When the skeleton of his murdered predecessor is found, Sheriff Sam Deeds unearths many other long-buried secrets in his Texas border town.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 15 wins & 18 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Stephen Mendillo | ... |
Cliff
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Stephen J. Lang | ... |
Mikey
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| Chris Cooper | ... |
Sam
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| Elizabeth Peña | ... |
Pilar
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| Oni Faida Lampley | ... |
Celie
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Eleese Lester | ... |
Molly
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| Joe Stevens | ... |
Deputy Travis
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Gonzalo Castillo | ... |
Amado
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| Richard Coca | ... |
Enrique
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| Clifton James | ... |
Hollis
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| Tony Frank | ... |
Fenton
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| Miriam Colon | ... |
Mercedes Cruz
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| Kris Kristofferson | ... |
Charlie Wade
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| Jeff Monahan | ... |
Young Hollis
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| Matthew McConaughey | ... |
Buddy Deeds
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| Joe Morton | ... |
Del
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| LaTanya Richardson Jackson | ... |
Priscilla Worth
(as LaTanya Richardson)
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| Eddie Robinson | ... |
Chet
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| Ron Canada | ... |
Otis
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| Chandra Wilson | ... |
Athena
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Damon Guy | ... |
Shadow
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Dee Macaluso | ... |
Anglo Mother
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Luis Cobo | ... |
Mexican-American Father
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| Marco Perella | ... |
Anglo Father
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| Don Phillips Jr. | ... |
Principal
(as Don Phillips)
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Mary Jane R. Hernandez | ... |
Mexican-American Mother
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| Jesse Borrego | ... |
Danny
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Carina Martinez | ... |
Paloma
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| Tony Plana | ... |
Ray
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| Richard Andrew Jones | ... |
Ben Wetzel
(as Richard A. Jones)
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Beatrice Winde | ... |
Minnie Bledsoe
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| Gabriel Casseus | ... |
Young Otis
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Randy Stripling | ... |
Roderick
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Richard Reyes | ... |
Jorge
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Olga Luna | ... |
Waitress
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Juan Vega III | ... |
Cook
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Lizzie Curry Martinez | ... |
Girl
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| Leo Burmester | ... |
Cody
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| Carmen De Lavallade | ... |
Carolyn
(as Carmen de Lavallade)
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| Vanessa Martinez | ... |
Young Pilar
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| Tay Strathairn | ... |
Young Sam
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| Sam Vlahos | ... |
Pete
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Maricela Gonzalez | ... |
Anselma
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| Tony Amendola | ... |
Chucho Montoya
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Gilbert R. Cuellar Jr. | ... |
Eladio
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James Borrego | ... |
Young Chucho
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| Gordon Tootoosis | ... |
Wesley Birdsong
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Lisa Suarez | ... |
Marisol
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Jesus Ramirez | ... |
Driver
(as Jesús Ramirez)
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| Frances McDormand | ... |
Bunny
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John Griesemer | ... |
Football Announcer (voice)
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Eduardo Martínez | ... |
Jaime
(as Eduardo Martinez)
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Azalea Mendez | ... |
Young Mercedes
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| David Eisen | ... |
Precision Motorcyclist (uncredited)
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Murray Mead | ... |
Man at breakfest table (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Sayles | ... | (directed by) |
Written by
| John Sayles | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Jan Foster | ... | associate producer |
| R. Paul Miller | ... | producer |
| Maggie Renzi | ... | producer |
| John Sloss | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Mason Daring | ||
Cinematography by
| Stuart Dryburgh | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| John Sayles | ||
Editorial Department
| Josh Brockman | ... | post-production assistant |
| Monica De Armond | ... | post-production assistant |
| Mario Ontal | ... | assistant editor |
| David Orr | ... | color timer |
| Plummy Tucker | ... | associate editor |
Casting By
| Avy Kaufman | ||
Production Design by
| Dan Bishop | ||
Art Direction by
| J. Kyler Black | ... | (as Kyler Black) |
Set Decoration by
| Dianna Freas | ||
Costume Design by
| Shay Cunliffe | ||
Makeup Department
| Roy Bryson | ... | key hair stylist |
| Maria Camino | ... | assistant makeup artist |
| Lori Hicks | ... | key makeup artist |
| Martha Mendez | ... | assistant makeup artist |
| Caroline Rempher | ... | hair stylist |
| Susan Todd | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Robert Labrecque | ... | production manager |
| Caitlin Maloney | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Galia Hardy | ... | second second assistant director |
| Brian O'Kelley | ... | second assistant director |
| John Powditch | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Jamie Bishop | ... | on-set dresser (as James Bishop) |
| Bart Brown | ... | set dresser |
| Susan Bucciarelli | ... | scenic |
| Robert Buncher | ... | gang boss |
| Scott Byrd | ... | set dresser |
| Don L. Carr | ... | props assistant (as Don Carr) |
| Carolyn Cartwright | ... | assistant set decorator |
| Jose Luis de la Garza | ... | scenic |
| William H. Franko | ... | carpenter (as William Franko) |
| David Hack | ... | leadman |
| Mark Heredia | ... | art department production assistant |
| Mario Herrera | ... | scenic |
| Janet Kalas | ... | charge scenic |
| Caitlin Maloney | ... | art department coordinator |
| Shane Patrick | ... | set dresser |
| Geri Lynn Peterson | ... | assistant property master |
| Buster Pile | ... | construction coordinator |
| Gerarda Pizzarello | ... | paint foreman |
| Eugene Pope | ... | carpenter (as Gene Pope) |
| Michael G. Richer | ... | construction foreman (as Michael Richer) |
| Gilbert Sanchez | ... | carpenter |
| Philip Schneider | ... | property master |
| Kenny Strickland | ... | set dresser |
| Ricardo Villarreal | ... | scenic |
| Robert Lee Whitlock II | ... | set dresser (as Rob Lee Whitlock II) |
| Juan Zaragoza | ... | carpenter |
Sound Department
| Michael Barry | ... | sound re-recording engineer |
| Kam Chan | ... | foley editor |
| Benjamin Cheah | ... | sound effects recordist (as Ben Cheah) |
| Marko A. Costanzo | ... | foley artist (as Marko Costanzo) |
| Chris Fielder | ... | transfer assistant |
| Eugene Gearty | ... | sound effects editor |
| Lewis Goldstein | ... | sound effects editor (as Lew Goldstein) |
| Frank Kern | ... | foley editor |
| Sylvia Menno | ... | dialogue editor |
| Caroline Hall Otis | ... | cable puller |
| Bruce Pross | ... | foley recordist |
| Gail Showalter | ... | adr editor (as Gail Stockton) |
| Stuart Stanley | ... | foley editor |
| Philip Stockton | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Steven Visscher | ... | foley editor (as Steve Visscher) |
| Jennifer Winslow | ... | boom operator (as Jennifer C. Winslow) |
| Clive Winter | ... | sound mixer |
| Al Gomez | ... | adr mixer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Jack Bennett | ... | special effects coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Abby Antweil | ... | additional grip |
| Kevin Boyd | ... | video assist |
| Diane Broussalian | ... | camera loader |
| Buzzy Burwell | ... | best boy electric |
| Mark Shane Davis | ... | key grip |
| Art Garza Jr. | ... | grip production assistant |
| Curtis Herbert | ... | additional grip |
| Edison Jackson | ... | grip |
| Brent L. Jones | ... | additional grip |
| Paul Kloss | ... | electrician |
| Steve Lang | ... | key rigging grip |
| Mitchell Linden | ... | best boy grip |
| Jimmy Lindsey | ... | additional second assistant camera (as Jimmy W. Lindsey) |
| Mark Manthey | ... | grip |
| David McGill | ... | steadicam operator |
| Christopher J. Meyer | ... | electrician |
| Ted Morris | ... | first assistant camera |
| Brian W. Nordheim | ... | second assistant camera (as Brian Nordheim) |
| Maura Osborne | ... | rigging electrician (as Maura Osbourne) |
| Alan Pappe | ... | still photographer (as Alan Pappé) |
| Peter Pearce | ... | electrician |
| Bill Pierson | ... | dolly grip |
| Scott H. Ramsey | ... | gaffer |
| Robert B. Reynolds | ... | rigging grip (as Robert Reynolds) |
| Matt Richardson | ... | additional grip (as Matthew K. Richardson) |
| Wally Rowell | ... | electrician (as Walton Rowell) |
| Walter Royle | ... | additional grip |
| Alisa Siegel | ... | camera production assistant |
| Ralph Watson | ... | steadicam operator |
Casting Department
| Lizzie Curry Martinez | ... | extras casting director |
| Julie Lichter | ... | casting assistant (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Shari Gray | ... | key costumer |
| Sevilla Iovacchini | ... | wardrobe assistant (as Sevilla Granger) |
| Mayes C. Rubeo | ... | wardrobe supervisor (as Mayes Rubeo) |
Location Management
| James Crowley | ... | uncredited |
| Tammye McDavid | ... | location production assistant |
| Deborah Parker | ... | location manager |
| Carla Raij | ... | assistant location manager |
Music Department
| Bruce Bennett | ... | music assistant (as Bruce Bennet) |
| Mason Daring | ... | score performer |
| Arlene Fishbach | ... | music consultant |
| Evan Harlan | ... | score performer |
| Tim Jackson | ... | score performer |
| Duke Levine | ... | score performer |
| Larry Luddecke | ... | score performer |
| Billy Novick | ... | score performer |
| Nic Ratner | ... | music editor |
| David Shacter | ... | music score engineer / music score mixer |
| Mike Turk | ... | score performer |
| Marshall Wood | ... | score performer (as Marshal Wood) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Mary Cybulski | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Jorge Betancourt | ... | driver |
| Juan Betancourt | ... | driver |
| Billy Cude | ... | driver |
| Rolando De Hoyos | ... | driver (as Rolando de Hoyos) |
| Jim Dicuffa | ... | transportation captain (as Jim DiCuffa) |
| Yolanda B. Flores | ... | driver |
| Bill Girard | ... | driver |
| Leo Perez | ... | driver |
| Phil Schriber | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Jesus F. Tellez | ... | driver (as Jessie Tellez) |
| Jesus Vallejo | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
| Alexis Arnold | ... | assistant coordinator |
| Sara Ballon | ... | production assistant |
| Randall Balsmeyer | ... | title designer |
| Melody Beam | ... | set production assistant |
| Fernando Y. Cedillo | ... | production assistant |
| Nathan R. Fitzgerald | ... | set production assistant (as Nathan Fitzgerald) |
| David G. Fortis | ... | chef's helper |
| David Glassman | ... | forensic anthropologist (as Dr. David Glassman) |
| Rob Harris | ... | unit publicist |
| Bill Hershey | ... | chef |
| Karyn Kusama | ... | office manager: New York |
| Mitch Marovitz | ... | military advisor (as Lt. Col. Mitch Marovitz) |
| Angela Quiles | ... | production coordinator |
| Paal Ronnes | ... | production assistant |
| Nick Sanders | ... | craft service / medic |
| Renée Smith | ... | production assistant |
| Shari Sontag | ... | assistant accountant |
| Danielle Sotet | ... | post-production accountant |
| Mike Sullivan | ... | tutor |
| Kevin Vizard | ... | assistant chef |
| Alan Jacques | ... | projectionist (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Columbia Pictures
- Castle Rock Entertainment (presents)
- Rio Dulce (producer)
Distributors
- Sony Pictures Classics (1996) (United States) (theatrical)
- Filmayer (1996) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Rank Film Distributors (1996) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- UGC-Fox Distribution (UFD) (1996) (France) (theatrical)
- Columbia TriStar Films (1997) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Concorde-Castle Rock/Turner (1997) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Filmes Lusomundo (1997) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1997) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Monopole-Pathé (1997) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1997) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina (1997) (Argentina)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1997) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Finnkino (1997) (Finland) (VHS)
- LK-TEL (1997) (Argentina) (VHS)
- SF Video (1997) (Sweden) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- AVU-Video-Vertriebs-GmbH (2000) (Germany) (VHS)
- Argentina Video Home (2000) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2000) (Finland) (DVD)
- Sandrews (2000) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (Japan) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2001) (Finland) (tv) (TV2)
- Living Colour Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Turner Classic Movies (TCM) (2009) (United States) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2010) (United States) (DVD)
- Medusa Distribuzione (1997) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (Brazil) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (United States) (laserdisc)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Balsmeyer and Everett (titles designed and produced by)
- Boston Light & Sound (dailies projection)
- C5 (post production sound)
- D. Bassett & Associates (negative matching)
- Daring Studios (music score recorded and mixed at)
- KBTX-TV (courtesy of: footage from Texas A&M 1990 football game)
- Location Caterers (caterers)
- Orion Pictures (courtesy of: footage from "Black Mama, White Mama")
- Panavision (camera equipment)
- Shark Production Services (grip equipment)
- Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo (legal services)
- Sound One Corporation (mixed at)
- Technicolor Film Services (negative processing)
- The Effects House (opticals)
- Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) (vhs package design and summary)
- Xeno Lights (lighting equipment)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
John Sayles' murder-mystery explores interpersonal and interracial tensions in Rio County, Texas. Sam Deeds is the local sheriff who is called to investigate a 40-year-old skeleton found in the desert....As Sam delves deeper into the town's dark secrets, he begins to learn more about his father, the legendary former sheriff Buddy Deeds, who replaced the corrupt Charlie Wade. While Sam puzzles out the long-ago events surrounding the mystery corpse, he also longs to rekindle a romance with his old high-school flame. Sayles' complex characters are brought together as the tightly-woven plot finally draws to its dramatic close.
Written by Tad Dibbern |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | John Sayles invites you to return to the scene of the crime. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $5,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $3,845,000, 19 Jul 1996 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | This film is known for its excellent use of live seques, in which scenes change within a single camera shot; in this case, shifting in back and forth through time in the same location. See more » |
| Goofs | When Col. Payne enters Big O's bar, the birds (Eagles denoting full colonel rank) on his shoulders are upside down. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Eraser/Wallace and Gromit: The Best of Aardman Animation/The Hunchback of Notre Dame/Lone Star/Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Mi Unico Camino See more » |
| Quotes |
Cliff:
I never thought I'd see that a buddy of mine would be dating a woman with three bars on her shoulder. Mickey: I think it's beyond what you'd call dating. Cliff: You're gonna get married? Mickey: Maybe. Cliff: You met her family? Think her family's gonna be OK that you're a white guy? Mickey: They think any woman over 30 who isn't married is a lesbian. She figures, they'll be so relieved that I'm a man... Cliff: Yeah, it's always heartwarming to see a prejudice defeated by a deeper prejudice. See more » |