Marie (film)
| Marie | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Roger Donaldson |
| Screenplay by | John Briley |
| Story by | Peter Maas |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Francis Lai |
| Cinematography | Chris Menges |
| Edited by | Neil Travis |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | MGM/UA Entertainment |
Release dates |
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Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $9 million |
| Box office | $2,507,995 |
Marie, also known as Marie: A True Story, is a 1985 film starring Sissy Spacek as the real-life Marie Ragghianti, former head of the Tennessee Board of Pardons and Paroles, who was removed from office in 1977 after refusing to release prisoners whom it was discovered had bribed aides to then-Governor Ray Blanton. Ragghianti, a single mother and political appointee, was hounded for refusal to cooperate with the culture of corruption with which she found herself confronted. Many of Blanton's aides faced prosecution for their roles in the scandal. The film was based on the book Marie: A True Story by Peter Maas.
The film was directed by Roger Donaldson, with a screenplay by John Briley, best known as the screenwriter of Gandhi. It also starred Jeff Daniels, Keith Szarabajka, Morgan Freeman, Fred Thompson, Lisa Banes, John Cullum, Graham Beckel, and Macon McCalman.
Cast
- Sissy Spacek as Marie
- Jeff Daniels as Eddie Sisk
- Morgan Freeman as Charles Traughber
- Keith Szarabajka as Kevin McCormack
- Fred Thompson as Himself
Critical reception
Most reviewers praised Spacek's performance. Several reviewers praised the acting performance of Fred Thompson, who, until then, was known primarily as a peripheral figure in the Senate probe of the Watergate scandal. Thompson was Ragghianti's attorney during the actual trial, and played himself. This was his first film role.
External links
- Marie at the Internet Movie Database
- Marie at Box Office Mojo
- Review by Roger Ebert
- Review in The New York Times
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