Where was A Time to Kill filmed?
1996
City Locations
Florida, Mississippi (USA), Ontario (Canada)
Location Types
Museum, Storefront, Film Studio
Location Styles
Americana/Anywhere, Colonial, Building Dated, Georgian/Southern
About A Time to Kill
Set in present-day Mississippi, this gripping film introduces Matthew McConaughey, a leading man with limitless potential. The film is a 1996 American drama directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Akiva Goldsman, based on John Grisham’s 1989 novel of the same name. The movie stars Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Oliver Platt, Sandra Bullock, and Kiefer Sutherland, following a young lawyer who defends a black man accused of murdering two white men for raping his daughter in Mississippi.
The narrative unfolds in a quaint Mississippi town, where Carl Lee Hailey Samuel L. Jackson), a heartbroken father, decides to exact his form of justice when the judicial system does not sufficiently penalize the men who savagely assaulted and raped his young daughter. With high racial tensions, the local KKK leader (Kiefer Sutherland) further inflames the situation. Despite much resistance from friends and family, Carl turns to novice lawyer Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) to handle his defense.
Though the film offers an unflinching look at the American judicial system and the emotional and physical aftermath of such despicable acts, it received mixed reactions. Notwithstanding, Matthew McConaughey was awarded the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance for his compelling portrayal in the movie. Similarly, Samuel L. Jackson's performance earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
A Time to Kill Locations
The 1996 film A Time to Kill was shot over four months in Canada and the U.S., with the state of Mississippi providing the setting for most scenes. Various landmarks and areas of interest from Canton, London, Tampa, and Jackson provided the backdrop for this production.
In Canton, the courthouse and jail grounds set the scene for much of the filming, while Jackson International Airport in Jackson provided an additional key location. The surrounding area features historic sights, including churches, a museum, and stunning landscapes that offer a glimpse into days gone by.
A trip to the locations used for A Time to Kill would be well worth it as travelers could journey through time while visiting these sites. From walking around the Madison County Courthouse or marveling at old churches like First Baptist Church of Canton, which provided a backdrop for exterior shots, to taking part in local festivals like Fayette ArtsFest or simply exploring numerous parks and nature trails throughout Mississippi, there is something for everyone!
Carl visits Brigance's office scene in A Time to Kill
The Canton Movie Museum, 142 W Center St, Canton, MS 39046, USA
The pivotal character, Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), seeks the help of an affable white attorney, Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey). Distressed that his daughter's assailants could get acquitted due to the entrenched racism in the Mississippi Delta area, Carl Lee discusses with Jake Brigance a similar case wherein four white teenagers were not held accountable for assaulting a black girl. Brigance acknowledges the grim possibility they will not get justice.
Like many others in the film, Canton, Mississippi, gave life to the scene. The Canton Movie Museum served as the law office of Brigance, and the historic square features prominently. This building, now home to the Canton Movie Museum, preserves sets representing the legal office, a diner shown in the film, and an extensive collection of props from the movie.
To visit this iconic filming location, you can travel to Canton from New Orleans. The city is accessible by car from several major cities, or you can fly into the Jackson-Evers International Airport (this location also serves as a filming destination.) and take a short drive to reach Canton. Once in Canton, the historic square and the Canton Movie Museum are easy to find in the city center.
Jake meets Ellen scene in A Time to Kill
Canton, Mississippi 39046, USA
Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock) approaches Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey). As a passionate liberal law student from Massachusetts and a member of the ACLU, Ellen offers her assistance in Brigance's case. Initially hesitant, Brigance eventually concedes and accepts Ellen's help.
Canton, Mississippi, and its surrounding areas provided the primary filming locations. A custom-built soundstage in the industrial park served as the production hub. Known as the Movie Capital of Mississippi, Canton has a rich artistic history recognized as the birthplace of the Mississippi Art Colony, the longest-running self-governed art colony in the nation, a fact acknowledged by the Smithsonian Institute.
Visiting Canton offers film fans a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and locales depicted in the movie. Take Interstate 55 N from Jackson and Baton Rouge or opt for I-59 N and US 49 N from New Orleans to reach there.
Jake escorts his wife and daughter at the airport scene in A Time to Kill
Jackson-Evers International Airport, 100 International Dr, Jackson, MS 39208, USA
There is a touching scene where Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) escorts his wife (Ashley Judd) and daughter (Alexandra Kyle) to the airport for their holidays. In this moment, we witness Jake's softer side as a devoted father, a stark contrast to the high-intensity courtroom scenes that dominate the movie.
The endearing sequence was captured at the Jackson-Evers International Airport, nestled in the metropolitan area of Jackson, Mississippi. The airport continues functioning efficiently as a crucial nexus for domestic and international air travel.
To get to this location, consider booking a direct flight to Jackson-Evers International Airport. The airport connects to a multitude of national and global destinations. Initiating your film-themed exploration from here offers the unique chance to tread the same paths as the characters, thereby enhancing the authenticity of your experience.
The chaos near the courthouse scene in A Time to Kill
Madison County Courthouse, Canton, MS 39046, USA
As court proceedings commence, the Ku Klux Klan's ominous march permeates the streets of Canton, Mississippi, leading them to a significant gathering of primarily black demonstrators at the courthouse. The scene outside the courthouse quickly devolves into chaos as the authorities struggle to suppress the mounting tension among the crowd.
During a chaotic situation, a courageous black teenager decides to take matters into his own hands. He confronts and defeats the KKK Grand Dragon (Kurtwood Smith) using a Molotov cocktail to engulf him in flames.
Most of the filming for these intense sequences took place around the Madison County Courthouse and the former county jail on courthouse grounds. This courthouse is among the seven remaining pre-Civil War courthouses in Mississippi. It holds recognition on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Mississippi Landmark. Despite undergoing reconstruction and not being open to the general public, visitors can get special permission to explore the historic site.
To reach this location, you need to travel to the city of Canton, Mississippi. Located in the heart of Canton, the Madison County Courthouse stands as a prominent landmark. Conveniently accessible, it is unfortunately only reachable by private car from Jackson or New Orleans for fans seeking to visit.
Conclusion
A Time to Kill is an emotionally charged and thrilling drama exploring the complexities of race and justice in the Deep South. The film features strong performances from its actors, especially Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaughey as Carl Lee Hailey and Jake Brigance, respectively. Their delivery, paired with the impactful writing by John Grisham, creates a powerful story that is both compelling and thought-provoking.
The movie tackles a sensitive issue of racial injustice in a way that had not been seen before on the big screen. It asks difficult questions about fairness in the American judicial system while highlighting the importance of standing up for what’s right despite all odds. This courageous theme resonates with viewers long after they finish watching, making it a movie worth watching even today.
In terms of its contribution to the movie industry, it stands out for its faithfulness to Grisham’s source material and its willingness to take risks addressing controversial topics such as racism in American society.
Overall, A Time to Kill is a captivating courtroom drama that tells a gripping story about justice and morality in America’s Deep South. Its powerful performances and thought-provoking script make it worth watching for anyone looking for an intelligent film with some social commentary and dramatic entertainment.