'A North Woods Elegy: Incident at Big Moose Lake' investigates the circumstances surrounding the murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette on July 11, 1906 in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Covering the ensuing trial and Gillette's subsequent incarceration and execution, the film explores the fascination America had, and still has, with the case, encompassing issues of class, jurisprudence in America at the turn of the twentieth century and ethics and sensationalism in news reporting. The stories (oftentimes false) reported in the major daily newspapers in New York City were the basis for Theodore Dreiser's 'An American Tragedy' novel in 1925, which was adapted for film in 'American Tragedy' (1931) and 'A Place in the Sun' (1951).—Anonymous

A North Woods Elegy: Incident at Big Moose Lake investigates the circumstances surrounding the murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette on July 11, 1906 in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Covering the ensuing trial and Gillette's subsequent incarceration and execution, the film explores the fascination America had, and still has, with the case, encompassing issues of class, jurisprudence in America at the turn of the twentieth century and ethics and sensationalism in news reporting. On July 11, 1906, Chester Gillette and Grace Brown, factory workers from Cortland, NY, traveled a circuitous journey into the Adirondacks on what was purportedly a "vacation". The couple ended up at Big Moose Lake and rented a canoe for the day. Witnesses reported seeing Grace Brown visibly distraught that day and also noticed that Chester was carrying what seemed to be a suitcase with him on the boat. The couple was last seen rowing toward the southwest corner Big Moose Lake. Grace Brown was never seen alive again. She was found the next day at the bottom of the lake, the apparent victim of a drowning. Questions began to emerge as to the whereabouts of her travel partner Chester Gillette. Evidence would later determine that Chester Gillette had fled the scene on foot, with his suitcase in hand, attempting to distance himself from involvement in the case. Chester Gillette and Grace Brown were harboring an intimate secret, which may have been the impetus for their ill-fated journey. The autopsy on Grace Brown revealed that she was pregnant, not a well-received predicament for unwed women to be in at the turn of the 20th century. Through her correspondence with Chester one can ascertain Grace's desire to escape from the morals of her rural upbringing and escape with Chester to a new life together. Chester clearly had other plans for their future together, if there was to be one.—Anonymous