THE EXECUTION OF RAYMOND GRAHAM
US, 1985, 105 minutes, Colour.
Jeff Fahey, Morgan Freeman, Kate Reid, Josef Sommer, Laurie Metcalf.
Directed by Daniel Petrie.
The Execution of Raymond Graham is a strong telemovie, dramatising capital punishment, the intellectual arguments for and against, the emotional impact. Jeff Fahey (later to become a more prominent star with such films as Impulse, White Hunter Black Heart, Lawnmower Man) is very good as the callow young man, Raymond Graham, who on impulse shoots a 17-year-old dead during a robbery on a store. Kate Reid portrays his mother, Laurie Metcalf his sister. Josef Sommer is very good as the father of the murdered boy, obsessed with justice, obsessed with the memory of his dead son - and neglecting his younger son who is still alive. There is a dramatic interaction between the two as regards the younger boys being present at the execution.
The supporting cast is strong and includes Morgan Freeman as the governor of the prison and George Dzunza as the chaplain. The film dramatises both sides of the case, the young man in the prison, becoming a model prisoner, the refusal of appeals, his ultimate execution. It also highlights the reality of the family of the victim and the cutting short of his life. There is a powerful scene where the assistant lawyer goes to the governor of the state to plead her cause. Most of the arguments for and against capital punishment are included in this dramatisation. The film concludes with the actual execution.
1. The impact of the telemovie? For the wide audience? The issue of crime, punishment, capital punishment?
2. The atmosphere of the city, homes, the stores, the prison? Musical score?
3. The title and its tone, the viewpoint of the screenplay, the arguments for and against capital punishment, the stories, emotional identification? The impact of the ending and the execution?
4. Raymond Graham and the audience meeting him in the prison cell, with the chaplain, the routines of daily life in the prison and in the cell? His interactions with the warder, discussions about capital punishment, criminals, executions? The discussions with the governor about his case? The more sympathetic attitude of the audience on first meeting him? His story, the different viewpoints of the Neal family? His brother and his support, his sister and the alienation, her memories of the past and antagonism? His devotion to his mother, the phone calls to her? The facts about the case, his growing up, drugs, money, callow, the robbery, the unpremeditated killing? The lawyers and their support? His sentence?
5. The film and its details of life in prison, the routines, the personnel? The appeals against the sentence, time and ultimatums? The final decision, his meal, shaving, getting ready for death?
6. The portrait of the chaplain, the discussions with Raymond, the explicit religious themes, the personal help? Raymond and his not being interested? The final moments, the support of the chaplain, the prayer, removing his shoes?
7. The warder, the talk, the human side of the warder, his memories - his religious beliefs and Raymond thinking he was more effective than the chaplain?
8. The governor, the administration of the prison, the appeals, the regulations and routines, the interviews with Raymond, taking him to the execution, his supervision of the execution?
9. The lawyers, their skills, discussions, the appeals, the discussions with the governor? The clash with Mr Neal? and his overhearing the lawyer speaking about the appeal? The mutual respect, the law and the right for a defence? The assistant and her visit to the governor, her impassioned plea and the arguments for a stay of execution?
10. The family, Vic and his support, going to the jail, the interview, being present and encouraging Raymond as he died? Carol, her angers, her memories, antagonism with her mother? Speaking to Raymond on the phone and the reconciliation? The mother, her not seeing the past realistically, resentment of her husband, the bringing up of the children, Raymond in trouble? Her grief, waiting for the phone call about the execution, the final talk?
11. The Neal family: the father and his grief, his obsession about his son? His wife, love for her husband, talking to her brother about the strained relationship, her husband's reaction? Her perspective on the situation? The memory of the dead boy - enhanced by the father? Richard the young son, the years passing, his being neglected by his father? The father and his talk about the life of his son and what it might have been - while ignoring his younger son? The angry interaction with the lawyer? The interview about attending the execution, expecting Richard to go, the argument about not going in and Richard not going? The father's presence at the execution and Raymond Grant's final words?
12. The arguments for and against capital punishment - throughout the film, as articulated by the lawyers? By Mr Neal?
13. The tension for the timing, the appeal, the execution?
14. The explanation of the details about the execution routine, taking Raymond Graham to the execution, strapped down, his final words - no hard feelings on either side? The death, the supervision? The dramatic impact of the ending?
