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{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| name = A Murder of Crows | | name = A Murder of Crows | ||
| image = A-murder-of-crows-dvd-cover.jpg | | image = A-murder-of-crows-dvd-cover.jpg | ||
| caption = DVD cover | | caption = DVD cover | ||
| director = [[Rowdy Herrington]] | | director = [[Rowdy Herrington]] | ||
| producer = [[ | | producer = [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]]<br>[[Elie Samaha]]<br>[[Ashok Amritraj]] | ||
| writer = Rowdy Herrington | | writer = Rowdy Herrington | ||
| narrator = | | narrator = | ||
| starring = Cuba Gooding Jr.<br>[[Tom Berenger]]<br>[[Marianne Jean-Baptiste]]<br>[[Mark Pellegrino]]<br>[[Eric Stoltz]] | | starring = Cuba Gooding Jr.<br>[[Tom Berenger]]<br>[[Marianne Jean-Baptiste]]<br>[[Mark Pellegrino]]<br>[[Eric Stoltz]] | ||
| music = [[Steve Porcaro]] | | music = [[Steve Porcaro]] | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
| editing = Harry B. Miller III | | editing = Harry B. Miller III | ||
| studio = [[Franchise Pictures]] | | studio = [[Franchise Pictures]] | ||
| distributor = Sterling Home Entertainment | |||
| released = {{Film date|1998|12|12|United Kingdom|1999|7|6|United States}} | | released = {{Film date|1998|12|12|United Kingdom|1999|7|6|United States}} | ||
| runtime = 101 minutes | | runtime = 101 minutes | ||
| Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
| language = English | | language = English | ||
| budget = $7.5 million | | budget = $7.5 million | ||
| gross = | | gross = | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''A Murder of Crows''''' is a 1998 American [[psychological fiction|psychological]] [[thriller film]] directed and written by [[Rowdy Herrington]] and starring [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] and [[Tom Berenger]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www1.hdmoviebaze.com/a-murder-of-crows-1999/ |publisher=hdmoviebaze |title=A Murder of Crows (1999) |accessdate=2014-05-12 |last=DeMoss |first=David |date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref> It was released in the UK on 12 December 1998, and in the USA on 6 July 1999. | '''''A Murder of Crows''''' is a 1998 American [[psychological fiction|psychological]] [[thriller film]] directed and written by [[Rowdy Herrington]] and starring [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] and [[Tom Berenger]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www1.hdmoviebaze.com/a-murder-of-crows-1999/ |publisher=hdmoviebaze |title=A Murder of Crows (1999) |accessdate=2014-05-12 |last=DeMoss |first=David |date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref> It was released in the UK on 12 December 1998, and in the USA on 6 July 1999. | ||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. --> | <!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. --> | ||
Lawson Russell | Lawson Russell is a [[New Orleans]] [[criminal defense lawyer]] who has had a crisis of conscience while defending wealthy childhood friend Thurman Parks III. Parks denies charges of the rape and murder of stripper Jeanie Brussard. Russell is involved with Parks' and Judge Wiley Banning's conspiracy to have the charges dismissed. Russell, however, knowing Thurman is guilty, attempts to recuse himself from the case. Judge Banning refuses to accept Russell's recusal and threatens to end his career. Russell enters court and accuses Parks, resulting in a [[mistrial (law)|mistrial]]. Judge Banning has Russell disbarred for life. | ||
13 months later, Russell has retired to [[Key West]] as a fishing guide and decides to write a book about his experience. He suffers from perpetual [[writer's block]]. He befriends Christopher Marlowe, a widower and retired teacher who asks him to read his [[manuscript]]. Attempting to return the manuscript, Russell encounters Detective Goethe, who informs Russell that Marlowe has died leaving no next of kin. Russell decides to pass the book off as his own. It becomes a huge success, giving Russell fame and a luxurious lifestyle. Russell begins a sexual relationship with his book's publisher, Janine DeVrie. | |||
Detective Clifford Dubose receives a copy of Russell's book from an anonymous sender and realizes that the murders in the book are identical to the real-life deaths of | Detective Clifford Dubose receives a copy of Russell's book from an anonymous sender and realizes that the murders in the book are identical to the real-life deaths of 5 attorneys that were written off as accidents or suicides. Russell is arrested and charged with the murder of the attorneys. He hires his former colleague Elizabeth Pope to defend him and tells her about Marlowe and the manuscript. She doesn't believe him and drops him as a client. Dubose searches Russell's home and finds hidden pictures of all the dead attorneys. Russell realizes he is being framed and goes on the run. | ||
Russell follows a clue to | Russell follows a clue to Parks' home and breaks in to investigate. He discovers that Parks is seeing Janine. Another clue leads him to the home of Professor Arthur Corvus, where he discovers a room full of costumes and prosthetic face masks. Russell realizes that Marlowe, Goethe and even a random fan at his book signing were all Corvus. He concludes that Corvus murdered the lawyers. Corvus' housekeeper Althea Delroy discovers Russell and calls the police. Dubose arrives and questions Corvus, who denies ever meeting or knowing Russell but Dubose is suspicious. | ||
Russell digs into Corvus' background and discovers that 3 years earlier, Corvus' wife Jean and daughter Trudy had been killed in a hit-and-run accident by a banker, whose lawyer, Jeffery Lowell, got him off on a technicality. Russell returns to Corvus' home and confronts him. Corvus, armed, takes Russell's gun and admits to killing Lowell and the other attorneys for misuse of the justice system. He also says that he was going to kill Russell the night he attempted to recuse himself. Corvus became intrigued by Russell's struggling conscience and decided to test him. | |||
Overhearing Corvus' confession, Dubose interrupts and takes Corvus' gun. As Dubose calls for backup, Corvus kills Dubose with Russell's gun. Russell wrestles Corvus for both guns. Realizing that the police and courts would not believe that Corvus was the real murderer, Russell, having both guns, uses one to kill Corvus as the police arrive. Pope visits Russell to discuss his court strategy and hires a well-known attorney for him. Russell is found not guilty on all charges. The publicity of the case then results in the skyrocketing sales of the novel, making Russell a millionaire. | |||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
| Line 39: | Line 41: | ||
* [[Tom Berenger]] as Detective Clifford Dubose | * [[Tom Berenger]] as Detective Clifford Dubose | ||
* [[Marianne Jean-Baptiste]] as Elizabeth Pope | * [[Marianne Jean-Baptiste]] as Elizabeth Pope | ||
* [[Mark Pellegrino]] as Professor Arthur Corvus | |||
* [[Eric Stoltz]] as Thurman Parks III | * [[Eric Stoltz]] as Thurman Parks III | ||
* [[Ashley Laurence]] as Janine DeVrie | * [[Ashley Laurence]] as Janine DeVrie | ||
* Doug Wert as Billy Ray Richardson | |||
* [[Carmen Argenziano]] as Judge Wiley Banning | * [[Carmen Argenziano]] as Judge Wiley Banning | ||
* [[Renée Estevez]] as Reporter | |||
* [[Ellen Gerstein]] as Landlady | |||
* [[Jim Meskimen]] as Salesman | |||
* [[Lochlyn Munro]] as Norwood | * [[Lochlyn Munro]] as Norwood | ||
* | * [[Robert Peters (actor)|Robert Peters]] as Desk Sergeant | ||
* Deneen Tyler as Althea Delroy | |||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
Filming began in December 1997, across [[Key West, Florida | Filming began in December 1997, across [[Key West]], Florida, [[Los Angeles]], California, and [[New Orleans]], Louisiana. | ||
==Reception== | |||
{{RT prose|0|4.4|five||ref=yes|access-date=February 20, 2024}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 53: | Line 63: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*{{IMDb title|0133985 | * {{IMDb title|0133985}} | ||
{{Rowdy Herrington}} | {{Rowdy Herrington}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murder | {{DEFAULTSORT:Murder of Crows (film), A}} | ||
[[Category:1998 independent films]] | [[Category:1998 independent films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1998 psychological thriller films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1998 American films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1998 English-language films]] | ||
[[Category:American independent films]] | [[Category:American independent films]] | ||
[[Category:American psychological thriller films]] | [[Category:American psychological thriller films]] | ||
[[Category:English-language independent films]] | |||
[[Category:English-language thriller films]] | |||
[[Category:Films about writers]] | [[Category:Films about writers]] | ||
[[Category:Films directed by Rowdy Herrington]] | [[Category:Films directed by Rowdy Herrington]] | ||
[[Category:Films produced by Elie Samaha]] | [[Category:Films produced by Elie Samaha]] | ||
[[Category:Films scored by Steve Porcaro]] | [[Category:Films scored by Steve Porcaro]] | ||
[[Category:Films set in Florida]] | |||
[[Category:Films set in New Orleans]] | |||
[[Category:Films shot in Florida]] | [[Category:Films shot in Florida]] | ||
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]] | [[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]] | ||
[[Category:Films shot in New Orleans]] | [[Category:Films shot in New Orleans]] | ||
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Rowdy Herrington]] | |||
[[Category:Franchise Pictures films]] | [[Category:Franchise Pictures films]] | ||
[[Category:1998 films]] | |||
Latest revision as of 17:11, 23 March 2026
| A Murder of Crows | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Rowdy Herrington |
| Produced by | Cuba Gooding Jr. Elie Samaha Ashok Amritraj |
| Written by | Rowdy Herrington |
| Starring | Cuba Gooding Jr. Tom Berenger Marianne Jean-Baptiste Mark Pellegrino Eric Stoltz |
| Music by | Steve Porcaro |
| Cinematography | Robert Primes |
| Edited by | Harry B. Miller III |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Sterling Home Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $7.5 million |
A Murder of Crows is a 1998 American psychological thriller film directed and written by Rowdy Herrington and starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Tom Berenger.[1] It was released in the UK on 12 December 1998, and in the USA on 6 July 1999.
Plot[edit | edit source]
Lawson Russell is a New Orleans criminal defense lawyer who has had a crisis of conscience while defending wealthy childhood friend Thurman Parks III. Parks denies charges of the rape and murder of stripper Jeanie Brussard. Russell is involved with Parks' and Judge Wiley Banning's conspiracy to have the charges dismissed. Russell, however, knowing Thurman is guilty, attempts to recuse himself from the case. Judge Banning refuses to accept Russell's recusal and threatens to end his career. Russell enters court and accuses Parks, resulting in a mistrial. Judge Banning has Russell disbarred for life.
13 months later, Russell has retired to Key West as a fishing guide and decides to write a book about his experience. He suffers from perpetual writer's block. He befriends Christopher Marlowe, a widower and retired teacher who asks him to read his manuscript. Attempting to return the manuscript, Russell encounters Detective Goethe, who informs Russell that Marlowe has died leaving no next of kin. Russell decides to pass the book off as his own. It becomes a huge success, giving Russell fame and a luxurious lifestyle. Russell begins a sexual relationship with his book's publisher, Janine DeVrie.
Detective Clifford Dubose receives a copy of Russell's book from an anonymous sender and realizes that the murders in the book are identical to the real-life deaths of 5 attorneys that were written off as accidents or suicides. Russell is arrested and charged with the murder of the attorneys. He hires his former colleague Elizabeth Pope to defend him and tells her about Marlowe and the manuscript. She doesn't believe him and drops him as a client. Dubose searches Russell's home and finds hidden pictures of all the dead attorneys. Russell realizes he is being framed and goes on the run.
Russell follows a clue to Parks' home and breaks in to investigate. He discovers that Parks is seeing Janine. Another clue leads him to the home of Professor Arthur Corvus, where he discovers a room full of costumes and prosthetic face masks. Russell realizes that Marlowe, Goethe and even a random fan at his book signing were all Corvus. He concludes that Corvus murdered the lawyers. Corvus' housekeeper Althea Delroy discovers Russell and calls the police. Dubose arrives and questions Corvus, who denies ever meeting or knowing Russell but Dubose is suspicious.
Russell digs into Corvus' background and discovers that 3 years earlier, Corvus' wife Jean and daughter Trudy had been killed in a hit-and-run accident by a banker, whose lawyer, Jeffery Lowell, got him off on a technicality. Russell returns to Corvus' home and confronts him. Corvus, armed, takes Russell's gun and admits to killing Lowell and the other attorneys for misuse of the justice system. He also says that he was going to kill Russell the night he attempted to recuse himself. Corvus became intrigued by Russell's struggling conscience and decided to test him.
Overhearing Corvus' confession, Dubose interrupts and takes Corvus' gun. As Dubose calls for backup, Corvus kills Dubose with Russell's gun. Russell wrestles Corvus for both guns. Realizing that the police and courts would not believe that Corvus was the real murderer, Russell, having both guns, uses one to kill Corvus as the police arrive. Pope visits Russell to discuss his court strategy and hires a well-known attorney for him. Russell is found not guilty on all charges. The publicity of the case then results in the skyrocketing sales of the novel, making Russell a millionaire.
Cast[edit | edit source]
- Cuba Gooding Jr. as Lawson Russell
- Tom Berenger as Detective Clifford Dubose
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Elizabeth Pope
- Mark Pellegrino as Professor Arthur Corvus
- Eric Stoltz as Thurman Parks III
- Ashley Laurence as Janine DeVrie
- Doug Wert as Billy Ray Richardson
- Carmen Argenziano as Judge Wiley Banning
- Renée Estevez as Reporter
- Ellen Gerstein as Landlady
- Jim Meskimen as Salesman
- Lochlyn Munro as Norwood
- Robert Peters as Desk Sergeant
- Deneen Tyler as Althea Delroy
Production[edit | edit source]
Filming began in December 1997, across Key West, Florida, Los Angeles, California, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Reception[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ DeMoss, David (June 10, 2011). "A Murder of Crows (1999)". hdmoviebaze. Retrieved May 12, 2014.