Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson

Old ways die hard... and even now in the fast-changing American South, some old ways die harder than others. It's the lesson learned by Carl Lee Hailey, a Mississippi factory worker, when his ten-year...( read more  read more... )-old daughter is brutally assaulted by two racist thugs on a drunken spree. It's the lesson learned by eager young lawyer Jake Brigance, called upon to defend Carl Lee in court after Hailey shoots both men in an act of passionate retribution for the shattered innocence of his little girl. And it's the lesson learned by Ellen Roark, an energetic, ambitious and razor-sharp Boston-born law student at "Ole Miss." As Jake fights to defend Carl Lee, his own life and the safety of his family and colleagues become increasingly jeopardized. And now, as a full-scale conflagration simmers just below the surface and threatens to explode in this small, Southern community, Jake and Carl Lee must find a way to transcend their fundamental differences and work together for the same cause... equal justice.

Flixster Users

84% liked it

74,843 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

48 critics

R, 2 hrs. 25 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: 3,869 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,869)


  • September 28, 2009
    It?s a bit contrived but quite good, especially considering it?s a Joel Schumacher film!
  • December 21, 2008
    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"?
  • March 24, 2008
    Very close to the book which is also great. The acting is spectacular. A sad story but also optimistic. Fantastic!
  • March 3, 2008
    Great lines by Samuel, that's about it.
  • November 23, 2007
    best court room drama ive ever seen. very good
  • October 14, 2009
    An all-star cast and a great story.
  • October 11, 2009
    A very good film with an important story dealing not only with the race issues but with what is right and wrong. is justice, justice. Great cast who give great performances. a great film to watch.
  • October 3, 2009
    a really great movie with outstanding acting by the great cast esp. matthew mcconaughey in his best role by far, the only thing is that i think it dragged in some parts
  • September 18, 2009
    awsum movie, read the book
  • September 17, 2009
    One of my favorites!

Critic Reviews


June 6, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

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

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

View more A Time to Kill reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • pavacri23
    February 3, 2008
    the last time i saw this movie was 8 years ago
  • alisecmail
    December 1, 2007
    It was so wonderful movie,I watched it last night and I really enjoyed.The beginig of the film really made me nervous.
  • studdmufin04
    November 7, 2007
    Very powerful movie from start to finish, the end makes me so happy when he gets to hug his daughter Tonya its all I can do to hold back tears every time I watch that part.
  • bluelaurie
    May 28, 2007
    great story!!!
  • xxxxSofaxxxx
    April 17, 2007
    watch this for R.E
    nearly cried :( the starting is awful i felt so upset for that little girl i wanted to give her a hug
  • lorilc
    April 12, 2007
    Burn in hell, they will!!
  • dancelaughsexy
    February 6, 2007
    YES THEY DESERVE TO DIE AND I HOPE THEY BURN IN HELL. that was the most funniest part of the movie.
  • dancelaughsexy
    January 22, 2007
    so much for racism back in the day......brigance really made a difference in black ppl being freed from doing anything that was right but at the same time wrong.
  • aligater
    August 27, 2006
    I was once asked to write a one-A4 page summary exploring the moral issues of this - I wrote five! I highly recommend it to anyone studying media studies, religion, philosophy or if you're just looking for a good piece of cinematic genius on a night in.
  • justinmw22
    May 17, 2006
    sweett movie... its pretty intense!!

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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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