1999
In 1932, fast-talking Ray Gibson and straight-laced Claude Banks are framed for murder by corrupt Sheriff Warren Pike and sentenced to life in a Mississippi prison camp. The two men, initially at odds, struggle with the harsh realities of prison life under the cruel Sgt. Fred Dillard and Superintendent Abernathy, enduring forced labor and a brutal stint in solitary confinement after a failed escape attempt. As decades pass, Ray and Claude witness the deaths of fellow inmates and the continued injustice of the system, including the murder of inmate Biscuit and the denial of pardons. Ray and Claude eventually confront Sheriff Pike, who is visiting the prison, and Ray kills him, leading to a cover-up by Superintendent Wilkins, who promises them pardons. The film concludes with an elderly Ray and Claude at a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, revealing that they successfully escaped prison and lived out their lives in freedom, despite the earlier funeral scene suggesting their deaths in prison.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Two moonshiners, Ray Gibson and Claude Banks, are framed for murder and sentenced to a brutal prison farm.
Open full beat sheetClaude Banks is listed as Protagonist. A straight-laced, fastidious, and initially naive man. In the parsed data, Claude Banks is connected to 55 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 32 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
55 scenes / 31 dialogue linesRay Gibson is listed as Protagonist. A fast-talking, opportunistic, and resilient man. In the parsed data, Ray Gibson is connected to 53 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
53 scenes / 34 dialogue linesSgt. Fred Dillard is listed as Antagonist. A cruel and authoritative prison sergeant. In the parsed data, Sgt. Fred Dillard is connected to 24 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
24 scenes / 6 dialogue linesWillie Long is listed as Inmate. An ancient, wise inmate who has been in prison for decades. In the parsed data, Willie Long is connected to 15 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
15 scenes / 4 dialogue linesRadio is listed as Inmate. An inmate obsessed with electronics and music. In the parsed data, Radio is connected to 13 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 52.
13 scenes / 1 dialogue linesPoker Face is listed as Inmate. The camp bookie who never changes his expression. In the parsed data, Poker Face is connected to 12 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 51.
12 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHoppin' Bob is listed as Trusty. Dillard's loyal and sadistic right-hand man. In the parsed data, Hoppin' Bob is connected to 12 scenes, first appearing around scene 14.
12 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJangle Leg is listed as Inmate. A handsome, muscular inmate. In the parsed data, Jangle Leg is connected to 11 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
11 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSuperintendent Abernathy is listed as Antagonist. The corrupt and racist prison superintendent. In the parsed data, Superintendent Abernathy is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 59.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBiscuit is listed as Inmate. A slight inmate who serves water. In the parsed data, Biscuit is connected to 9 scenes, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
9 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCookie is listed as Inmate. The camp cook. In the parsed data, Cookie is connected to 9 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
9 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGoldmouth is listed as Inmate. A hulking, menacing inmate with gold teeth. In the parsed data, Goldmouth is connected to 9 scenes, first appearing around scene 18.
9 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCan't Get Right is listed as Inmate. A mentally challenged but incredibly talented baseball player. In the parsed data, Can't Get Right is connected to 5 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 48.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSheriff Warren Pike is listed as Antagonist. A cruel and corrupt sheriff. In the parsed data, Sheriff Warren Pike is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 12.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesSpanky Johnson is listed as Crime Boss. A dangerous and drug-addicted speakeasy owner. In the parsed data, Spanky Johnson is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA funeral is held for inmates Ray Gibson and Claude Banks, attended by prison staff and other inmates.
Willie Long, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Superintendent Abernathy, Cookie, Jangle Leg, RadioRay Gibson arrives at Spanky's speakeasy.
Ray GibsonRay enters the club and interacts with the staff while Claude Banks dines with his girlfriend.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksClaude is robbed by bag men, and Ray encounters Claude.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude are brought before Spanky Johnson.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Spanky JohnsonRay and Claude drive to Mississippi to pick up moonshine.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude stop at a diner.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude attempt to buy pie at a whites-only diner, leading to a confrontation with the owner.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude meet Slim to purchase bootleg rum.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay loses his money in a rigged poker game while Claude meets Sylvia.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksWinston is killed by Sheriff Pike, and Ray and Claude are framed for the murder.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sheriff Warren PikeRay and Claude are interrogated by Sheriff Pike.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sheriff Warren PikeRay and Claude are sentenced to life in prison.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude arrive at the prison farm.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' BobInmates arrive at the work site; Dillard and Hoppin' Bob oversee the labor.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' BobRay and Claude struggle with the labor and face Dillard's cruelty.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' Bob, Jangle LegThe men take a break and Ray reads a letter for Poker Face.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie Long, Poker Face, Cookie, Jangle LegThe inmates eat dinner and discuss their past crimes.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie Long, Goldmouth, Poker Face, CookieRay and Goldmouth fight in the yard.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie Long, Goldmouth, Poker Face, CookieRay's mother visits him at the prison.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie Long, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' Bob, GoldmouthClaude meets with Daisy during a conjugal visit.
Claude Banks, Hoppin' BobPrisoners start their work day under Dillard and Hoppin' Bob's supervision.
Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' Bob, Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie Long, RadioA prisoner collapses from heat exhaustion; Ray and Claude discuss an escape plan.
Sgt. Fred Dillard, Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Biscuit, Radio, Poker FaceRay and Claude argue about the feasibility of an escape plan.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksPrisoners talk in the bunkhouse; Ray tells a tall tale about his nightclub.
Jangle Leg, Cookie, Radio, Goldmouth, Claude Banks, Ray GibsonMail call occurs; Claude receives a letter from his cousin.
Sgt. Fred Dillard, Claude Banks, Ray GibsonClaude reads bad news in his letter.
Claude BanksClaude asks to join Ray's escape plan; they fight.
Sgt. Fred Dillard, Claude Banks, Ray Gibson, Hoppin' BobPrisoners return to camp; Ray and Claude escape.
Hoppin' Bob, Willie Long, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude flee through the woods.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksThe floorwalker discovers Ray and Claude are missing.
Dillard is alerted to the escape.
Sgt. Fred DillardDillard organizes a search party.
Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' BobRay and Claude struggle to navigate the woods.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude are caught by the posse.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred DillardAbernathy decides the punishment for the escapees.
Superintendent Abernathy, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude are marched to the hole.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred DillardRay thanks Claude for coming back.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksInmates bet on whether Ray and Claude will survive the hole.
Cookie, Poker Face, Biscuit, Radio, Willie Long, GoldmouthAbernathy extends the sentence in the hole.
Superintendent Abernathy, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Ray Gibson, Claude BanksClaude is tormented by a rat while in his cell.
Claude BanksRay hears Claude's commotion and tries to calm him down.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksClaude rants about the rats and his desire to escape, while Ray tries to distract him with a fantasy about a baseball game.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksDillard hears the shouting and checks on the cells, then leaves.
Sgt. Fred Dillard, Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude are released from the hole.
Superintendent Abernathy, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Ray Gibson, Claude BanksThe other inmates observe Ray and Claude's return.
Radio, Goldmouth, Poker Face, Ray Gibson, Claude BanksA montage of time passing leads to 1943, where inmates watch a movie.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie Long, Radio, Poker Face, CookieDillard addresses new prisoners.
Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' Bob, Can't Get RightRay plays poker while reciting Dillard's speech.
Ray GibsonRay and Claude discover Can't Get Right's baseball talent.
Jangle Leg, Radio, Goldmouth, Ray Gibson, Can't Get Right, Claude BanksBiscuit walks past the gun line and is shot by guards. Jangle Leg retrieves his body.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie Long, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Hoppin' Bob, Can't Get RightThe men are depressed after Biscuit's death. Can't Get Right prepares to leave with a pardon.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Can't Get Right, Poker Face, Jangle Leg, RadioClaude confronts Blocker about the pardons. Can't Get Right leaves.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Can't Get RightRay and Claude discuss the return of Warren Pike while urinating off the porch.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksWilkins and Pike have dinner while Claude serves them.
Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Superintendent AbernathyWilkins and Pike go hunting while Ray and Claude assist.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Superintendent AbernathyRay confronts Pike about his father's watch.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Sgt. Fred Dillard, Superintendent AbernathyCoroners remove Pike's body while Wilkins lies to deputies.
Superintendent AbernathyWilkins promises Ray and Claude their pardons.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Superintendent AbernathyWillie tells Jake and Leon about Ray and Claude's fate.
Willie LongRay and Claude, now elderly, sit under a tree.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude play poker with other inmates.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie LongThe infirmary catches fire.
Ray Gibson, Claude Banks, Willie LongRay and Claude are at a baseball game, having successfully escaped.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksRay and Claude, now old men, argue over ice cream while watching a baseball game.
Ray Gibson, Claude BanksIn accordance with the regulations of the State of Mississippi, we gather here today to lay to rest the remains of inmates R. Gibson, number 4316, and C. Banks, number 4317. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. May God have mercy on their souls.
And who knew that in this great corn bread-making institution I'd come face to face with the biggest, ugliest, stinkiest, ugliest gold-mouthed negro in the entire world. Now get out of my face before I lose my appetite!
Look, man, I don't want friendly conversation. I don't want to be your friend. I've seen your friends and I don't like them. I just want to do this thing and get back to New York in time to start my job.
You picked the wrong night to fuck with me, Ray. I just lost three men and a truck full of Canadian whiskey.
Well, if that's the case, then you don't have anything to worry about, do you?
Are you kidding? Tell me you don't want a slice of that pie right over there.
Can't take it no more, Ray! Die, motherfucker! Gotta get the fuck outta here!
Keep it together, Claude. You wake up the man, he'll shoot you for sure.
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