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The Life of David Gale

  • 20032003
  • RR
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
120K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,703
1,773
Kevin Spacey in The Life of David Gale (2003)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller
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.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
120K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,703
1,773
  • Director
    • Alan Parker
  • Writer
    • Charles Randolph
  • Stars
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Kate Winslet
    • Laura Linney
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alan Parker
  • Writer
    • Charles Randolph
  • Stars
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Kate Winslet
    • Laura Linney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 484User reviews
    • 133Critic reviews
    • 31Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Videos1

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

    Photos128

    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 Galeas David Gale
    Kate Winslet
    Kate Winslet
    • Bitsey Bloomas Bitsey Bloom
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Constance Harrawayas Constance Harraway
    Cleo King
    Cleo King
    • Barbara Kreusteras Barbara Kreuster
    Constance Jones
    • Reporter A.J. Robertsas Reporter A.J. Roberts
    Lee Ritchey
    • Joe Mullarkeyas Joe Mullarkey
    Gabriel Mann
    Gabriel Mann
    • Zack Stemmonsas Zack Stemmons
    Matt Craven
    Matt Craven
    • Dusty Wrightas Dusty Wright
    Brandy Little
    Brandy Little
    • Motel Waitressas Motel Waitress
    Cindy Waite
    • Margieas Margie
    Jim Beaver
    Jim Beaver
    • Duke Groveras Duke Grover
    Leon Rippy
    Leon Rippy
    • Braxton Belyeuas Braxton Belyeu
    Jesse De Luna
    • Supervising Guardas Supervising Guard
    Vernon Grote
    • Door Guardas Door Guard
    Rhona Mitra
    Rhona Mitra
    • Berlinas Berlin
    Kimberly Tortorice
    Kimberly Tortorice
    • Grad Studentas Grad Student
    Katie Lott
    • Berlin's Classmateas Berlin's Classmate
    Noah Truesdale
    • Jamie Galeas Jamie Gale
    • Director
      • Alan Parker
    • Writer
      • Charles Randolph
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details 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
    Top review
    8/10
    An extremely thought provoking movie
    Kevin Spacey stars as David Gale, a life long campaigner against the death penalty finds himself on death row after being found guilty of the rape and murder of a fellow anti-execution campaigner. Kate Winslet is the reporter who interviews Gale during his last three days and she is convinced of his guilt and need to be executed, but as she interviews Gale she begins to question his guilt.

    This was a great story very well told without deteriorating into a 'execution is wrong' lecture. And as usual, Kevin Spacey's performance is fantastic. Because of the twists and the amount of after-thought it provoked, I give 'The Life of David Gale' 8/10.
    helpful•115
    47
    • warren-johnstone
    • Oct 18, 2004

    FAQ1

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

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 21, 2003 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
      • Spain
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Життя Девіда Ґейла
    • 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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