7.6/10
95,802
422 user 141 critic

The Life of David Gale (2003)

A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row.

Director:

Reviews
Popularity
3,767 ( 482)
3 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Barbara Kreuster
Constance Jones ...
Reporter A.J. Roberts
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Lee Ritchey ...
Joe Mullarkey
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Motel Waitress
Cindy Waite ...
Margie
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Duke Grover
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Jesse De Luna ...
Supervising Guard
Vernon Grote ...
Door Guard
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Storyline

When anti-death-penalty activist David Gale is convicted and condemned to death for the murder of a colleague, reporter Bitsey Bloom sets out to learn the story behind Gale's crime. What she finds challenges her belief in Gale's guilt and, finally, in the justice system. Written by Jim Beaver <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The crime is clear. The truth is not.

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent images, nudity, language and sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

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Language:

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Release Date:

6 March 2003 (Israel)  »

Also Known As:

Das Leben des David Gale  »

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Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,117,225, 23 February 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$19,593,740, 30 March 2003

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,971,092, 6 November 2003
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene where Gale is drunk in downtown Austin (6th street) was somewhat improvised and shot with two lights and a camera. "Most of those people aren't extras," Alan Parker said to an audience at the University of Washington. See more »

Goofs

Huntsville Texas is about four hours away from Austin Texas, yet Bitsy drives back and forth between the two several times during the film and is able to make her 3:00pm meeting time with David in the prison. See more »

Quotes

David Gale: How do we start?
Bitsey Bloom: We start with... you telling me what I'm doing here.
David Gale: No one who looks through that glass sees a person. They see a crime. I'm not David Gale. I'm a murderer and a rapist... four days shy of his execution.
See more »

Connections

References 60 Minutes (1968) See more »

Soundtracks

Daughters and Sons
(2003)
Written by King Orba (as King Orba)
Performed by King Orba (as King Orba)
Courtesy of Half Mast Records
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Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Wow
23 February 2003 | by – See all my reviews

"The Life of David Gale" is a terrific thriller and is one of the best of 2003. Despite going to this movie through the worst date of my life... shudder, I still have nightmares, this movie was the silver lining. I was very excited to see this movie because it has such an awesome actor, obviously Kevin Spacey and then a great actress Kate Winslet.

This political thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you guessing what's going to happen next. Wither you're for or against or undecided about the death penalty, this movie gets to you and keeps you thinking after wards about our justice system in the United States. David Gale is an accused murderer on death row, his last few days he requests to be interviewed by Bitsey Bloom, a journalist who likes to keep her mouth shut even when she shouldn't. He tells her his incredible story about from being one of the most respected men in Texas to one of the most hated for being accused of rape.

"No one sees a person when they look through that glass, they see a murderer and a rapist three days shy of his execution". Is he guilty or not? Trying to figure this out in the story you jump to your own conclusion, this man has been accused of rape, murder, he's lost his family and friends. Take away everything and find out if people just overlook cases or if we should judge the first minute we hear one side of the story. The Life of David Gale is an amazing story that will keep you interested. Just trust me, it's a great movie. I can even watch it without having nightmares about my horrific date. :) OK, just watch it.

10/10


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