly because unlike the others, she was less of a public figure. Scriptwriter J. Michael Straczynski (TV's 'Babylon 5') based his portrayal of Christine on actual transcripts of the Collins hearing, and photographs of her show a determined, steely woman – the strength in her set jaw and flinty eyes belie the trauma she has undergone.
According to Northcott’s final notes left in his cell, he did not think she believed him when he assured her that her son was dead, and she never stopped searching for him. Jolie’s portrayal of the development of a woman, from timid single mother to indomitable crusader via trial by fire and ordeal, is as persuasive, human and emotional as possible.
A major character that is missing is Northcott’s mother, Sarah Louise Northcott, who confessed to the murder of Walter Collins, and was sentenced to life in prison for her crime. She initially confessed to all the murders to save her beloved son Gordon, but was only convicted for Collins’, as she was adamant that she had delivered the fatal axe blow. She served no more than 12 years of her sentence before being released on parole, and she probably died four years after her release.
ARTICLE CONCLUDES with the truth behinds the facts and events
Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) herself is a relative enigma, as little or no information can be found on the public domain on her, possibly because unlike the others, she was less of a public figure. Scriptwriter J. Michael Straczynski (TV's 'Babylon 5') based his portrayal of Christine on actual transcripts of the Collins hearing, and photographs of her show a determined, steely woman – the strength in her set jaw and flinty eyes belie the trauma she has undergone.
According to Northcott’s final notes left in his cell, he did not think she believed him when he assured her that her son was dead, and she never stopped searching for him. Jolie’s portrayal of the development of a woman, from timid single mother to indomitable crusader via trial by fire and ordeal, is as persuasive, human and emotional as possible.
A major character that is missing is Northcott’s mother, Sarah Louise Northcott, who confessed to the murder of Walter Collins, and was sentenced to life in prison for her crime. She initially confessed to all the murders to save her beloved son Gordon, but was only convicted for Collins’, as she was adamant that she had delivered the fatal axe blow. She served no more than 12 years of her sentence before being released on parole, and she probably died four years after her release.
ARTICLE CONCLUDES with the truth behinds the facts and events
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