A young lawyer defends a black man accused of murdering two white men who raped his 10-year-old daughter, sparking a rebirth of the KKK.

Matthew McConaugheyas Jake Brigance
Sandra Bullockas Ellen Roark
Samuel L. Jacksonas Carl Lee Hailey
Kevin Spaceyas Rufus Buckley
Ashley Juddas Carla Brigance
Donald Sutherlandas Lucien Wilbanks
Oliver Plattas Harry Rex Vonner
Charles S. Duttonas Ozzie Walls
Brenda Frickeras Ethel Twitty
Kiefer Sutherlandas Freddie Lee Cobb
Peter Menzies Jr.