The Executioner’s Song

Year: 1982

Runtime: 135 mins

Language: English

Director: Lawrence Schiller

CrimeDrama

In this fact‑based TV drama, Gary Gilmore, an Indiana inmate released after a prison term, moves to Utah. He begins a romance with Nicole Baker, a teenage single mother; the relationship collapses and he embarks on a murderous rampage that kills two. At trial he demands death penalty, sparking a frenzy while outsiders try to profit from his story.

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Timeline & Setting – The Executioner’s Song (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Executioner’s Song (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:48

Main Characters – The Executioner’s Song (1982)

Meet the key characters of The Executioner’s Song (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gary Gilmore - Tommy Lee Jones

Recently released after 12 years for robbery, Gary Gilmore struggles to reintegrate into society. He is volatile and impulsive, and booze and drugs intensify his instability, undermining his attempts at a normal life. He relapses into fights, theft, and violence, straining relationships with Brenda Nicol and Vern Damico, while his romance with Nicole Baker complicates matters. His two murders over two days lead to a death-penalty sentence and transform him into a national talking point, culminating in his execution by firing squad.

⚖️ Justice 🔥 Violence 🧭 Reformation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:48

Major Themes – The Executioner’s Song (1982)

Explore the central themes of The Executioner’s Song (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:48

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Bleak True Crime Documentaries like The Executioner’s Song

Sobering, fact-based dramas that explore the grim realities of crime and punishment.If you liked the grim, factual approach of The Executioner’s Song, explore more movies like it. This list features similar true crime dramas and TV movies that offer a sobering look at real criminal cases, the justice system, and the heavy emotional weight of capital punishment.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a linear, chronological path from a crime's commission to its legal consequences, often emphasizing the psychological state of the perpetrator and the broader impact on victims and society. The narrative avoids glamorization, instead building a sense of tragic inevitability.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to a dark, realistic tone, their focus on factual events, and their heavy emotional weight. They create an experience that is less about thrills and more about a melancholic, thoughtful examination of crime's harsh truths.

Movies about tragic descent like The Executioner’s Song

Character studies of individuals spiraling into darkness despite chances for change.For viewers who appreciated the tragic character arc in The Executioner’s Song, this list recommends similar films about failed redemption and bleak downward spirals. These dramas and crime stories feature characters whose paths lead to inevitable, heavy conclusions, exploring themes of addiction, violence, and shattered lives.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a character who is given an opportunity to turn their life around, but is ultimately consumed by their own demons, societal failures, or a series of bad choices. The pacing is steady, building tension and a grim sense of fate as the character moves toward a bleak ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their focus on a specific, heartbreaking character arc: the failure to escape a destructive path. They share a dark tone, high emotional intensity, and a conclusion that feels both sad and inevitable, leaving a lasting, heavy impression on the viewer.

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The Executioner’s Song Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Executioner’s Song, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Executioner’s Song Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Executioner’s Song with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Executioner’s Song Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About The Executioner’s Song

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Executioner’s Song: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Executioner’s Song

Discover movies like The Executioner’s Song that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.