Hope & Redemption: The Lena Baker Story (2008)

A chronicle of the life of Lena Baker, the first woman to be sent to the electric chair in Georgia for the murder of her employer, who forced her into sexual slavery.

Director:

Ralph Wilcox

Writer:

Ralph Wilcox

Stars:

Tichina Arnold, Beverly Todd, Peter Coyote

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tichina Arnold	...	Lena Baker
Beverly Todd	...	Annie Baker
Peter Coyote	...	Elliot Arthur
Michael Rooker	...	Sheriff Haney
Chris Burns	...	Max Arthur
Susie Spear Purcell	...	Mrs. Riddle (as Susie Spears)
Frank Roberts	...	Mr. Powell
Kaya Camp	...	Young Lena
Natalie L. Richardson	...	Teenage Lena
Jasmine Farmer	...	Young Nettie
Santana Shalton	...	Teenage Nettie
Lamar Perkins Jr.	...	Young Royal
Shamar Sanders	...	Older Royal (as Brandon Sanders)
Kajuan Wilson	...	Earl
Christopher Haywood Jr.	...	Sam

Storyline

A chronicle of the life of Lena Baker, the first woman to be sent to the electric chair in Georgia for the murder of her employer, who forced her into sexual slavery.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving racism, violence, alcoholism, and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hope & Redemption: The Lena Baker Story

Filming Locations:

Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Laughing Crow Entertainment, Schuster's Cash

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lena Baker was the first woman executed in Georgia, but she was not the first woman to be sentenced to the electric chair. The first woman was Maria Marbella in 1895, but she was retried, and aquitted the next year. The first woman executed by the electric chair was Martha M. Place on March 20, 1899, at Sing Sing prison, for the murder of her stepdaughter Ida Place.

User Reviews

The Lena Baker Story

From the perspective of a Christian, I loved the gospel music so much that I felt that the music complimented the movie even more. I am a gospel lover and I would like to know if there is a soundtrack? I also feel that the significance of this movie was missed by some viewers. The church setting and God-Lovers who had no choice but to be disposed to Satan driven sin (rape, alcohol, sex slavery, lying, fornication, murder, racial hatred, lynchings, lust and everything else that is wrong with this world) are all in the Bible and the story line a (real-life movie) of what our ancestors endured during those times were just as real as the nose on our faces. Gospel music - in my opinion- is an expression of God's Holy Bible and how Christians should live their lives. I cried when I saw how our ancestors were treated (like garbage) and the gospel music made it that much reality. Please, Please, produce more movies like this with gospel music. Back in the slavery era, God's Church and gospel music was the only "Peace of mind" that our ancestors had from those who were obviously "satan-deceived." Keep up the excellent work of the truth. Please do not "sugar coat" how things were, if the gospel music had not been added to this story line, especially since this is how it really was, then you would be short-changing Black History and the History of Gospel Music.

A God - Loving Black Woman who Loves her Gospel Music!