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IMDbPro

The Life of David Gale

  • 2003
  • 14A
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
123K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,972
1,213
Kevin Spacey in The Life of David Gale (2003)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaMystery

A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row.A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row.A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row.

  • Director
    • Alan Parker
  • Writer
    • Charles Randolph
  • Stars
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Kate Winslet
    • Laura Linney
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    123K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,972
    1,213
    • Director
      • Alan Parker
    • Writer
      • Charles Randolph
    • Stars
      • Kevin Spacey
      • Kate Winslet
      • Laura Linney
    • 484User reviews
    • 135Critic reviews
    • 31Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Videos1

    The Life of David Gale
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch The Life of David Gale

    Photos134

    Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kate Winslet in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Laura Linney in The Life of David Gale (2003)
    Kevin Spacey in The Life of David Gale (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • David Gale
    Kate Winslet
    Kate Winslet
    • Bitsey Bloom
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Constance Harraway
    Cleo King
    Cleo King
    • Barbara Kreuster
    Constance Jones
    • Reporter A.J. Roberts
    Lee Ritchey
    • Joe Mullarkey
    Gabriel Mann
    Gabriel Mann
    • Zack Stemmons
    Matt Craven
    Matt Craven
    • Dusty Wright
    Brandy Little
    Brandy Little
    • Motel Waitress
    Cindy Waite
    • Margie
    Jim Beaver
    Jim Beaver
    • Duke Grover
    Leon Rippy
    Leon Rippy
    • Braxton Belyeu
    Jesse De Luna
    • Supervising Guard
    Vernon Grote
    • Door Guard
    Rhona Mitra
    Rhona Mitra
    • Berlin
    Kimberly Tortorice
    Kimberly Tortorice
    • Grad Student
    Katie Lott
    • Berlin's Classmate
    Noah Truesdale
    • Jamie Gale
    • Director
      • Alan Parker
    • Writer
      • Charles Randolph
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Filming of a death penalty protest scene at the Texas State Capitol was briefly disrupted by the arrival of a group of real political protesters.
    • Goofs
      When the kids are playing in the swimming pool full of mud, the sign on the entrance is supposed to be in Spanish, but most of the words are misspelled and no sentences make sense.
    • Quotes

      David Gale: Fantasies have to be unrealistic because the moment, the second that you get what you seek, you don't, you can't want it anymore. In order to continue to exist, desire must have its objects perpetually absent. It's not the "it" that you want, it's the fantasy of "it." So, desire supports crazy fantasies. This is what Pascal means when he says that we are only truly happy when daydreaming about future happiness. Or why we say the hunt is sweeter than the kill. Or be careful what you wish for. Not because you'll get it, but because you're doomed not to want it once you do. So the lesson of Lacan is, living by your wants will never make you happy. What it means to be fully human is to strive to live by ideas and ideals and not to measure your life by what you've attained in terms of your desires but those small moments of integrity, compassion, rationality, even self-sacrifice. Because in the end, the only way that we can measure the significance of our own lives is by valuing the lives of others.

    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Kevin Spacey Performances (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Another Bleeding Heart
      (2003)

      Written by Alex Parker

      Performed by Alex Parker

    User reviews484

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Not perfect but emotionally riveting
    If you're a fan of Kevin Spacey's, you will not be let down by "The Life of David Gale." Do not read reviews. Do not watch stuff about it on television. Just go see it and experience it for yourself. It's not a perfect film by any stretch (as many, MANY critics have been pointing out), but it does grab you and it does deliver.
    helpful•105
    59
    • Rogue-32
    • Feb 23, 2003

    Top picks

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    FAQ1

    • Gun fired in the trailer/preview? (spoiler)

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 21, 2003 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
      • Spain
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • La vie de David Gale
    • Filming locations
      • Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Intermedia Films
      • Dirty Hands Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $38,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,955,598
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,117,225
      • Feb 23, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,955,598
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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