Trial By Fire

Friday, May 17 - Thursday, May 23, 2019

TRIAL BY FIRE is the true-life Texas story of the unlikely bond between an imprisoned death row inmate (Jack O’Connell) and a mother of two from Houston (Laura Dern) who, though facing staggering odds, fights mightily for his freedom. Cameron Todd Willingham, a poor, uneducated heavy metal devotee with a violent streak and a criminal record, is convicted of arson-related triple homicide in 1992.  During his 12 years on death row, Elizabeth Gilbert, an improbable ally, uncovers questionable methods and illogical conclusions in his case, and battles with the state to expose suppressed evidence that could save him.


Official selection: Telluride Film Festival



  • Country USA
  • Running Time 127 minutes
  • Distributor Roadside Attractions
  • Director Edward Zwick
  • Writer Geoffrey Fletcher (screenplay), David Grann (original New Yorker article)
  • Editor Steven Rosenblum
  • Cinematographer John Guleserian
  • Cast Laura Dern, Jack O'Connell, Emily Meade, Jade Pettyjohn

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.