The Jericho Mile (TV 1979)

Rain Murphy is a man sentenced to life in prison, choosing to do his time in near-isolation, and engages in distance running when given the opportunity for free-time. While his form and ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Mann

Writers:

Patrick J. Nolan (story), Patrick J. Nolan (teleplay),

Stars:

Peter Strauss, Richard Lawson, Roger E. Mosley

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Strauss	...	Larry 'Rain' Murphy
Richard Lawson	...	R.C. Stiles
Roger E. Mosley	...	Cotton Crown
Brian Dennehy	...	Dr. D
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Dr. Bill Janowski
Billy Green Bush	...	Warden Earl Gulliver
Ed Lauter	...	Jerry Beloit
Beverly Todd	...	Wylene
William Prince	...	O.A.U. Chairman
Miguel Pinero	...	Rubio
Richard Moll	...	Joker Gibb
Edmund Penney	...	OAU Official
Burton Gilliam	...	Jimmy-Jack
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Brother Lateef
Wilmore Thomas	...	Moo-Moo

Storyline

Rain Murphy is a man sentenced to life in prison, choosing to do his time in near-isolation, and engages in distance running when given the opportunity for free-time. While his form and speed capture the attention of prison officials who believe he could be competitive for the Olympics, Murphy expresses disinterest. But when the one man he has befriended is taken advantage of by political groups within the prison, Murphy decides to pursue the opportunity presented to him in his memory. This action not only has profound changes on him, but also on the atmosphere of the inmates in the prison and their outlook on the accomplishments he can make.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | running | revenge | drugs

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Taglines:

He's running for his freedom ... and his life.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Sport

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Comme un homme libre

Filming Locations:

Folsom State Prison - 300 Prison Road, Represa, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

ABC Circle Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film, as was common with many network made for TV movies at the time, was released outside the USA in theaters.

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Quotes

Dr. D: I'm lookin' at a dead man! I'm talkin' to a dead man!

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Connections

Referenced in The Directors: The Films of Michael Mann (2001)

User Reviews

great film, not common enough

An interesting and involved film about a "lifer" just trying to live out his days peacefully. Elements of the main character appear in Michael Mann's later films, like Thief (1981), Heat (1995), and so on. You can see this one at the UCLA Instructional Media Laboratory-- one of the only places in the country that has copies readily available to the public. It's a great one!