Directed by:
Tim MetcalfeScreenplay:
Tim MetcalfeCinematography:
Ken KelschComposer:
Graeme RevellCast:
James Woods, Ellen Greene, Robert Sean Leonard, Robert John Burke, Jeffrey DeMunn, Richard Riehle, Cara Buono, Harold Gould, John Bedford Lloyd (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Based on a true story, this psychological study concerns Henry Lesser (Robert Sean Leonard), a prison guard who witnesses the brutal beating of an inmate, Carl Panzram (James Woods), who attempted to escape. Lesser tries to befriend the convict, whom he senses has an intelligence that has gone unrecognized by his jailers; he gives Panzram a notebook and pencils and encourages him to keep a journal. Panzram responds by writing the story of his life of crime - a shocking litany of violence and brutality in which he takes credit for 21 murders, numerous armed robberies, several acts of arson, and over 1,000 homosexual rapes. Lesser has a difficult time reconciling the intelligent, articulate man he sees in his cell every day with the monster documented in his writings (though as far as anyone can tell, his claims are entirely accurate). Lesser believes that there's a humanity in Panzram that can be brought out, and that he can be redeemed and perhaps rehabilitated. Panzram, however, doesn't seem so convinced; his violent behavior continues behind bars, and attempts by opponents of the death penalty to prevent his execution only inspire his scorn - as he sees it, society made him a killer, and it's society's responsibility to stop him once and for all. Killer: A Journal of Murder was the first directorial project for screenwriter Tim Metcalfe. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![James Woods](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267831_5c09b8.jpg)
James Woods
USA
Best movies:
Casino (1995)
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
The Gift of Love (1978) (TV movie)
![Ellen Greene](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/388/162388305_815faa.jpg)
Ellen Greene
USA
Best movies:
Léon: The Professional (1994)
Pump Up the Volume (1990)
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)
![Robert Sean Leonard](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/730/162730276_fa4f60.png)
Robert Sean Leonard
USA
Best movies:
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Swing Kids (1993)
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
![Robert John Burke](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/418/418986_7ef2b7.jpg)
Robert John Burke
USA
Best movies:
Generation Kill (2008) (series)
Limitless (2011)
Heaven & Earth (1993)
![Jeffrey DeMunn](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270790_8203a0.jpg)
Jeffrey DeMunn
USA
Best movies:
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Green Mile (1999)
Frances (1982)
![Richard Riehle](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274007_68c278.jpg)
Richard Riehle
USA
Best movies:
Casino (1995)
The Fugitive (1993)
Of Mice and Men (1992)
![Cara Buono](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/621/161621788_fa616e.jpg)
Cara Buono
USA
Best movies:
Stranger Things (2016) (series)
Waterland (1992)
Kicking and Screaming (1995)
![Harold Gould](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/273/273586_f137f0.jpg)
Harold Gould
USA
Best movies:
The Sting (1973)
Love and Death (1975)
The Lawyer (1970)
![John Bedford Lloyd](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/074/162074463_0f1012.jpg)
John Bedford Lloyd
USA
Best movies:
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Philadelphia (1993)
The Abyss (1989)
![Nicholas Guest](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/967/161967986_3d3d59.jpg)
Nicholas Guest
USA
Best movies:
Aerosmith: Big Ones You Can Look at (1994) (music video)
Tangled (2010)
Children of a Lesser God (1986)
![Lili Taylor](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/877/162877136_da6ddb.png)
Lili Taylor
USA
Best movies:
Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001) (TV movie)
The Conjuring (2013)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
![Steve Forrest](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/313/313174_fd3a33.jpg)
Steve Forrest
USA
Best movies:
The Name of the Game (1968) (series)
The Longest Day (1962)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
![Anthony Tyler Quinn](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/354/354098_7ecb3b.jpg)
Anthony Tyler Quinn
USA
Best movies:
Killer: A Journal of Murder (1995)
No Greater Love (2009)
Problem Child (1990)
![Christopher Wynkoop](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/157/886/157886582_9453dd.gif)
Christopher Wynkoop
USA
Best movies:
Ghostbusters (1984)
Clockers (1995)
He Got Game (1998)
James Murtaugh
USA
Best movies:
All the President's Men (1976)
Private Parts (1997)
Invincible (2006)
Richard Gentner
Best movies:
Killer: A Journal of Murder (1995)
Stephen Mendillo
USA
Best movies:
The Artist (2011)
The Saint of Fort Washington (1993)
Empire Falls (2005) (TV movie)
Paul Pape
USA
Best movies:
Tangled (2010)
Drunken Master II (1994)
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Reathel Bean
USA
Best movies:
Almost Famous (2000)
Box of Moon Light (1996)
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
![Raynor Scheine](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/312/163312983_e8d970.jpg)
Raynor Scheine
USA
Best movies:
The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991)
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
My Cousin Vinny (1992)