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The Executioner's Song

Play trailer Poster for The Executioner's Song TV-PG 1982 2h 37m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In this fact-based film, Gary Gilmore (Tommy Lee Jones), an Indiana man who just finished serving a lengthy stay in prison, tries to start anew by moving to Utah. Before long, Gary begins an ill-advised romance with the troubled Nicole Baker (Rosanna Arquette), a teenaged single mother. As their relationship quickly deteriorates, Gary goes on a murderous rampage, leaving two dead. During his trial, he demands capital punishment; a media circus ensues and outsiders look to profit from his story.

Critics Reviews

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Walter Goodman New York Times Although the quality of the book's dialogue gives the film its distinctive style, that kind of literary magic is not readily transferrable from page to screen. Dec 13, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Remembering this movie fondly all these years later . Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/27/19 Full Review Audience Member I saw the extended cut. This is quite a hidden gem. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member A good adaptation with dialogue taken straight from Norman Mailer's novel. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member A strong performance by Tommy Lee Jones. Based largely on the book by Norman Mailer, who was exhaustive in his research. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Conjunction junction, self-destruction. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review s r Interesting to learn about the true story that takes place in Utah, I did enjoy the beautiful shots of the wasatch front. It was a sad story about exconvicts trying to make it in life, and coming back into society being socially awkward and in turn being ostracised. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Executioner's Song

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The Executioner's Song

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this fact-based film, Gary Gilmore (Tommy Lee Jones), an Indiana man who just finished serving a lengthy stay in prison, tries to start anew by moving to Utah. Before long, Gary begins an ill-advised romance with the troubled Nicole Baker (Rosanna Arquette), a teenaged single mother. As their relationship quickly deteriorates, Gary goes on a murderous rampage, leaving two dead. During his trial, he demands capital punishment; a media circus ensues and outsiders look to profit from his story.
Director
Lawrence Schiller
Producer
Lawrence Schiller
Screenwriter
Norman Mailer, Norman Mailer
Rating
TV-PG (V|L|D)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 5, 2008
Runtime
2h 37m