Early Friedkin Doc Next in American Values Series

Ten years before winning the best director Oscar for “The French Connection,” William Friedkin, then 26, was directing live television in Chicago. When he became aware of Paul Crump, who was serving a death sentence for the alleged murder of a security guard during a botched robbery, Mr. Friedkin convinced a local television station to let him tell Crump’s story.

The result was “The People vs. Paul Crump,” which will be shown on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pierson High School as part of the Sag Harbor Cinema Arts Center’s American Values series. Mr. Friedkin combined traditional documentary techniques with dramatic re-enactments of the robbery and murder, a technique that has recently become widespread. While the original station declined to air the film, it was shown to Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner, who commuted Crump’s sentence to life in prison.

An interview with Mr. Friedkin via Skype will take place after the free screening. Reservations can be made at sagharborcinema.org.