The Chamber (1996)

Director:

James Foley

Writers (WGA):

John Grisham (novel)
William Goldman (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Time is running out.

Plot:

A young man fresh out of law school tries to win a reprieve for his racist grandfather who is on death row.

Plot Keywords:

Box Office Flop | Inmate | Death Row | Grandfather Grandson Relationship | Alcohol

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Chris O'Donnell	...	Adam Hall
Gene Hackman	...	Sam Cayhall
Faye Dunaway	...	Lee Cayhall Bowen
Robert Prosky	...	E. Garner Goodman
Raymond J. Barry	...	Rollie Wedge / Donnie Cayhall (as Raymond Barry)
Bo Jackson	...	Sgt. Clyde Packer
Lela Rochon	...	Nora Stark
David Marshall Grant	...	Gov. David McAllister
Nicholas Pryor	...	Judge Flynn F. Slattery
Harve Presnell	...	Atty. Gen. Roxburgh
Richard Bradford	...	Wyn Lettner
Greg Goossen	...	J.B. Gullitt (as Gregory Goossen)
Seth Isler	...	Marvin B. Kramer
Millie Perkins	...	Ruth Kramer
Sid Johnson	...	Josh Kramer

MPAA:

Rated R for violent images and some language.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Philippines:PG-13 | Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #34851) | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:12 (bw) | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Davis Entertainment

Trivia:

'Ron Howard' was originally set to direct the film, but left the project to direct Ransom (1996). He stayed on as Executive Producer on the film.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: As Adam watches, the digital LED clock in his hotel room changes from 3:59 to 4:00 am, and makes a faint click as it does. Clocks of this kind do not make such sounds.

Quotes:

Sam Cayhall: Save me. Your don't look like you can save a turkey from Thanksgiving.

Soundtrack:

Fine Mi Lassa

Inside a chamber, thats about to explode...

Chris O'Donnell and Gene Hackman are true to the roles that they are portraying. At least they have every appearance of how I would see those kind of people in a trial. I have seen trials in person and in the media too. The K.K.K. own south and a man or a murderer. O'Donell is adamant and totally focused. The hatred is furious and blinding, as these not-so-good-Ole' boys gather, fight and even kill, under the belief of ' Racial purification '. But Samuel Kayhill (Hackman) is not what he appears to be. But as his time in Prison is coming to an end, the big 'ending', death, his grandson Adam Hall ( Chris O' Donell ) is running in fast motion to try and bring about an appeal, from the Govn. or a 'Stay' of execution.

The performances are gripping and powerful and the directing is detailed and well crafted.

I recommend this prison drama for drama and racial issues and a superb story. (****)