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Deadline

EMAILPRINTBig Mouth Productions

Deadline reviews
71
7.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 1 votes
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Documentary

Written by:

Directed by: Katy Chevigny
Kirsten Johnson

Release Date:
Theatrical: June 4, 2004
DVD: October 5, 2004

Running Time: 90 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: Not Rated

Starring George Ryan, Anthony Amsterdam, Stephen Bright, Donald Cabana, Gary Gauger, Cornelia Grumman, Lawrence Hayes, and Grayland Johnson

In Deadline, directors Katy Chevigny and Kirsten Johnson tackle the volatile topic of the American capital punishment system with intelligence, compassion and balance. Furthermore, they capture the extraordinary transformation of one man, former Illinois governor George Ryan, who holds the power of life and death in his hands. (Big Mouth Productions)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

80

The Hollywood Reporter James Greenberg

The film is an example of social activism at its best; it's not only enlightening, but it's an engrossing story that a smart television audience should embrace.

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80

Variety Dennis Harvey

Potent docudocu by Katy Chevigny and Kirsten Johnson makes a strong case against capital punishment by pointing up the fallibility of the justice system, while offering an inspiring portrait of one politico who actually seems guided foremost by conscience.

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75

New York Post V.A. Musetto

So potent, it could change the mind of even the most staunch defender of capital punishment.

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75

San Francisco Chronicle Jonathan Curiel

There is no rage here or Michael Moore-like bluster. Instead, Deadline is a straightforward, compassionate look at a volatile subject.

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75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

A sober, even low-key documentary about how the American death penalty system is broken and probably can’t be fixed.

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75

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

A prime example of advocacy journalism--a form often criticized but perfectly honorable. Most importantly, it gives you a chance to ruminate on some crucial questions of human error, justice and life-and-death.

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70

TV Guide Ken Fox

Rarely has the argument against the death penalty been made so articulately, or so poignantly.

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70

Village Voice Ben Kenigsberg

What Deadline lacks in heft it makes up for in common sense.

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70

The New York Times Anita Gates

Not as dynamic as it should be, given the punch of the story it tells, but it makes its points.

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70

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

At 92 minutes this could hardly be considered a definitive statement, yet its combination of high drama and carefully articulated principle delivers quite a punch.

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60

Film Threat Staff (Not credited)

Deadline contributes reason and passion to the ongoing debate about whether civilized nations should employ the ultimate punishment and how justly it is administered.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 1 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Chad S. gave it a7:
The inclusion of footage showing President George W. Bush defending his death row record in Texas is a distraction. That's the film you'd rather see. "Deadline" is a curiously inert piece of filmmaking; the only real passion coming from the testimonies of the Victims' Families for Reconciliation. This is, perhaps, an unfair thing to say, but if you had black filmmakers, people incapable of being objective about what happened to them, more rage might've bubbled to the surface, thus "Deadline" would be a more dynamic film. If there are innocent people being sentenced to death by the state, this is no time to be subtle. For example; a montage of the KKK to get across the point that capital punishment are legalized lynchings.

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