• Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Movie Type: Prison Film, Romantic Drama
• Themes: Star-Crossed Lovers, Escape From Prison, Extramarital Affairs
• Director: Gillian Armstrong
• Main Cast: Diane Keaton, Mel Gibson, Matthew Modine, Edward Herrmann, Trini Alvarado
• Release Year: 1984
• Country: US
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• MPAA Rating: PG13

Plot

Based on a true story, Mrs. Soffel is set in Pittsburgh near the dawn of the 20th century. Peter Soffel (Edward Herrmann) is the warden of a top security prison, and his wife Kate (Diane Keaton) often comes by to read the Bible aloud to the inmates, despite her fragile health. While making her rounds, she makes the acquaintance of the Biddle Brothers, Ed (Mel Gibson) and Jack (Matthew Modine), who are sentenced to death for murder and robbery. Ed has become something of a celebrity thanks to his letter-writing campaign, in which he appeals in the letter-to-the-editor columns of the popular press to stay the execution of his brother and himself. His good looks, intelligence, and charm make a strong impression on Kate, whose marriage offers her little excitement. In time, Kate finds herself falling in love with Ed, and she discovers that she's unexpectedly receptive to his suggestion that she help him escape. Mrs. Soffel was the first American film from noted Australian filmmaker Gillian Armstrong. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Diane Keaton - Kate Soffel
• Mel Gibson - Ed Biddle
• Matthew Modine - Jack Biddle
• Edward Herrmann - Peter Soffel
• Trini Alvarado - Irene Soffel

Jennifer Dundas - Margaret Soffel; Harley Cross - Clarence Soffel; Terry O'Quinn - Buck McGovern; Pippa Pearthree - Maggie; Valerie Buhagiar - Alice; John W. Carroll - Guard McGarey; Maury Chaykin - Guard Reynolds; Nancy Chesney - Mrs. Fitzgerald; Daniel Bryan Corkill - Eddie Soffel; Norma dell'Agnese - Woman Reporter; William Duell - Lenny; Joyce Ebert - Matron Garvey; David Fox - McNeil; Tom Harvey - Attorney Watson; Kay Hawtry - Peter's Secretary; Walter Massey - Mr. Robinson; Katie McCombs - Rachel Garvey; Don McManus - Reporter; Wayne Robson - Halliday; Sean Sullivan - Farmer; Paula Trueman - Mrs. Stevenson; Warren Van Evera - Farmer; Dana Wheeler-Nicholson - Jessie Bodyne; Chuck Waters; Vincent Youmans - Guard Koslow; Don Granberry - Roach; James Bradford - Minister; Frank Adamson - Swinehart; Alar Aedma - Guard; Rodger Barton - Deputy Hoon; Philip Craig - Sketch Artist; John Dee - Old Prisoner; Jack Jessop - Atty. Watson; Derek Keurvost - Reporter; Dan Lett - Young Man; Les Rubie - Mr. Stevenson; Lee-Max Walton - Harry; Margery Simkin; Len Doncheff - Polish Guard; Charles Jolliffe - Sheriff Hoon; Marushka Stankova - Mrs. Bodyne; Victoria Vanderkloot; Brian Young - McNeil's Secretary; Jack Mather - Mr. Watson; William Youmans - Guard Koslow

Credit

Gillian Armstrong - Director; Luciana Arrighi - Costume Designer; Luciana Arrighi - Production Designer; Nicholas Beauman - Editor; Russell Boyd - Cinematographer; Ron Bozman - First Assistant Director; Ron Bozman - Second Unit Director; Jacques Bradette - Art Director; Jacques Bradette - Production Designer; Jacques Bradette - Set Designer; Shay Cunliffe - Costume Designer; Mark Egerton - First Assistant Director; Linda Gill - Makeup; Mark Isham - Composer (Music Score); Abigail Murray - Costume Designer; David Nicksay - Producer; Ron Nyswaner - Screenwriter; Glenn H. Randall, Jr. - Second Unit Director; Glenn H. Randall, Jr. - Stunts; Hilton Rosemarin - Set Designer; Arthur Roswell - Costume Designer; Scott Rudin - Producer; Edgar J. Scherick - Producer; Roy Forge Smith - Art Director; Neil Trifunovich - Special Effects; Patti Unger - Costume Designer; Dennis E. Jones - Associate Producer; Dennis E. Jones - Production Manager; Margery Simkin - Casting; Scott Maitland - First Assistant Director; David Lee - Sound/Sound Designer

Similar Movies

Dead Man Walking; The Widow of Saint-Pierre; Deseo; The Executioner's Song; Captives; Capote; Camila

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)