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ESPN's '30 for 30' series takes on millionaire murderer John du Pont

Langhorne native Jesse Vile brings a very Philadelphia story to ESPN's excellent 30 for 30 documentary series when Prince of Pennsylvania premieres at 9 p.m. Tuesday. The film also screens as part of the Philadelphia Film Festival on Saturday and Nov. 1.

John E. du Pont upon his arrest Jan. 28, 1996, in Newtown Square. His murder of David Schultz is the focus of a new documentary. (Photo: AP)
John E. du Pont upon his arrest Jan. 28, 1996, in Newtown Square. His murder of David Schultz is the focus of a new documentary. (Photo: AP)Read moreAssociated Press

Langhorne native Jesse Vile brings a very Philadelphia story to ESPN's excellent 30 for 30 documentary series when Prince of Pennsylvania premieres at 9 p.m. Tuesday. The film also screens as part of the Philadelphia Film Festival on Saturday and Nov. 1.

Prince chronicles millionaire John du Pont's murder of Olympic wrestler David Schultz. The story is predominantly told through the voices of those who lived and trained with du Pont and Schultz at Foxcatcher Farms in Newtown Square, including David's brother Mark. The story was dramatized in the 2014 Oscar-nominated film Foxcatcher.

Vile says there was more of a story to be told and more voices that should be heard than a fiction film could capture.

Q: Do you remember when you first heard about this story?

I heard about it when it happened on the 26th of January, 1996. I was 14 at the time. I didn't know who John du Pont was; I didn't know who Dave Schultz was. They knew du Pont shot this wrestler; they didn't know why.

The story affected me when I was a teenager, and it would keep coming back to me. I saw the teaser trailer for Foxcatcher. I thought it was great this little Philly story was going to be told. But then I did more research, and it was this huge, complex history. I thought I could make a doc that could coexist with that film.

We just saw this story on screen. Why do we need to see it again?

I never wanted to make this film as a companion piece or the "Real Foxcatcher" or "Inside Foxcatcher" or something cheesy like that. There were people involved in this story and the history of John du Pont's life and Foxcatcher Farms - they have a story to tell, and they want to tell it.

Foxcatcher the film is from the perspective of Mark Schultz, but this is about Mark, John, and Dave equally. There were other guys on the team that had aspirations just like Mark's, and they went to Foxcatcher to follow their dreams. There are things you can do in a documentary that you can't do in a feature. You can hear the story from the people who lived it.

Mark Schultz was openly unhappy with "Foxcatcher." Was he hesitant to talk to you?

He was a little hesitant, but he wanted to set things straight. He feels he was burned in his initial experience of his life story being dramatized. He had some battle scars from dealing with that, and it's always tougher when you have contributors who have had negative experiences.

It took us several months to get him on board. It definitely wasn't immediate.

You approached "30 for 30" about "Prince of Pennsylvania." What attracted you to the series?

I'm not a sports fan. Sports is just a stage that these stories play out on. I like telling these stories in such a way that are more than a sports story or a music story or a historical story. They speak to humanity and ask questions and make people feel a certain way. They really respect the director's vision.

You had lived with this story for so long. What surprised you in your research?

I was amazed just how many there were that thought John was a good guy who just wanted to help people. Of course, he had an ego and he dealt with petty emotions, but that really surprised me. There were other people who thought he was monster and a murderer and a wife beater. There were so many layers to this guy. He could be very human.

There were two tragedies in this film: There was Dave's murder, and then there was the tragedy of John's failed life. He cracked because he failed at being what he wanted to be, an athlete, and he was constantly surrounded by people who reminded him of his failures.

"Prince of Pennsylvania" screens twice as part of the Philadelphia Film Festival: at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Ritz East, 125 S. 2d St.; and at 10:35 p.m. Nov. 1, Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. Tickets: $13. Information: 484-483-5716 or www.filmadelphia.org.

meichel@phillynews.com

215-854-5909

@mollyeichel