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Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Kevin Spacey, Brenda Fricker ... see more see more... , Oliver Platt , Chris Cooper , John Diehl , Charles S. Dutton , Beth Grant , Jonathan Hadary , Anthony Heald , Doug Hutchison , Ashley Judd , Nicky Katt , Terry Loughlin , Benjamin Mouton , Joe Seneca , Kurtwood Smith , Tonea Stewart , Donald Sutherland , Kiefer Sutherland , Graham Timbes , M. Emmet Walsh , Patrick McGoohan , Mark W. Johnson , Andy Stahl , Byron Jennings , Greg Lauren , Alexandra Kyle , Tim Parati , Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly , Matthew Mc Conaughey

Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) takes the law into his own hands after the legal system fails to adequately punish the men who brutally raped and beat his daughter, leaving her for dead. Normally,... read more read more... a distraught father could count on some judicial sympathy in those circumstances. Unfortunately, Carl and his daughter are black, and the assailants are white, and all the events take place in the South. Indeed, so inflammatory is the situation, that the local KKK (led by Kiefer Sutherland) becomes popular again. When Hailey chooses novice lawyer Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) to handle his defense, it begins to look like a certainty that Carl will hang, and Jake's career (and perhaps his life) will come to a premature end. Despite the efforts of the NAACP and local black leaders to persuade Carl to choose some of their high-powered legal help, he remains loyal to Jake, who had helped his brother with a legal problem before the story begins. Jake eventually takes this case seriously enough to seek help from his old law-school professor (Donald Sutherland). When death threats force his family to leave town, Jake even accepts the help of pushy young know-it-all lawyer Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock). ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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83% liked it

88,981 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

51 critics

R, 2 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Joel Schumacher

Release Date: July 24, 1996

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DVD Release Date: August 22, 1997

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Stats: 4,324 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,324)

  • jmanard52
    March 22, 2007
    jmanard52
    I still believe this is one of the best grisham film adaptaions.
  • LWOODS04
    September 22, 2011
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Spacey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Charles S. Dutton, Oliver Platt, Brenda Fricker, Donald Sutherland, Ashley Judd, Tonea Stewart, John Diehl, Chris Cooper, Nicky Katt, Kurtwood Smith, Beth Grant, Joe Seneca, Anthony Heald, Alexandra Kyle,... read more Kiefer Sutherland

    Director: Joel Schumacher

    Summary: When two white men brutally rape a young black girl in a small Mississippi town, the child's vengeful father (Samuel L. Jackson) fears their acquittal and takes the law into his own hands. But as his trial date approaches, all hell breaks loose. Aided by lawyer Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) and his spunky legal assistant (Sandra Bullock), the father fights to stay out of prison and salve his daughter's terrible memories.

    My Thoughts: "By far one of the best movies I have ever seen. All the performances where outstanding. Some of my favorite actors are in this movie so that was a plus. But more then anything, it was the story line that brought me to watch this movie that I have seen multiple times. The best John Grisham story put to film. The story is tragic, sickening, and intense. But inspiring as well."
  • DreamExtractor
    April 4, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    The first 20 minutes of Face/Off is the most haunting memory of cinema for me since the end of Se7en. The rest of it is interesting but not as intense. The cast is great, story caught my attention, but the side plots are so uninteresting. Overall, a great movie, with horrible ... read moreside stories they made really boring.
  • 76Majikat
    September 23, 2010
    76Majikat
    I can?t remember exactly how many times I?ve watched this film, but it?s one I return to over and over again. The power of the story and the struggle to determine a fair verdict and trial in this film, is it?s unique selling point. The sumising speech at the end of this film ha... read mores always stayed with me and is a very profound point of the film.

    A horrific, unthinkable crime that created revenge so deep that it will have you debating the rights and wrongs throughout.

    Whilst Samuel L Jackson has made many films and many more than this one are famous for him and because of him, but this for me is the best performance Jackson has given to date, a serious role, with a believable performance and a much deeper, more meaningful approach to many of his other films.

    This still remains to be one of my favourite films and an absolute recommendation for anyone who enjoys serious Drama.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    January 7, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    Lovely and depressing. Gotta love watching racists and the KKK antagonize people. Was impressed by all the stars and Matthew McConaughey's performance.
  • SirPant
    September 28, 2009
    SirPant
    It?s a bit contrived but quite good, especially considering it?s a Joel Schumacher film!
  • FiLmCrAzY
    April 14, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    i personally love this movie, its powerful, moving and action packed! its about a black fathers anger when his daughter gives raped by two white men that he goes a shoots them and kills them and is them arrested, matthew mcconaughy is the lawyer trying to make the jury see where ... read morethe samual l jackson is coming from and is feeling as in the south of america it was still racist and would lock any black man up without battering an eyelid this film is soo worth a watch!!
  • matertenebraum
    December 21, 2008
    matertenebraum
    This movie dealt with such a deplorable subject.. such a sickening act, without so much as one single gratuitously violent scene in the whole perfectly realised masterpiece.

    It's a chilling, thought-provoking, hard-hitting piece that's taut, absorbing, and impeccably well-paced.... read more

    There are jaw-dropping performances by numerous top-flight actors here, not a one letting the ball drop even once! Not one actor's time or talents were wasted in this extremely well thought-out project.. not one actor wasted our money we paid to see it.

    Matthew McConaughey's "Jake Brigance" was an incredibly lucky first shot of an acting debut that he took and ran with like the wind, turning in an amazing, heart-stopping, truly star-making performance, which may prove to be the crowning achievement of his entire career when all is said and done.. It will be a treacherous climb to try and top it, certainly.

    Class act Donald Sutherland is superbly cast in a quiet, and profound role, as "Jake"'s, {now no longer practicing}, professor, a perfect fit, this role, for a man of such rare eloquence~ There is a sizzling sub-story going on between "Jake", a devoted family man, and Sandra Bullock's character that could not have been tighter, steamier, nor more well written and played out.

    I recommend this movie to anyone who believes in justice, who has a child, or only knows a child.

    You want cheap, tawdry, sleazy, violent 'entertainment'? There's not one thing here for you~

    Killing cannot be considered "right" by any means; but sometimes it's just not as simple as "THOU SHALT NOT KILL".

    So many of us say, "I would kill for my children, {or other loved one's}!".. but would we? ..Would we be in the "right"?
  • Chiefilms
    March 3, 2008
    Chiefilms
    Great lines by Samuel, that's about it.
  • sanjurosamurai
    November 23, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    best court room drama ive ever seen. very good

View All A Time to Kill Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
June 14, 2009
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

A likable -- maybe even lovable -- movie. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
October 8, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Although it has its share of implausibilities, A Time To Kill is generally the most satisfying of the John Grisham screen adaptations to date. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

If the film doesn't add up to a cogent legal argument, neither does it have trouble delivering 2 hours and 20 minutes' worth of sturdy, highly charged drama. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 18, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Untrained as an actor, with only three minor roles to his credit, McConaughey holds the screen against Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock and Kevin Spacey, and completely justifies the buzz surrounding... Full Review

Peter Travers
June 6, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

McConaughey, 26, is dynamite in a performance of smarts, sexiness, scrappy humor and unmistakable star sizzle.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A skillfully constructed morality play that pushes all the right buttons and arrives at all the right conclusions. Full Review

Anthony Puccinelli
January 1, 2000
Anthony Puccinelli, Chicago Reader

Like many artists today, Grisham and Schumacher exploit racial tension without understanding it. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Despite certain drawbacks, A Time to Kill is involving, energetic, and occasionally thought-provoking. All things considered, this film will make for a worthwhile trip to the cinema for all, not just ... Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

A handsome but riotously cluttered melodrama with maybe 145 subplots.

June 14, 2009
TV Guide's Movie Guide

What craven offal! Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Carl Lee Hailey: Yes they deserve to die and I hope they burn in Hell!
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A Time to Kill Trivia

  • In what movie did Samuel L. Jackson play a pissed off father?  Answer »
  • A lawyer and his assistant fighting to save a father on trial for murder. A time to question what they believe. starring Matthew Mcconaughy, Sandra Bullock and Samuel L. Jackson.  Answer »
  • Which movie was this quote from, "Yes I think they deserve to die, and I hope they burn in hell".  Answer »
  • Which of the following movies is not based on a Stephen King story?  Answer »
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