A Lesson Before Dying DVD

Louisiana 1948, Jefferson is wrongly accused of the murder of a white shopkeeper. Racial inequality, at the time, is so pervasive that the defence lawyer's argument at Jefferson's trial is that his client is not worthy of conviction. Outraged by this statement , Jefferson's godmother enlists the reluctant aid of teacher, Grant Wiggins, to teach him 'to be a man'. As in Ernest J Gaines's award-winning novel, the movie goes beyond the conflict between the races to explore divisions that splinter the black community: education versus religion, dark skin versus light. And, thanks to masterful performances from Cheadle and Phifer as well as a thoughtful screenplay by Army Peacock. A Lesson Before Dying goes even further, examing what it means to be human and the responsibility a man has to himself and to his community.

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