A Double Life unveils the gripping true story of Stephen Bingham, a lawyer accused of passing a gun to prisoners’ rights leader George Jackson in 1971. Forced into a life on the run, Bingham spends 13 years underground, eluding capture while fiercely determined to clear his name.

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Review by Julie Sheppard:

A Double Life is a tribute to a courageous hero working for the downtrodden. Basically linear in structure, we are guided through the many stages of Stephen Bingham’s life and legal story with a collection of photos, home movies, interviews, media offerings and court evidence for and against him. Throughout the film, you sense Stephen’s intelligence, gentleness and resilience leading the viewer to root for him. The footage divulging the horrible conditions of the US prisons in 1971 and those fighting for reform, made Stephen’s case even more compelling. Also touching are the scenes with Stephen’s parents over the years, as they waited to hear from him and met him briefly, all the while believing in his innocence. 

The section of the film covering Stephen’s work on activist films in France under an assumed name showed his consistency of character — a fighter for the underdog regardless of his location. As for the film’s music, it is used sparingly yet appropriately, such as touches of French accordion or muted piano motifs. Both the narrations and candid interviews of Stephen and his wife and other friends, notably his lawyer colleagues, sealed his case. 

Capturing the short-lived life of his activist daughter is another element that reveals Stephen’s big-hearted nature and his ability to deal with yet another tragedy he has had to endure. Stephen’s courage and determined spirit is a testament to him, which this film captures to the very end.