The Worst Film Ever

Fantastic!

A Masterpiece!

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

"The Executioner's Song" from 1982 was a TV movie, and on Netflix, I believe they send out the director's cut. It has lots of Roseanna Arquette's breasts and other body parts.Based on the book by Norman Mailer (who also wrote the screenplay), this is the story of Gary Gilmore, who became famous by demanding that the state of Utah go ahead with his execution. It was the first execution in the US since the 1960s and the first since 1972 when the Supreme Court ruled that death sentences prior to that date were unconstitutional, which is why the Manson group was not executed.Gilmore, who requested to face a firing squad, became kind of a cause celebre. As a hero of some sort, I suppose he fits in well with today's idea of a celebrity. He was basically a loser who always chose the easy way out. When he was released on parole for robbery, he had the help and support of his cousin (Christine Lahti) and his uncle (Eli Wallach), but he was unable to hold down a job and became obsessed with a 19-year-old (Arquette) with two children.He then returned to the robbery business and for no good reason shot and killed two people after he robbed them.I believe this was a TV movie in two parts, so what I saw was shortened. As a result, to make way for Arquette's body, there was quite a bit cut, making it jerky.My main problem was getting any sympathy going for Gilmore or Arquette. Tommy Lee Jones did a terrific job, but even though Gary's family loved him and just hated the things he did, I as an audience member didn't share their feelings. As far as I'm concerned, he wanted to die because he didn't want to stay in prison. He robbed so he could pay for a truck and didn't have to work. Same old story - the easy way out.This story was described as "tragic." The tragedy is that the Arquette character had two children. She was a whack job who tried to commit suicide so that she and Gary could continue their affair in heaven. It said at the end of the movie that she moved and started over. I hope for the sake of her kids that she made it. I have no doubt with her figure she met somebody. Let's hope it wasn't another loser.

Some great country music including:Talk Good Boogie; Get it On Again; So Good Woman; This Time; Defying Gravity (Executioner's Song); Are You Ready for the Countryall performed by Waylon Jennings.Also,One Piece at a Time Johnny CashThere's a few more that I can't identify. Certainly a good film but made better by having a decent soundtrackIf anyone has a more complete soundtrack listing please share it. The movie is out on DVD but there's also another cut that may have more soundtrack music.

I just watched this for the 1st time in 20 years, & there were 2 scenes missing that I've specifically remembered that entire time. The 1st is where Gary & his uncle Vern are arm wrestling & Vern places a toothpick holder under the side where Gary's hand will land. The 2nd is in prison, Gary shows Vern that he's preparing for death by hanging upside down & doing vertical sit-ups.I also seem to remember that when I saw this movie as a kid, it aired over 2 nights on TV, which means it was at least 3 hours long.Great movie, but I can't help but wonder what else I'm missing...Any leads on the full version would be greatly appreciated.

After reading neolani54 comments it brought back a flood of memories about the events of the movie. I had just returned from my mission and had just married and lived 3 blocks from the hotel where one of the murders took place. Like many others who were students in Provo, we all took part time jobs to support our new families. It was such a terrible thing to happen and could have been any one of us. The movie has always been one of my favorite Tommy Lee Jones movies. I also grew up near Willard, Utah where Melvin Dumar got famous from his experience with Howard Hughes. (another Tommy Lee Jones movie). I have never been an advocate of capital punishment mainly because I personally believe that spending the rest of your life in jail is much more punishment than moving on to the here-after. However, I remember the early morning hours when Gilmore was executed and how glad I was that he was taken from the face of the Earth. Such a heinous and senseless act on absolutely innocent and peace loving souls. I hate to give any recognition to Gilmore, but at least he saw what he had done and fought for the punishment that he knew he deserved. It was unthinkable that there were so many people who were fighting save his miserable life.