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A Lesson Before Dying

  • TV Movie
  • 1999
  • PG-13
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
A Lesson Before Dying (1999)
Home Video Trailer from HBO Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
4 Photos
Drama

In the 1940s South, an African-American man is wrongly accused of the killing of a white store owner. In his defense, his white attorney equates him with a lowly hog, to indicate that he did... Read allIn the 1940s South, an African-American man is wrongly accused of the killing of a white store owner. In his defense, his white attorney equates him with a lowly hog, to indicate that he didn't have the sense to know what he was doing. Nevertheless convicted, he is sentenced to d... Read allIn the 1940s South, an African-American man is wrongly accused of the killing of a white store owner. In his defense, his white attorney equates him with a lowly hog, to indicate that he didn't have the sense to know what he was doing. Nevertheless convicted, he is sentenced to die, but his godmother and the aunt of the local schoolteacher convince the schoolteacher t... Read all

  • Director
    • Joseph Sargent
  • Writers
    • Ernest J. Gaines
    • Ann Peacock
  • Stars
    • Don Cheadle
    • Cicely Tyson
    • Mekhi Phifer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph Sargent
    • Writers
      • Ernest J. Gaines
      • Ann Peacock
    • Stars
      • Don Cheadle
      • Cicely Tyson
      • Mekhi Phifer
    • 21User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 12 wins & 19 nominations total

    Videos1

    A Lesson Before Dying
    Trailer 0:31
    A Lesson Before Dying

    Photos3

    View Poster
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    Top cast29

    Edit
    Don Cheadle
    Don Cheadle
    • Grant Wiggins
    Cicely Tyson
    Cicely Tyson
    • Tante Lou
    Mekhi Phifer
    Mekhi Phifer
    • Jefferson
    Irma P. Hall
    Irma P. Hall
    • Miss Emma
    Brent Jennings
    Brent Jennings
    • Reverend Ambrose
    Lisa Arrindell
    Lisa Arrindell
    • Vivian Baptiste
    • (as Lisa Arrindell Anderson)
    Dana Ivey
    Dana Ivey
    • Edna Guidry
    Frank Hoyt Taylor
    • Sheriff Guidry
    Stuart Culpepper
    • Henri Pichot
    Patty Mack
    • Inez
    Von Coulter
    • Farrell Jarreau
    Elijah Kelley
    Elijah Kelley
    • Clarence
    Wynton Yates
    • Louis Washington
    Jameelah Nuriddin
    • Irene
    Cierra Meche
    • Estelle
    Sonny Shroyer
    Sonny Shroyer
    • Defense Attorney
    Clay Chappell
    • Deputy Paul
    Sahr Ngaujah
    Sahr Ngaujah
    • Brother
    • (as Michael Sahr Ngaujah)
    • Director
      • Joseph Sargent
    • Writers
      • Ernest J. Gaines
      • Ann Peacock
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    6.71.1K
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    Featured reviews

    9dewey22

    A movie which should evoke sympathy even to a bigot.

    The story evolves around a black youth who is present during a shooting in a white owned grocery store. The owner is killed along with two black men. The young man decides to help himself to the contents of the cash register. Just as the crime is committed he is discovered and ends up being executed. The real story evolves around his feelings and those who were closest to him. The movie is done with the greatest sensitivity and understanding. The acting and directing could not be improved in showing the tragedy to both whites and blacks of the consequences of our prejudices.
    9karen-128

    A lovely gem.

    I taped this film when it was on tv and come back to it every so often. It is very well done, superbly crafted, and the storytelling is excellent. But what keeps me watching is the performances, specifically Don Cheadles. This man is quite simply a great actor, he is where Denzel was ten years ago. Cicely Tyson remains one of our greatest assets, and the whole cast brings a sensitivity and authenticity to it that makes it sing. Worth watching with your kids, it has valuable lessons for us all.
    nicholas.rhodes

    Perfect from A to Z !

    A really great film, beautifully filmed and acted with excellent character development. Much better than Miss Evers' Boys which was made by the same director. I really liked all the characters in each of their roles, and the spectator's interest is maintained without fail during the whole of the film. Although it is a very sad and unjust story the emotion distilled is enough to keep the spectator riveted to his or her seat !
    StreepFan126

    One of the Best TV Movies Ever

    I read the book not that long ago, and had been trying for some time to locate this HBO version for some time. I finally recieved it as a Christmas present and watched it. It was fantastic! Screenwriter Ann peacock and director Joseph Sargent did a fantastic job bring Ernest Gaines' novel to the small screen. It's worth seeking out!
    8taslop

    Required viewing if you appreciate moral values.

    While I do not consider myself an expert in recognizing various performers, I certainly can react to good plots and to well constructed story lines. Very heartwarming to the extent that I felt obligated to try to compensate for the wrongs unfairly committed in the past. Required viewing in an American history course. A people that cares for its minorities will not condone ethnic cleansing. I certainly believe all participants of this film must feel very proud. It merits rave reviews.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The poem Grant reads to the children before Farrell comes to class with news from Sheriff Guidry the 2nd time is Edgar Allen Poe's "Annabel Lee."
    • Goofs
      Jefferson's execution date is right after Easter. Yet as the schoolchildren are going to the jail for a last visit with him, there are autumn leaves on the ground.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1999)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 22, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dites-leur que je suis un homme
    • Filming locations
      • Laurel Valley, Thibodaux, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Ellen M. Krass Productions
      • HBO NYC Productions
      • Spanky Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45m(105 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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