A Lesson Before Dying
“A young man's destiny becomes a teacher's journey.”
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.
Top Cast
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Don Cheadle
Grant Wiggins
Cicely Tyson
Tante Lou
Mekhi Phifer
Jefferson
Irma P. Hall
Miss Emma
Brent Jennings
Reverend Ambrose
Lisa Arrindell
Vivian Baptiste
Dana Ivey
Edna Guidry
Frank Hoyt Taylor
Sheriff Guidry
Stuart Culpepper
Henri Pichot
Von Coulter
Farrell Jarreau
Elijah Kelley
Clarence
Wynton Yates
Louis Washington
Patty Mack
Inez
Jameelah Nuriddin
Irene
Cierra Meche
Estelle
Sonny Shroyer
Defence Attourney
Clay Chappell
Deputy Paul
Sahr Ngaujah
Brother
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 25, 2000
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Joseph Sargent
- Screenplay & Story
- Ernest J. Gaines, Ann Peacock
- Original Score
- Ernest Troost
- Original Title
- A Lesson Before Dying
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 41m
- Production Studios
- Spanky Pictures, Ellen M. Krass Productions, HBO Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Joseph Sargent
Ernest J. Gaines, Ann Peacock
Ernest Troost
Michael Brown
Robert Benedetti, Ted Demme, Ellen Krass, Joel Stillerman, Rick Dallago
Department Leadership Roster
Joseph Sargent
Director
Robert Benedetti
Producer
Rick Dallago
Producer
Ernest Troost
Original Music Composer
Michael Brown
Editor
Charles C. Bennett
Production Design
Hope Hanafin
Costume Design
Chuck Jeffreys
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Suitable only for 12 years and over.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for A Lesson Before Dying.
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Frequently Asked Questions About A Lesson Before Dying
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
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 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.
Who directed A Lesson Before Dying?
A Lesson Before Dying was directed by Joseph Sargent.
Who stars in A Lesson Before Dying?
The principal cast of A Lesson Before Dying includes Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson, Mekhi Phifer, Irma P. Hall, Brent Jennings.
When was A Lesson Before Dying released and how long is it?
A Lesson Before Dying was released in 1999 with a total runtime of 1h 41m.
Who composed the musical score for A Lesson Before Dying?
The original motion picture soundtrack for A Lesson Before Dying was composed by Ernest Troost.
Is A Lesson Before Dying based on a book or true story?
A Lesson Before Dying is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Ernest J. Gaines".
What is the age rating and content advisory for A Lesson Before Dying?
A Lesson Before Dying holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); GB: 12 (Suitable only for 12 years and over.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).