A Time to Kill

1996, Drama/Mystery & thriller, 2h 30m

56 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Overlong and superficial, A Time to Kill nonetheless succeeds on the strength of its skillful craftsmanship and top-notch performances. Read critic reviews

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A Time to Kill Photos

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Movie Info

Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter's brutal rape by shooting the bigoted men responsible for the crime as they are on their way to trial. He turns to Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey), an untested lawyer, to defend him. Brigance struggles to believe that he can get Hailey acquitted in this small, segregated Southern town, given Hailey's race and the deliberate nature of his crimes, but Carl has unshakable faith in him.

Cast & Crew

Sandra Bullock
Ellen Roark
Samuel L. Jackson
Carl Lee Hailey
Matthew McConaughey
Jake Tyler Brigance
Kevin Spacey
D.A. Rufus Buckley
Brenda Fricker
Ethel Twitty
Oliver Platt
Harry Rex Vonner
Charles S. Dutton
Sheriff Ozzie Walls
Ashley Judd
Carla Brigance
Patrick McGoohan
Judge Omar Noose
Donald Sutherland
Lucien Wilbanks
Kiefer Sutherland
Freddie Lee Cobb
John Diehl
Tim Nunley
Doug Hutchison
James Louis "Pete" Willard
Nicky Katt
Billy Ray Cobb
Joe Seneca
Rev. Isaiah Street
Chris Cooper
Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney
Anthony Heald
Dr. Wilbert Rodeheaver
Jonathan Hadary
Norman Reinfield
Byron Jennings
Brent Musgrove
Tonea Stewart
Gwen Hailey
Joel Schumacher
Director
Arnon Milchan
Producer
Michael G. Nathanson
Producer
Hunt Lowry
Producer
John Grisham
Producer
Akiva Goldsman
Screenwriter
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Critic Reviews for A Time to Kill

All Critics (56) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (18)
Full Review… Chris Peachment Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Full Review… Todd McCarthy Variety Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Janet Maslin New York Times Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… James Croot Stuff.co.nz Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Full Review… Lynnette Nicholas Common Sense Media Full Review… Film4 Staff Film4 Full Review… Walter Chaw Film Freak Central
View All Critic Reviews (56)

Audience Reviews for A Time to Kill

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