Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004)

Redemption tells the story of Stan "Tookie" Williams, founder of the Crips L.A. street gang. Story follows his fall into gang-banging, his prison term, and his work writing children's ... See full summary »

Director:

Vondie Curtis-Hall

Writer:

J.T. Allen

Stars:

Jamie Foxx, Lynn Whitfield, Lee Thompson Young

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jamie Foxx	...	Stan 'Tookie' Williams
Lynn Whitfield	...	Barbara Becnel
Lee Thompson Young	...	Charles Becnel
Brenden Jefferson	...	Young Stan Williams (as Brenden Richard Jefferson)
Brenda Bazinet	...	Barbara's Agent
Wes Williams	...	Tony Bogard (as Wes 'Maestro' Williams)
Greg Ellwand	...	Prison Chief
CCH Pounder	...	Winnie Mandela
Barbara Barnes-Hopkins	...	Mrs. Williams
Tom Barnett	...	Jim Kates
Karl Campbell	...	Deuce-Five
Joseph Pierre	...	17yr. Old Ray Washington
Vibert Cobham	...	Buddha
David Fraser	...	Strange Man
Kahmaara Armatrading	...	Stan Williams (9-12)

Storyline

Redemption tells the story of Stan "Tookie" Williams, founder of the Crips L.A. street gang. Story follows his fall into gang-banging, his prison term, and his work writing children's novels encouraging peace and anti-violence resolutions which earned him multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations. After exhausting all forms of appeal, Tookie was executed by lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison, California; he was declared dead on December 13, 2005 at 12:35 a.m. PST (08:35 UTC). Williams is the 12th person to be executed by California since it reinstated the death penalty in 1977.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | gang | redemption | prison gang | gang culture | 

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Taglines:

Gangster, Death Row Inmate, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

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Genres:

Drama | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

FX Network

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Noir comme l'espoir

Filming Locations:

Fort Pierce, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Come Back Baby"
Performed by Heather
Written by George Howard & Fred Capitelli

User Reviews

Excellently Done

I think this movie is excellently done. It tells Williams' story in vivid detail and lets you know a lot about him. Anyone who is in either the Bloods or the Crips needs to see this movie, as well as people who aren't in gangs, but want to know more about them. We watched this movie in my Health class last year and I became fascinated with Williams and how he tried to escape the violent life he'd led by doing good for others. This has changed the way I look at gangs and I really think people need to see this movie for their opinions to change as well. Tookie Williams admits that he regretted the things he did and for that, he deserves to be granted clemency...although that will never happen now. I feel sorry that such a good influence has to be destroyed. He didn't start out well but he more than made up for it. I suppose the ones too shallow to see that are the ones calling for his death, and truly I pity them. If they look upon his works and call them insignificant because they were written by a gang member then they are crazy and need to be shown what change is.