Too Young to Die? (1990)

An abused 15 year old is charged with a murder that carries the death penalty in this fact-based story.

Director:

Robert Markowitz

Writers:

David Hill (story), David Hill (teleplay)

Stars:

Michael Tucker, Juliette Lewis, Brad Pitt

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Tucker	...	Buddy Thornton
Juliette Lewis	...	Amanda Sue Bradley
Brad Pitt	...	Billy Canton
Alan Fudge	...	D.A. Mark Calhoun
Emily Longstreth	...	Jean Glessner
Laurie O'Brien	...	Wanda Bradley Sledge
Yvette Heyden	...	Annie Meacham
Tom Everett	...	Judge Harper
Michael O'Keefe	...	Mike Medwicki
Dean Abston	...	Harvey Sledge
J. Stephen Brady	...	Brian
Mark Davenport	...	Mickey
Lew Hopson	...	Star
Annabelle Weenick	...	Birdie Jewel
Charles C. Stevenson Jr.	...	Pastor

Storyline

An abused 15 year old is charged with a murder that carries the death penalty in this fact-based story.

---

Plot Keywords:

death penalty | murder | teenage prostitute | wedding | verdict | 

---

Taglines:

They were young, in love and wanted for murder.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Too Young to Die

Filming Locations:

Taft, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frank & Bob Films II, Von Zerneck Sertner Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis started dating while shooting this film in 1989. Lewis was 16 years old while Pitt was 26 when their relationship began. They worked together again in Kalifornia (1993). The relationship ended in 1993, after four years.

---

Goofs

There is a police car driving through a crowd and an egg is thrown at the window, you can briefly see the camera man in the right front seat wearing a jean jacket instead of a police uniform.

---

Quotes

D.A. Mark Calhoun: Lots of kids with lives like Amanda grow up to become doctors. Now she made a choice. I don't want to see anybody die.

---

Connections

Referenced in Star Stories: Jennifer Aniston: The One Where Jen's Husband Dumps Her for a Total Bitch (2006)

---

Soundtracks

PERFECT WORLD
Written by Alex Call
Performed by Huey Lewis & The News (as Huey Lewis and The News)
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records and Lew-Bob Songs

User Reviews

Such A Pathetic Life

Too Young To Die is an above average television movie starring Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis as a pair of young killers and Michael Tucker as the lawyer for Lewis. Tucker is desperately trying to keep her out of the gas chamber and the film is mostly in flashback as she tells her story.

The film really does belong to Juliette Lewis in a stunning portrayal of a pathetic life. She's 14, repeatedly raped by her stepfather, abandoned by her mother and living on the streets until she meets street hustler Brad Pitt.

Later on she develops a relationship with an army sergeant, Michael O'Keefe who has two small children. When their relationship is discovered by the army, Lewis is forced to go back to Pitt. She's full of hate for the world now and acts accordingly.

Michael Tucker who was playing lawyer Stuart Markowitz on L.A. Law at the time gets to play another attorney. He wants to help her, but Lewis is too dumb to get out of her own way.

Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis got good notices for Too Young To Die and later played the same kind of parts in the theatrical film, Kalifornia.

I'm not a reflexive opponent of the death penalty, but applying to a minor and one like this seemed unjust. I think even some of the most hard hearted proponents of capital punishment would think twice about the state executing Lewis.

Too Young To Die is a fine film showcasing the talents of up and coming stars Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis. See them in their salad days.