A deaf man accused of murder, defended by a deaf lawyer — justice has never been this loud.
The real-life account of an illiterate, deaf-and-mute, black youth who was accused of murdering a prostitute, and the relationship that developed between him and his court-appointed attorney, who also was deaf, and the events leading up to his precedent-setting trial.
Acting
LeVar Burton's physical performance — no dialogue, all devastation.
Direction
Frank Perry strips away sentimentality, lets silence scream.
Writing
Ernest Tidyman adapts real case with zero Hollywood varnish.
Director
Frank Perry
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Ernest Tidyman's nonfiction book; the real Donald Lang was never convicted but spent years institutionalized.
Shot on location in Chicago with actual deaf community members as extras — radical authenticity for 1979 TV.
US
