Let the Fire Burn relentlessly sustains its tragic momentum.
88
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
An unnerving, all-archival account of Philadelphia citizens suddenly terrorized by the unchecked violence of rogue "law and order."
80
Time OutDavid Fear
Time OutDavid Fear
A first-rate piece of forensic filmmaking.
80
The DissolveTasha Robinson
The DissolveTasha Robinson
Let The Fire Burn is a fascinating look at official overreaction, government overreach, and the corrupting effects of prejudice on powerful institutions.
The closing subtitle says that no one was ever prosecuted for this madness. The pure-archive approach leaves a taste of despair; civic governance, it seems, can’t even promise not to kill you.
70
The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeFore
The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeFore
The doc could benefit from more information about what led up to that day.