Gideon's Trumpet | Rotten Tomatoes

Gideon's Trumpet

TV-PG

1980

1 hr. 45 min.

Drama

List

Reviews

56%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon (Henry Fonda) is arrested on charges of petty theft. Unable to afford an expensive lawyer to defend him, he is forced to represent himself and receives a five-year prison sentence. He becomes a model inmate and jailhouse scholar, focusing on the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees U.S. citizens the right of due process. With the help of an attorney (Jose Ferrer), Clarence makes a startling discovery that changes everything. The film is based on a true story.

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Emily V

watching this movie in gov rn and i wanna fall asleep. it's SO SLOW. and no one under the age of 60 will thoroughly enjoy this movie. it doesn't help that my teacher stops the movie every time there is an answer to a question in his worksheet. #neverwatchingthisagain

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Setting aside the moments where it felt more like an instructional video rather than a movie and the at times, weak acting, Gideon's Trumpet boldly details an important turn in the American Justice system. I particularly enjoyed the historical accuracy as some scenes either used direct court transcripts or closely replicated the conversations. Despite a seemingly dry premise, it certainly held my interest from start to finish. A marvelous story of determination indeed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

Henry Fonda is perfectly cast in the lead surrounded by a flawless cast in a compelling story that changed American history.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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yash b

Nice little true story that is important and probably could've been given more justice than a TV movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

:) Gideon is a bad ass.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

Watched it for my Government class. The main character is immensely whiny and depressing. The actual story is much better.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Robert Collins

Director

Henry Fonda

Clarence Earl Gideon

José Ferrer

Abe Fortas

John Houseman

Chief Justice

Fay Wray

Edna Curtis

Nicholas Pryor

Jacob

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David Cornelius

DVDTalk.com

Nearly three decades since its initial broadcast, it still holds a place as a triumph of televised storytelling.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 2, 2007

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Synopsis

In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon (Henry Fonda) is arrested on charges of petty theft. Unable to afford an expensive lawyer to defend him, he is forced to represent himself and receives a five-year prison sentence. He becomes a model inmate and jailhouse scholar, focusing on the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees U.S. citizens the right of due process. With the help of an attorney (Jose Ferrer), Clarence makes a startling discovery that changes everything. The film is based on a true story.

Director: Robert Collins
Executive Producer: John Houseman
Screenwriter: David W. Rintels
Production Co: Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 16, 2017

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