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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 74% 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 12/13/2017
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Daniel F 11/25/2024 Found out that Nicole Died of a drug over dose in 1976, so the ending about her was B.S. See more 08/27/2019 Remembering this movie fondly all these years later . See more 07/27/2018 I saw the extended cut. This is quite a hidden gem. See more 02/25/2017 A good adaptation with dialogue taken straight from Norman Mailer's novel. See more 10/19/2015 A strong performance by Tommy Lee Jones. Based largely on the book by Norman Mailer, who was exhaustive in his research. See more 07/26/2014 Conjunction junction, self-destruction. See more Read all reviews
The Executioner's Song

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Cast & Crew

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Lawrence Schiller

Director

Tommy Lee Jones

Gary Mark Gilmore

Rosanna Arquette

Nicole Baker

Eli Wallach

Uncle Vern Damico

Christine Lahti

Brenda Nicol

Jordan Clarke

Johnny Nicol
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The Executioner's Song

The Executioner's Song (1982) The Executioner's Song (1982) The Executioner's Song (1982) The Executioner's Song (1982) View more photos

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