The Executioner’s Song

The Executioner’s Song

Year: 1982

Runtime: 135 mins

Language: English

Director: Lawrence Schiller

CrimeTV MovieDrama

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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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.

Time period

1976-1977

Set in the late 1970s, the film covers the final nine months of Gilmore's life, culminating in his 1977 execution. The period is defined by evolving death-penalty laws and intense media attention surrounding his case. The timeline juxtaposes personal struggle with a national debate on justice and punishment.

Location

Indiana, Utah

Indiana is where Gilmore is released from prison after serving 12 years for robbery. The story then shifts to Utah, where he tries to live with Brenda Nicol and later works with his Uncle Vern, highlighting the different communities he navigates while attempting to restart his life. The settings anchor a cross-country arc from the Midwest to the West in the late 1970s.

🗺️ Indiana 🗺️ Utah 🕰️ 1970s

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

Brenda Nicol - Christine Lahti

A distant cousin who sponsors Gilmore and helps him try to restart his life in Utah. She provides support while he searches for stability, and she remains wary of his potential for trouble. Her suspicions about his involvement in a murder drive her to alert authorities, highlighting the conflict between care and fear.

🤝 Support 👪 Family

Nicole Baker - Rosanna Arquette

A 19-year-old mother of two who becomes romantically involved with Gilmore. She hopes for reform and stability but is drawn into a volatile relationship that the man’s aggression undermines. After Gilmore hits her, she hides with her children, illustrating the personal cost of his unstable behavior.

❤️ Romance 🧒 Motherhood

Vern Damico - Eli Wallach

Gilmore's uncle who takes him in and works with him in shoe repair, offering a stabilizing presence as he tries to resume a normal life. He provides practical support and care, but he also witnesses the strain of Gilmore's volatility and bad choices. Vern represents the fragile link between family duty and personal danger.

🛠️ Work 👨 Family

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.

⚖️ Justice

The film probes the complexities of justice and punishment as Gilmore's fate becomes a focal point of a national debate. It contrasts legal processes with human consequences, showing how the law can appear remote from the people it affects. The narrative questions whether punishment can truly reform a person and at what cost.

📰 Media

Gilmore's case attracts relentless media attention, turning his life into a public spectacle. Reporters and publishers chase the latest developments, shaping public opinion and courtroom outcomes. The film uses this coverage to critique sensationalism and its influence on justice.

🔥 Violence

The story traces a pattern of violence that resurfaces despite attempts at reform. Gilmore's violent acts destabilize relationships and lead to a cycle of crime and punishment. The theme highlights how personal turmoil can intersect with broader social consequences.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:48

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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 Summary

The Executioner’s Song Timeline

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The Executioner’s Song Timeline

More About The Executioner’s Song

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The Executioner’s Song (1982) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Executioner’s Song (1982) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Executioner’s Song (1982) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow