Gideon's Army
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Gideon's Army is a documentary about public defenders working in very poor counties in the south. Viewers will see no sex or violence onscreen, but will hear descriptions of many grave crimes, such as a man who rapes his 12-year-old daughter. Dire scenarios such as a man who planned to murder his attorney in court are also described. Viewers also see two adults opening and drinking a bottle of wine over dinner, but no other drinking, drugs or smoking, though drugs may be mentioned as an element in criminal cases. There are a few curses, but mostly this earnest and ardent documentary is unsuited for young children because it's thoughtful and talky and features a lot of dry courtroom footage. For teens and for adults, however, Gideon's Army could produce some very interesting questions and answers about the legal system and the public defender's place in it.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
A case filed by a petty thief named Clarence Gideon ensured in 1963 that those who could not afford an attorney in America would be appointed a free public defender. And in GIDEON'S ARMY we meet three of them. Idealistic attorneys June Hardwick, Brandy Alexander, and Travis Williams work in some of the poorest communities in the South, and each handle up to 150 clients at a time. Clients who each need court appearances, jailhouse visits, briefs filed on their behalf and so on, and who may or may not be guilty of the terrible crimes they are accused of. June, Brandy, and Travis feel strongly that they're standing between their clients and certain doom. But the job is so demanding and tough that at times they feel they just can't go on.
Is It Any Good?
Perhaps the most telling moment in Gideon's Army occurs early into the documentary, when Travis Williams shows the camera his bleak, small apartment and notes that it's right next to the office, which is its only selling point -- he can stop off there for a shower after working 16 hours. "I don't have a wife or kids," he says. "This is what I do. This is what I do for a living." Gideon's Army shows us the fearsome odds defenders like Williams face. His clients are poor, they're desperate, they're often guilty of the crimes they're accused of. He is the last thing that stands between the accused and the destruction of their lives. Lucky for these clients, Williams takes the job seriously.
To Gideon's Army's credit, it doesn't shy away from showing us the same attorneys in despair. Alexander cries as she discusses a client that she worked with for months, and cared about, who ultimately plotted her murder just for kicks. But the overall feeling viewers will get from the documentary is gratitude that caring attorneys like Williams, Hardwick, and Alexander are on the job -- and that we don't have to do it. Watching with teens will absolutely spur conversations about the justice system and criminals; be ready to answer their questions about why we do things the way we do.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what a public defender does. What do you think about the fact that public defenders defend people they know are guilty? Why do we as a society provide for this?
Would you like to be a public attorney? Why or why not? Did Gideon's Army inspire you, or discourage you?
Why do you think this documentary was made? What did director/creator Dawn Porter hope to show, or what changes did she hope would be made after people saw Gideon's Army?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 21, 2013
- Cast: Brandy Alexander, June Hardwick, Travis Williams
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Integrity
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
Our Editors Recommend
-
Law & Order: SVU
Grisly, sensationalized sex crimes; not meant for kids.
-
The Practice
Drama with a passion for justice; teens and up.
-
American Justice
Docu looks at crime from a legal point of view.
For kids who love true stories
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate