Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes Review: No Answers Here

The four part series "Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes" is currently viewable on NetFlix. Written and directed by Joe Berlinger, it is based on some 100 hours of tape recorded with the killer by journalist Stephen Michaud. He was assisted in the project by Hugh Aynesworth.

I had hoped the tapes would provide some insights into one of the world's most vicious serial killers. Instead, he wisely confesses nothing on tape. Bundy instead offers third person insight into some of the crimes. This is the old "OJ" approach.

Bundy is undoubtedly a psychopath and an egomaniac. People give him far too much credit for being intelligence, charming and resourceful. Instead he used his mildly good looks and scripts (one was a broken arm) to capture trusting women. He was able to evade capture due to the fragmented communication between police departments. I dare say if he committed his crimes today, he would not be as successful or free for nearly as long.

The few new things I did learn include:

Bundy joined the LDS-- Mormon Church.
Bundy had a plea bargain that would have spared his life. Instead he fired his council and represented himself.
The interview with Carol DeRonch (the woman who escaped Bundy and was later responsible for his arrest) is truly frightening.
I knew Bundy married Carol Ann Boone while in prison. I had forgotten they had a child together-- Rose. How'd you like to be that poor kid? Bundy remained on death row for nine years. Boone divorced him three years prior to his execution.
Watching Ted's mother defend him is sad. What would you do in the same situation?
We also see the seedy side of local politicians (a retired sheriff) and the circus that surrounded his execution. At times i wondered if the people outside cheering were much better than the killer.
Two days before Bundy's execution, he confessed to 30 something murders. He had hoped this would stay his execution while the police tried to close open homicide cases. He was wrong.

Grade: 3 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). This four part series may be interesting to those who dont know much about Ted Bundy. Others, such as myself, won't find much new here. Sadly, there are no new insights into why one of the most prolific serial killers in history did what he did. Instead of talking about how smart, charming Budy was, I would like to see a series dedicated to the women and their families whose lives he destroyed. They should be the true focus of this narrative.