ThiefHott Too much of everything

Infamousta brilliant actors, brilliant editing

Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

PimpinAinttEasy I am currently reading the "true life" novel on which this movie is based. The movie is a lot like the book - very simple and candid with scenes that are mostly devoid of narrative punctuation.The movie is based on a real life character called Gary Gilmore who decided to not defend himself in a murder trial. In fact, he asked for his own execution. Gilmore spent most of his life in jail and the film is mostly about how he tries to settle back into normal life in Utah when he is on parole. The film tells us a lot about the way of life within the predominantly Mormon community in Utah.The film is not as detailed as the book (which runs into more than a 1000 pages) and in fact leaves out a lot of good parts.The performances were satisfactory. Tommy Lee Jones was very good - he plays Gilmore like the sociopath that he was. Unfortunately the film has next to nothing about Gilmore's artistic inclinations - Gilmore was good at drawings and was well read. Rosanna Arquette plays the women half his age with whom he has an intense love affair (they even enter into a suicide pact when Gary is in jail). Eli Wallach and Christine Lahiti are very good as Gary's family. But none of the performances blew me away.There were a few scenes which jarred due to use of background music and did not fit in with the overall tone of the movie (like the scene where Gary has a fight with his cousin Brenda). I liked the country song played during the titles.There are many beautiful long shots of the Utah sunsets and used car lots.The final scenes where Gilmore is executed are quite frightening.(6/10)

blanche-2 "The Executioner's Song" from 1982 was a TV movie, and on Netflix, I believe they send out the director's cut. It has lots of Roseanna Arquette's breasts and other body parts.Based on the book by Norman Mailer (who also wrote the screenplay), this is the story of Gary Gilmore, who became famous by demanding that the state of Utah go ahead with his execution. It was the first execution in the US since the 1960s and the first since 1972 when the Supreme Court ruled that death sentences prior to that date were unconstitutional, which is why the Manson group was not executed.Gilmore, who requested to face a firing squad, became kind of a cause celebre. As a hero of some sort, I suppose he fits in well with today's idea of a celebrity. He was basically a loser who always chose the easy way out. When he was released on parole for robbery, he had the help and support of his cousin (Christine Lahti) and his uncle (Eli Wallach), but he was unable to hold down a job and became obsessed with a 19-year-old (Arquette) with two children.He then returned to the robbery business and for no good reason shot and killed two people after he robbed them.I believe this was a TV movie in two parts, so what I saw was shortened. As a result, to make way for Arquette's body, there was quite a bit cut, making it jerky.My main problem was getting any sympathy going for Gilmore or Arquette. Tommy Lee Jones did a terrific job, but even though Gary's family loved him and just hated the things he did, I as an audience member didn't share their feelings. As far as I'm concerned, he wanted to die because he didn't want to stay in prison. He robbed so he could pay for a truck and didn't have to work. Same old story - the easy way out.This story was described as "tragic." The tragedy is that the Arquette character had two children. She was a whack job who tried to commit suicide so that she and Gary could continue their affair in heaven. It said at the end of the movie that she moved and started over. I hope for the sake of her kids that she made it. I have no doubt with her figure she met somebody. Let's hope it wasn't another loser.

fargotennis 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.

mike 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.