Mrs. Soffel

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Top

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, Rovi

Cast

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; 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

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

Previous:Mrs. Slacker (1918 Film), Mrs. Silly (1985 Film)
Next:Mrs. Sundance (1973 Film), Mrs. Temple's Telegram (1920 Film)
Top
Mrs. Soffel

Promotional movie poster for the film
Directed by Gillian Armstrong
Produced by Edgar J. Scherick
David A. Nicksay
Scott Rudin
Written by Ron Nyswaner
Starring Diane Keaton
Mel Gibson
Matthew Modine
Edward Herrmann
Trini Alvarado
Jennifer Dundas
Terry O'Quinn
Music by Mark Isham
Release date(s) December 26, 1984
Running time 88 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Mrs. Soffel is a 1984 American film drama based on the true Buck McGovern and the Biddle Boys case of 1901 Pittsburgh, starring Diane Keaton and Mel Gibson. It was filmed on location in and around the Serez family Farm in Mulmer Ontario, as well as Wisconsin (train sequences) and establishing shots in Pittsburgh. The film was entered into the 35th Berlin International Film Festival.[1]

Contents

Cast

Trivia

Heather Graham had her first screen appearance as a factory girl but was not mentioned in the credits.

Harley Cross's film debut.

References

External links


Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

Copyrights:

Mentioned in

Film Music (1987 Album by Mark Isham)
Pure Mark Isham (2006 Album by Mark Isham)
Trini Alvarado (Actor, Drama/Comedy Drama)
Gillian Armstrong (Director, Writer, Drama/Romance)
Mark Isham (Actor, Drama/Thriller)