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A Lesson Before Dying

  • TV Movie
  • 19991999
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
A Lesson Before Dying (1999)
Home Video Trailer from HBO Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
2 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
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Joseph Sargent
  • Writers
    • Ernest J. Gaines(novel)
    • Ann Peacock(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Don Cheadle
    • Cicely Tyson
    • Mekhi Phifer
  • Director
    • Joseph Sargent
  • Writers
    • Ernest J. Gaines(novel)
    • Ann Peacock(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Don Cheadle
    • Cicely Tyson
    • Mekhi Phifer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 12 wins & 19 nominations total

    Videos1

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

    Photos

    A Lesson Before Dying (1999)
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    Top cast

    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
    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 a different name)
    • Director
      • Joseph Sargent
    • Writers
      • Ernest J. Gaines(novel)
      • Ann Peacock(teleplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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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)

    User reviews21

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    historically touching without the over-sentiment
    Seen this movie when I was younger, and didn't appreciate it as much as I did with a second-viewing, maybe because I'm older and understand some more of the concepts of having dignity with injustice.

    Even though the movie is a made for TV HBO movie, it has some high-quality actors like Don Cheadle and Mekhi Pheifer with solid performances that isn't overly sentimental or preachy about the morals of right and wrong and injustice of the 1940s segregated South. Instead, it's a heart-touching look at how a person can live righteously even in the face of injustice.

    And kudos to the filmmakers as the scenery and even down to the accents seemed historically accurate. I felt like I wasn't watching a made for TV movie at all, well it was a HBO movie so that just shows you the high-quality that was put into it as in many HBO movies. A true must see for people that like historical movies, especially one with messages that overly preachy.
    helpful•2
    1
    • dontspendmycash
    • Dec 22, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 22, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bài học trước khi chết
    • Filming locations
      • Laurel Valley, Thibodaux, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Ellen M. Krass Productions
      • HBO NYC Productions
      • Spanky Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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