A Lesson Before Dying Movie Review 1999

Cheadle's impressive as idealistic teacher Grant Wiggins, who has a one-room school for black children in 1948 Louisiana. He's reluctantly pressed into service by his formidable Aunt Lou (Tyson) and her friend Miss Emma (Hall), who want him to bring some dignity to the life of Jefferson (Phifer). This is no easy task since the young man is awaiting execution for a crime he didn't commit. Based on the 1993 novel by Ernest J. Gaines.

Distribution

HBO, 1100 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, Phone: (212)512-7400, Fax: (212)512-7498, URL: http://www.hbo.com, Remarks: Online sales through www.store.hbo.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 100 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Men in Prison, Dedicated Teachers, African America, American South, Death Row, Period Piece: 1940s

Screenplay

Ann Peacock

Cast

Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson, Mekhi Phifer, Irma P. Hall, Brent Jennings, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Frank Hoyt Taylor

Cinematography

Donald M. Morgan

Director

Joseph Sargent

Music

Ernest Troost

Producer

HBO NYC Productions