A Time to Kill (film) 1

A Time to Kill (film)

A Time to KillTheatrical release poster

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Produced by Arnon MilchanJohn GrishamMichael NathansonHunt Lowry

Screenplay by Akiva Goldsman

Based on A Time to Killby John Grisham

Starring MatthewMcConaugheySamuel L. JacksonSandra BullockKevin SpaceyAshley JuddDonald SutherlandOliver PlattKiefer SutherlandCharles S. DuttonChris CooperPatrick McGoohan

Music by Elliot Goldenthal

Cinematography Peter Menzies Jr.

Editing by William Steinkamp

Studio Regency Enterprises

Distributed by Warner Bros.

Release date(s) •• July 24, 1996

Running time 149 minutes

Country United States

Language English

Budget $40 million (est)

Box office $152,266,007

A Time to Kill is a 1996 film adaptation of John Grisham's 1989 legal thriller novel of the same name. Directed byJoel Schumacher, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, MatthewMcConaughey, Oliver Platt, Ashley Judd, Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, Kevin Spacey, and PatrickMcGoohan.Set in fictional Clanton, Mississippi, the film revolves around the rape of a young girl and the arrest of the rapistsand their subsequent murder by the girl's father, Carl Lee Hailey. The remainder of the film then focuses on the trialof Carl Lee Hailey for murder. Upon its theatrical release, A Time to Kill was a critical and commercial success,taking nearly $110 million at the U.S. box office.[1]

A Time to Kill (film) 2

Plot summaryTwo white racists, Billy Ray Cobb (Nicky Katt) and James Louis 'Pete' Willard (Doug Hutchison), come across a10-year-old black girl named Tonya Hailey (Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly) in rural Mississippi. They violently rape andbeat Tonya and dump her in a nearby river after a failed attempt to hang her. She survives, and the men are arrested.Tonya's father, Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), seeks out Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey), aneasygoing white lawyer. Carl Lee is worried that the men may be acquitted due to deep-seated racism in theMississippi Delta area. They discuss a similar case further south in which four white teenagers were acquitted of therape of a black girl. Brigance admits the possibility that the rapists will walk free in this case as well. Carl Leeacquires an M16 rifle, goes to the county courthouse and opens fire. This results in the deaths of both rapists and alsoin the unintended injury of Deputy Looney (Chris Cooper), who has to have his leg amputated. Carl Lee is soonarrested without resistance. Brigance agrees to provide defense for Carl Lee for a much smaller amount of moneythan such a trial would usually require. He intends to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of temporary insanity.The rape and subsequent revenge killing gain national media attention. The Ku Klux Klan begins to organize in thearea. Freddie Lee Cobb (Kiefer Sutherland), the brother of Billy Ray, calls Brigance and his family with deaththreats and organizes the formation of a Klan chapter in the county. The district attorney, Rufus Buckley (KevinSpacey), decides to seek the death penalty, and presiding Judge Omar Noose (Patrick McGoohan) denies Brigance achange of venue. Brigance seeks help for his defense team from sleazy divorce lawyer and close friend Harry RexVonner (Oliver Platt). He seeks guidance from long-time liberal activist Lucien Wilbanks (Donald Sutherland), aonce-great civil rights lawyer who was disbarred for violence on a picket line.Brigance is approached by Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock), a fiery liberal law student from Massachusetts whobelongs to the ACLU. Brigance is initially reluctant to accept Ellen's cooperation, but he later agrees to let her helpwith the case. The trial begins amid much attention from the media and public. The Klan, which has a member insidethe sheriff's department, burns a cross on Brigance's lawn. This incident causes an argument between Brigance andhis wife to the effect that if Jake had heeded Carl Lee's warning, this would not have happened. The police evacuateJake's family from their house. Brigance and the police capture one of the Klan members, and they find a case with abomb inside it. Brigance throws the bomb into the air, where it explodes. This motivates Jake to send his wife andyoung daughter away while the trial continues.As the trial begins, the KKK march down Canton's streets and meet a large group of mostly black protesters at thecourthouse. Chaos ensues outside the courthouse as the police lose control of the crowd. A black teenager kills theKKK Grand Dragon (Kurtwood Smith) with a Molotov cocktail, burning him to death. Brigance's attraction to Roarkgrows, and they nearly begin an affair before Brigance regains his wits. He goes home, finding that arsonists haveburned down his house, nearly killing his dog Max in the process. The next morning, as the Mississippi NationalGuard is called in to take care of the rioting, Brigance sits on the still-smoking steps of his house, calling for his dog.Harry Rex arrives at the remains of the Brigance home and tells Jake that it is time to quit the case. Brigance arguesthat to quit now would make his sacrifices meaningless. The jury secretly discusses the case in a restaurant, goingagainst the judge's instructions. All but one are leaning toward a guilty verdict and Carl Lee's fate looks sealed.Freddie Lee Cobb shoots at Brigance as he exits the courthouse, but misses. The bullet hits a National Guardsmanpolicing the demonstrations, wounding him. Roark is kidnapped by Klansmen, beaten, tied to a stake in thewilderness in her underwear and left to die. She is saved by an informant called "Mickey Mouse," who is one of theKlansmen: Tim Nunley (John Diehl). Out of options, Brigance goes to see Carl Lee in his jail cell and advisesaccepting a lesser guilty plea. Carl Lee refuses and rejects Brigance's notions of race and justice, noting that althoughBrigance considers himself a "friend" to Carl Lee, Brigance has never visited his home and that "Our kids will neverplay together." Carl Lee tells Brigance that he chose Brigance to be his attorney because Brigance is in fact his"enemy", as Brigance is white and was thus raised amid the same racial prejudices harbored by the jury members.Carl Lee tells Brigance to sway the jury by presenting to them whatever argument it would take to get Brigancehimself to vote for acquittal, were Brigance a member of that jury.

A Time to Kill (film) 3

The courthouse is packed to see the attorneys' closing arguments. Brigance tells the jury to close their eyes and listento a story. He describes, in slow and painful detail, the rape of a young 10-year-old girl, mirroring the story ofTonya's rape. He then asks the jury, in his final comment, to "now imagine she's white." This final burst of imagerychallenges the very nature of the trial itself, raising the very real specter - within the racist culture of the communityin which the crime took place - that the actions of Hailey would not have been called to question before the court oflaw had the victim been white. Had it been so, it is implied that the father's motive in murdering the rapists wouldhave been seen by the public as justified, and there would not have been any prosecution.The argument Brigance then makes is that if the jury can - at any time - be compelled to spare the life of a white manfor a vengeful murder, then they must be able to do the same for a black man. After deliberation, anAfrican-American child runs out of the courthouse and screams, "He's innocent!" Jubilation ensues amongst thesupporters outside. The KKK, enraged, become violent again. Sheriff Ozzie Walls (Charles S. Dutton) arrestsFreddie Lee, as well as his own racist deputy. The movie ends when Brigance brings his wife and daughter to afamily cookout at Carl Lee's house. Carl Lee is surprised and standoffish. Jake explains, "Just thought our kids couldplay together," and Carl Lee smiles at that.

Cast• Matthew McConaughey as Jake Brigance, defense attorney for Carl Lee Hailey• Samuel L. Jackson as Carl Lee Hailey, defendant• Sandra Bullock as Ellen Roark, a law student working free for the defense• Kevin Spacey as Rufus Buckley, prosecuting attorney• Brenda Fricker as Ethel Twitty, secretary to Brigance• Oliver Platt as Harry Rex Vonner, attorney assisting defense• Charles S. Dutton as Ozzie Walls, Canton (Madison County) Sheriff• Ashley Judd as Carla Brigance, Jake's wife• Patrick McGoohan as Judge Omar Noose, presiding judge• Kiefer Sutherland as Freddie Lee Cobb, Billy Ray's racist brother• Donald Sutherland as Lucien Wilbanks, a disbarred lawyer and Jake's mentor• John Diehl as Tim Nunley, a Klansman, later informant (Mickey Mouse)• Doug Hutchison as James Louis "Pete" Willard, a rapist• Nicky Katt as Billy Ray Cobb, a rapist• Chris Cooper as Dwayne Looney, the deputy accidentally shot by Hailey• Anthony Heald as Dr. Wilbert Rodeheaver, state psychiatrist• Kurtwood Smith as Stump Sisson, Grandmaster of the KKK• Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly as Tonya Hailey, Carl Lee's daughter, rape victim• M. Emmet Walsh as Dr. Willard Tyrell Bass, defense psychologist

A Time to Kill (film) 4

Production notesJohn Grisham has worked with director Joel Schumacher before on the film adaptation of The Client with SusanSarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. While only his book was the basis for his involvement with that film, Grishamtook an active role in this film's production as a producer. The reason, as Grisham explained it, was that A Time toKill was his first book and the favorite one out of all of his works, and he wanted to see its adaptation done to hisstandards.Before the part of Jake Brigance went to Matthew McConaughey, other actors, such as Val Kilmer, John Cusack,Robert Downey, Jr., Aidan Quinn and Brad Pitt, were considered. Woody Harrelson had lobbied for the part andKevin Costner was close to being cast, but Grisham axed Costner because the actor wanted complete control of theproject. McConaughey was originally going to play Freddie Lee Cobb but convinced Joel Schumacher to let himaudition for the part of Jake Brigance. Schumacher videotaped the audition and decided that McConaughey was rightfor the part. He then approached Grisham and showed him the audition, which sold Grisham on casting him.Bruce Dern was the original choice for the role of Judge Omar Noose. However, Patrick McGoohan was cast whenDern proved unavailable.This film was the second to feature both Donald Sutherland and his son Kiefer. The first was Max Dugan Returns,which was Kiefer's film debut.The movie was filmed on location in Canton, Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi, London, Ontario, and Tampa,Florida.

Reception

Box office performanceAccording to Boxofficemojo.com, the movie performed well earning over $108 million domestically.

Critical receptionThe film received mostly positive reviews from critics, earning a 68% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on50 reviews,[2] and a score of 54 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 21 reviews.[3] James Berardinelli gave the filmthree stars out of four, calling it "involving, energetic, and occasionally thought-provoking".[4] Roger Ebert also gavethe film three stars out of four, saying: "I was absorbed by A Time to Kill, and found the performances strong andconvincing," and added that "this is the best of the film versions of Grisham novels, I think, and it has been directedwith skill by Joel Schumacher."The film was not without its detractors, however. Anthony Puccinelli gave the film one star, calling it "worthless"and remarking: "A Time to Kill argues for vigilantism but disguises its message by making the vigilante black,allowing viewers to think their blood lust and thirst for revenge is actually empathy for the oppressed."[5] PeterTravers felt that "they [Schumacher and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman] cram[med] in too much," adding, "Thisdistracts from the heart of the picture, which is in the bond between Carl Lee (the brilliant [Samuel L.] Jackson isquietly devastating) and Jake, a husband and father who knows he, too, would have shot anyone who raped his littlegirls."[6]

Grisham enjoyed the film, remarking: "When all was said and done I was happy with it, happy we were able to find akid like Matthew McConaughey. It wasn't a great movie, but it was a good one."[7]

In Europe, the film has been the subject of much controversy. Critics have accused the movie of making an apologyfor the death penalty and right of self-defense. In France, a question mark was added at the end of the title ("Le Droitde tuer ?"/"The Right to Kill ?"[8][9]) so as not to shock the audience.

A Time to Kill (film) 5

Awards• Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actor - Samuel L. Jackson - Nominated• NAACP Image Award - Best Supporting Actor in a film - Samuel L. Jackson - Nominated• Blockbuster Entertainment Award - Favorite Actress - Suspense - Sandra Bullock - Won•• MTV Movie Awards - Best Female Performance - Sandra Bullock - Nominated• MTV Movie Awards - Best Breakthrough Performance - Matthew McConaughey - Won• Razzie Award - Worst Written Film Grossing Over $100 Million - Akiva Goldsman - Nominated• Stinkers Bad Movie Awards - Worst Supporting Actress - Brenda Fricker - Nominated

Soundtrack

A Time to KillSoundtrack album by Elliot Goldenthal

Released Aug 20, 1996

Genre Classical, Avante garde, modernist

Length 35:02

Label Atlantic82959-2

Producer Matthias Gohl

Elliot Goldenthal chronology

Michael Collins (1996) A Time toKill

(1996)

The Butcher Boy (1998)

Elliot Goldenthal scored this movie in 1996. Its emotional, sweeping themes are typical of Goldenthal's other scoreswith, often, intense and/or stark emotional motifs.The track "Pressing Judgment" is used in Goldenthal's score for Titus in a slightly longer version incorporatingelements of that film's theme. Due to a typographical error on the Titus score, however, that track is actually called"Aaron's Plea". Allmusic gave the soundtrack two and a half stars out of five, commenting that it "doesn't workparticularly well when it's separated from the film itself."1.1. Defile and Lament (2:33)2.2. Consolation (2:23)3.3. Justice Wheel (0:46)4. Pavane for Solace (2:29)5.5. Abduction (2:58)6.6. An Asurrendering (1:35)7.7. Pavane for Loss (1:07)8. "Take My Hand Precious Lord & Retribution" (6:50) – The Jones Sisters9.9. Torch and Hood (2:02)10.10. Pressing Judgement (1:29)11.11. White Sheet (2:38)12.12. Pavane for Solace (Piano Solo) (2:06)13.13. Verdict Fanfare (For Aaron) (4:03)14.14. Take My Hand Precious Lord (4:03)

A Time to Kill (film) 6

Crew/Credit• Music Composed by Elliot Goldenthal (except 8 & 14)•• Music Produced by Matthias Gohl•• Orchestrated by Robert Elhai and Elliot Goldenthal•• Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer•• Recorded and Mixed by Joel Iwataki• Electronic Music Produced by Richard Martinez•• Additional Orchestrations by Deniz Hughes

References[1] A Time to Kill at Box Office Mojo (http:/ / boxofficemojo. com/ movies/ ?id=timetokill. htm) and $43 million in the rest, taking more than

$150 million worldwide. The film was also met with positive reviews by critics.[2] A Time to Kill Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes (http:/ / www. rottentomatoes. com/ m/ 1072381-time_to_kill/ )[3] A Time to Kill Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic (http:/ / www. metacritic. com/ video/ titles/ timetokill?q=A Time to Kill)[4] Review: A Time to Kill (http:/ / www. reelviews. net/ movies/ t/ time_kill. html)[5] Chicago Reader (http:/ / www. chicagoreader. com/ movies/ archives/ 0896/ 08166. html)[6] http:/ / www. rollingstone. com/ reviews/ movie/ 5947309/ review/ 5947310/ a_time_to_kill[7] "Grisham v. Grisham: John Grisham issues judgment on ALL his novels" (http:/ / www. ew. com/ ew/ article/ 0,,587688,00. html) Tina

Jordan, Entertainment Weekly, Feb 13, 2004[8] Le Droit de tuer ? (1996) - AlloCiné (http:/ / www. allocine. fr/ film/ fichefilm_gen_cfilm=15283. html)[9] A time to kill - Cinémathèque française (http:/ / cinema. encyclopedie. films. bifi. fr/ index. php?pk=60362)

External links• A Time to Kill (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0117913/ ) at the Internet Movie Database• A Time to Kill (film) (http:/ / www. allrovi. com/ movies/ movie/ v136524) at AllRovi• A Time to Kill (film) (http:/ / tcmdb. com/ title/ title. jsp?stid=324431) at the TCM Movie Database• A Time to Kill at Box Office Mojo (http:/ / www. boxofficemojo. com/ movies/ ?page=weekend& id=timetokill.

htm)• A Time to Kill at Rotten Tomatoes (http:/ / beta. rottentomatoes. com/ m/ 1072381-time_to_kill/ )• A Time to Kill at Metacritic (http:/ / www. metacritic. com/ video/ titles/ timetokill)

Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and ContributorsA Time to Kill (film)  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=578741153  Contributors: 2600:1004:B110:87F9:3CFB:6D69:6C96:718E, 2620:0:1000:5E03:6548:F802:B0F7:ADCC,66richardson, 7&6=thirteen, AN(Ger), AaronY, Aces lead, AdamSmithee, Aecis, Afed, Agentnj, Andycjp, Anna Lincoln, Bilsonius, Bitnine, Book angel800, Bovineboy2008, Boycool42,Brettsky1202, BroMonque, Captain Cheeks, Carpediem88, CelticJobber, CharlotteWebb, Chicadelcaribe20, Clarityfiend, Clinchfield654, ClovisPt, Coder Dan, Crotchety Old Man, CustardToast,DVdm, Damiantgordon, Dan aka jack, Dan100, Darkness2005, DatRoot, DeWaine, Defender of torch, Dethomas, Dinomite, Doctorfluffy, DoubleCross, Dr Gangrene, EJBanks, ERJ1024,Eadamski, EagleOne, Eleland, Epbr123, Erik, Floetic18, Fluffybun, Flyer22, FrankRizzo2006, Garynine, Gaspyy, George Ho, Georgejs, GhostStalker, Glennwells, Goose300,Grandpafootsoldier, Guilhermevedder, GusF, Heatsketch, Iempleh, Ik.pas.aan, Irishguy, Jabrona, Jackel, Jasgrider, Jbruin152, Jeff Muscato, Jhb 10s, Jjey, Jlujan69, Kanamekun, Kbdank71,Kekkomereq4, Kikodawgzzz, Kinu, Ksikkihkni, Kufat, Kujo524, Lady Aleena, Laetnej, Laurence Gilcrest, LilHelpa, Loren.wilton, MER-C, MacMog, Mactabbed, Madhero88, Martyvis,Mbrother64, McSly, Melaen, Mindfreak2287, Misza13, Myscrnnm, Ned Scott, Neo-Jay, NeoBatfreak, NiciVampireHeart, Nickthephotographer, Niteshift36, Nouse4aname, Nscheffey, Nymf,ONEder Boy, Olivier, Onebadtown, PHIFOU62, PL290, Papyrus688, Paste, Patrick lovell, Pdburk, Pegship, Pterodactal, Quanticsoul, QuasyBoy, Quixoto, Qxz, R'n'B, Ratchetcomand,RattleandHum, RayneVanDunem, Roaring phoenix, RobertLunaIII, Rror, RyanGFilm, SarekOfVulcan, Savolya, SawyerSoze, Schmiteye, Scramble94, Seanmilloy, Sedelmayer, Shadowjams,ShelfSkewed, SigKauffman, SimonP, Skier23, Sngnisfuk, SoSaysChappy, Sox4lyfe, Spinerod, Spylab, Static Universe, Subman758, Sunuraju, Sweetstudent, Synchronism, Tatrgel, Terrasidius,Tfine80, Thiseye, Tim!, Tony Sandel, Treybien, Tsuinami, Tyw7, UDScott, Wasted Sapience, Wikislemur, Wildhartlivie, WurmWoode, Yamamoto Ichiro, Yankees10, Yashmanthegreat,ZimZalaBim, Zodiac0, Zvar, 371 anonymous edits

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