☰
Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Gideon's Trumpet

Play trailer Poster for Gideon's Trumpet TV-PG 1980 1h 45m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 1 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon (Henry Fonda) is arrested on charges of petty theft. Unable to afford an expensive lawyer to defend him, he is forced to represent himself and receives a five-year prison sentence. He becomes a model inmate and jailhouse scholar, focusing on the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees U.S. citizens the right of due process. With the help of an attorney (Jose Ferrer), Clarence makes a startling discovery that changes everything. The film is based on a true story.
Watch on Prime Video Stream Now

Where to Watch

Gideon's Trumpet

Critics Reviews

View More (1)
David Cornelius DVDTalk.com Nearly three decades since its initial broadcast, it still holds a place as a triumph of televised storytelling. Rated: 5/5 Aug 2, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (24)
Jeffrey D Clarence Earl Gideon was a hero not only to himself but thousands of those convicted without the right to counsel. He is further immortalized in cinema by none other than Henry Fonda. The co-stars show commanding skill in interpreting and critiquing established due process or law. I saw this movie in my 7th grade civics class 25 years ago. It made a lasting impression on me, so much so that I bought a VHS copy recently off eBay. I hope to pay my respects to the late Gideon when I visit Hannibal, MO in the future. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/17/25 Full Review RICHARD S An excellent docu-drama about landmark decision for localities to provide public defenders for felony trials. Fonda, as usual, gives a restrained and excellent performance of the accused man, and Jose Ferrer fine as his attorney Abe Fortes. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/06/25 Full Review Audience Member Setting aside the moments where it felt more like an instructional video rather than a movie and the at times, weak acting, Gideon's Trumpet boldly details an important turn in the American Justice system. I particularly enjoyed the historical accuracy as some scenes either used direct court transcripts or closely replicated the conversations. Despite a seemingly dry premise, it certainly held my interest from start to finish. A marvelous story of determination indeed. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Henry Fonda is perfectly cast in the lead surrounded by a flawless cast in a compelling story that changed American history. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review yash b Nice little true story that is important and probably could've been given more justice than a TV movie. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member :) Gideon is a bad ass. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Gideon's Trumpet

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Robert Collins

Director

Henry Fonda

Clarence Earl Gideon

José Ferrer

Abe Fortas

John Houseman

Chief Justice

Fay Wray

Edna Curtis

Nicholas Pryor

Jacob
View All

Gideon's Trumpet

Gideon's Trumpet (1980) Gideon's Trumpet (1980) Gideon's Trumpet (1980) Gideon's Trumpet (1980) Gideon's Trumpet (1980) Gideon's Trumpet (1980) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon (Henry Fonda) is arrested on charges of petty theft. Unable to afford an expensive lawyer to defend him, he is forced to represent himself and receives a five-year prison sentence. He becomes a model inmate and jailhouse scholar, focusing on the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees U.S. citizens the right of due process. With the help of an attorney (Jose Ferrer), Clarence makes a startling discovery that changes everything. The film is based on a true story.
Director
Robert Collins
Producer
Robert H. Justman, David W. Rintels
Screenwriter
David W. Rintels
Production Co
Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 16, 2017
Runtime
1h 45m
Most Popular at Home Now