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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1993 โ€บ The Pelican Brief

The Pelican Brief poster

The Pelican Brief (1993)

โ€œTwo Supreme Court Justices have been assassinated. One lone law student has stumbled upon the truth. An investigative journalist wants her story. Everybody else wants her dead.โ€

6.6/10 ยท 1,841 votes 2h 21m pg-13 ThrillerDramaCrime

#63 of 97 films from 1993 #1045 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Alan J. Pakula ยท Written by Alan J. Pakula, John Grisham

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.

Cast

Julia Robertsas Darby Shaw
Denzel Washingtonas Gray Grantham
Sam Shepardas Thomas Callahan
John Heardas Gavin Vereek
Tony Goldwynas Fletcher Coal
James B. Sikkingas Denton Voyles
William Athertonas Bob Gminski
Robert Culpas The President
Stanley Tuccias Khamel
Hume Cronynas Justice Rosenberg
John Lithgowas Smith Keen
Anthony Healdas Marty Velmano
Nicholas Woodesonas Stump
Stanley Andersonas Edwin Sneller

Facts

Release dateSeptember 17, 1993
Runtime141 min (2h 21m) โ€” longer as the 1993 average of 109 min
GenresThriller, Drama, Crime
LanguageEN
Budget$45,000,000
Box office$195,268,056 (4.3ร— budget)
IMDbtt0107798

More from Alan J. Pakula

All the President's MenAll the President's Men1976 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 2h 18m Sophie's ChoiceSophie's Choice1982 ยท โ˜… 7.3 ยท 2h 31m Presumed InnocentPresumed Innocent1990 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 2h 7m KluteKlute1971 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 1h 54m The Devil's OwnThe Devil's Own1997 ยท โ˜… 6.2 ยท 1h 47m

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Pulp FictionPulp Fiction1994 ยท โ˜… 8.5 ยท 2h 34m The Silence of the LambsThe Silence of the Lambs1991 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 59m The Usual SuspectsThe Usual Suspects1995 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 1h 46m Bound by HonorBound by Honor1993 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 3h 10m The UntouchablesThe Untouchables1987 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 59m Carlito's WayCarlito's Way1993 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 24m FargoFargo1996 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 38m Nine QueensNine Queens2000 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 54m

Questions

How long is The Pelican Brief?
The Pelican Brief runs 141 minutes (2h 21m).
Is The Pelican Brief worth watching?
TMDB users give it 6.6/10 across 1,841 votes, which places it #63 of 97 films released in 1993 in this index (top 36%) and #1045 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed The Pelican Brief?
The Pelican Brief was directed by Alan J. Pakula. Other well-rated titles by the same director: All the President's Men (1976), Sophie's Choice (1982), Presumed Innocent (1990).
Who stars in The Pelican Brief?
Julia Roberts as Darby Shaw; Denzel Washington as Gray Grantham; Sam Shepard as Thomas Callahan; John Heard as Gavin Vereek; Tony Goldwyn as Fletcher Coal; James B. Sikking as Denton Voyles.
What is The Pelican Brief rated?
It carries a pg-13 certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Pelican Brief?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/919.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.