The Executioner's Song

source: The Executioner's Song

I managed to see this via Netflix streaming video. Gary Gilmore might have been just another petty criminal turned murderer, we hear about them, unfortunately, all the time. But his case was famous because it was the first execution after the death penalty had been reinstated in the USA in 1976. This movie is basically his true story. It is a bit long, at over 2 hours, and it slows down at times, but overall it is gripping viewing, and Tommy Lee Jones is just mesmerizing as Gary Gilmore. The story told here begins in 1976, during his last year of life, after he is once again paroled, this time to Provo, Utah where he had some relatives that would help him adjust and go straight. But Gilmore apparently was just one of those characters that had his own "morality", one where it only mattered what he wanted. If he wanted a case of beer, he just walked out of the store with it. He wanted a white truck that was more expensive than he could afford, and he needed a few hundred dollars in a couple of days. So robbery was the logical, to Gilmore, route. And killing the service station attendant, then the motel attendant, also seemed right to him. But he didn't get away with it. Christine Lahti is good as his cousin, Brenda Nicol, who cares for Gilmore but is frustrated that she cannot do anything to help him. Even better is Rosanna Arquette, 22 during filming, as the 19-yr-old divorcée with two small children, Nicole Baker. She fell for Gilmore, and he thought he had gone to heaven when they were in bed together, but his temper kept him from being able to relate to her except sporadically. He was mostly abusive. Eli Wallach is his Uncle Vern Damico with the shoe shop. This is a worthwhile movie, not only for the historical significance, but also for the performance of Tommy Lee Jones.

I first saw The Executioner's Song on a premium cable channel sometime in the mid-80s, and I loved the story which is close to what I remembered from less than a decade earlier when news of Gary Gilmore's pending execution and his fight for his sentence to go through, and I watch this movie every time I have a chance. Also I love Tommy Lee Jones in ever role he has ever played, as he is an excellent actor. I have one peeve, however. The real Gary Gilmore (at least according to the photographs and the footage I ever saw of him), had medium brown hair and very bright blue eyes. I think that a different actor should have played him at least to be true to how he really looked like. I could think of actors, such as Robert Redford, Harrison Ford, Jeff or Beau Bridges or (right at the top of my head) could have been actors that could have done just as much of a superb job as Tommy Lee Jones did, as they also did have the brown hair and the blue eyes, while Tommy Lee Jones had dark hair and brown eyes. Other than that, the movie was great that I seldom miss a chance when it airs on TV.

I was in Utah when they filmed this movie. I remember seeing the flurry of video trucks situated around the filming sites. More than once I was accidentally captured in some of the scenes but, of course, they were cut from the final draft. I thought Tommy Lee Jones did an excellent job acting. It was really brilliant. In fact all the actors were great. I happen to know that neither of the widows got any money from the making of this movie. Norman Mailer's excuse: the movie did not make enough money at the box office here is North America or in Europe. nor on video sales. Maybe so. Mr. Mailer did not show that he was too concerned, though. I knew Ben Bushnell and especially his wife, Debbie. Before she met Ben, she use to send me Green pancakes on my LDS mission in Minnesota (personal joke). We were friends from the LDS Institute of Religion across from Pasadena City College for years. Ben was a 6'5" gentle Ben. He was one of the "good guys" and showed great dedication to his God, family, and church. The funeral in South Pasadena was closed casket for a reason. Debbie didn't notice me at the funeral. She didn't notice anyone there. She was still in great shock. She didn't show any emotions until I approached her at the graveside services. She looked at me and then broke down sobbing. It was too much for me, also. Debbie is a courageous survivor and mother. Gary Gilmore was a low-life who did care who he killed & did not deserve recognition.

Norman Mailer's book about Gary Gilmore was compelling in the first half, but the second half was a limp, uphill struggle. There's no such problem in the TV adaptation, which is tighter and absorbing all the way through, with both Tommy Lee Jones and Rosanna Arquette giving two of the best performances of their careers... you now know why it's easy for us to forgive him for "Batman Forever" and her for "Off The Wall" (which she made the following year, and oh dear me that was BAD). This is available in both miniseries form and a shortened cable/theatrical version (to quote Buffy Summers, "We're talking violence, strong language, adult themes..."), but I actually prefer the TV version because while you get more nudity - female AND male - and more graphic scenes in the cable cut (not to mention lines like Rosanna's "Yeah, you and seven other motherf***ers"), it's at the expense of a little story coherence; you lose some seaminess in the miniseries version, but the tale is ultimately stronger, clearer and not so rushed. But either version is a must.

Some great country music including: Talk Good Boogie; Get it On Again; So Good Woman; This Time; Defying Gravity (Executioner's Song); Are You Ready for the Country all performed by Waylon Jennings. Also, One Piece at a Time Johnny Cash There's a few more that I can't identify. Certainly a good film but made better by having a decent soundtrack If anyone has a more complete soundtrack listing please share it. The movie is out on DVD but there's also another cut that may have more soundtrack music.

The Executioner's song is based on the Gary Gilmore case. Gary Gilmore murdered two innocent men in cold blood and when the courts found him guilty he was sentenced to death. When the chance of a appeal comes up giving Gilmore only 30 years. He decides to fight against it and accept his Execution in front of a Utah firing squad. Gilmore Wanted his freedom but if he could not have that then he wanted to die. Gary Gilmore was on 35 when he was paroled from prison after doing a 12 year sentence. By then Gilmore had spent more then half his life behind bars . When is released into his cousin Brenda's custody Gilmore finds Life on the outside to be different and difficult. Gilmore finds himself in a hurry . He wants money he wants love and he wants it NOW ! Gary only understands the way things work in prison. To him life on the outside is harder. When he meets Nicole a flighty blonde with kids and a woman who decides Gary is worth fighting for only then does his life start to turn around. But Gary has a issue of violence and of fear of losing the only sane thing in his life.When things don't start going right for them only then does Gary fall back on old habits and he adds a new weapon to his arsenal. Gary murders two men in cold blood after Nicole leaves him in terror fearing for her life. When Gary is arrested. He goes to court where he is found guilty .and sentenced to die the method is chosen by Gary and he chooses firing squad .When the lawyers file a appeal Gary becomes famous arguing that he wants to die. despite the people who argue that want him to live. Gary Gilmore finally gets his wish and pays for his crimes in Jan 1977 .by the Utah firing squad. Tommy Lee Jones always excellent in every role he takes Shines as Gary Gilmore. bring Gilmore's Jekyall and Hyde persona to life. Eli Wallach does a wonderful turn as Uncle Vern who at first wants to give Gary a chance then realizes Gary is nothing more then a rabid dog. Rosanna Arquette does such a god job here its hard to believe she was never a major star this movie shows her potential If you are a fan of the true crime genre . This one is a must watch classic and for very good reason. Its compelling and stays with you long after its over .

This is a rare occasion when an American movie is real and true. The amazing performance of Tommy Lee Jones is remarkable. It's a pity that today's Hollywood lost the ability to make movies like that.

i have seen this movie and it is a must have for any movie collection i would love to be able to find it i don't think it has been released on DVD yet. please if anyone knows where i can get this movie please let me know if you catch it on TV you will enjoy it tommy lee jone is exciting and rosanna arquette the girl friend is a knockout if you know what i mean the story is based on a true story which makes it that much more appealing to see i really don't know what else to say but they say you have to fill out ten lines to submit a comment so please excuse my babbling on i am just trying to fill in the ten lines that they ask for so please be patient with me but please see the movie if you get the chance you won't regret it have a great day

I just watched this for the 1st time in 20 years, & there were 2 scenes missing that I've specifically remembered that entire time. The 1st is where Gary & his uncle Vern are arm wrestling & Vern places a toothpick holder under the side where Gary's hand will land. The 2nd is in prison, Gary shows Vern that he's preparing for death by hanging upside down & doing vertical sit-ups. I also seem to remember that when I saw this movie as a kid, it aired over 2 nights on TV, which means it was at least 3 hours long. Great movie, but I can't help but wonder what else I'm missing... Any leads on the full version would be greatly appreciated.