A Lesson Before Dying
"A young man's destiny becomes a teacher's journey."
Originally released in 1999. A Lesson Before Dying is a drama film. directed by Joseph Sargent.
Starring Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson, and Mekhi Phifer
Synopsis
In the 1940s South, an African-American man is wrongly accused of the killing a a white store owner. In his defense, his white attorney equates him with a lowly hog, to indicate that he didn't have the sense to know what he was doing. Nevertheless convicted, he is sentenced to die, but his godmother and the aunt of the local schoolteacher convince school teacher go to the convicted man's cell each day to try to reaffirm to him that he is not an animal but a man with dignity.
Quick Facts
Release Date
May 22, 1999
26 years ago
Runtime
1h 41m
101 minutes total
User Rating
4.8/10
Mixed (16 votes)
Language
English
Original language
Country
United States of America
Production
Director
Top Cast
Don Cheadle
as Grant Wiggins
Cicely Tyson
as Tante Lou
Mekhi Phifer
as Jefferson
Irma P. Hall
as Miss Emma
Brent Jennings
as Reverend Ambrose
Lisa Arrindell
as Vivian Baptiste
Dana Ivey
as Edna Guidry
Frank Hoyt Taylor
as Sheriff Guidry
Stuart Culpepper
as Henri Pichot
Von Coulter
as Farrell Jarreau
Production Details
- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- EN
Production Companies
- Spanky Pictures
- Ellen M. Krass Productions
- HBO Films
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Lesson Before Dying about?
In the 1940s South, an African-American man is wrongly accused of the killing a a white store owner. In his defense, his white attorney equates him with a lowly hog, to indicate that he didn't have...
Who directed A Lesson Before Dying?
A Lesson Before Dying was directed by Joseph Sargent.
How long is A Lesson Before Dying?
A Lesson Before Dying has a runtime of 1 hours and 41 minutes (101 minutes total).
When was A Lesson Before Dying released?
A Lesson Before Dying was released on May 22, 1999 in theaters.
Who are the main actors in A Lesson Before Dying?
The main cast of A Lesson Before Dying includes Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson, Mekhi Phifer, Irma P. Hall, Brent Jennings.