Is The Burial Based on a True Story? The Burial Plot, Cast, and More
by Naveenkumar | Updated Oct 04, 2023
Is The Burial Based on a True Story?
Yes, "The Burial" is based on a true story. In 1995, Willie E. Gary, a well-known lawyer, took on a case that later became the inspiration for the film. The case involved Jeremiah O'Keefe, a funeral home owner from Mississippi. O'Keefe hired Gary to sue Ray Loewen, who was rapidly expanding his funeral home business, leading to the closure of smaller businesses like O'Keefe's.
The conflict began when O'Keefe fulfilled a family promise to buy back his lost home and turn it into a funeral home. The Loewen Group's business practices, like undercutting prices and then raising rates, were at the center of the dispute.
Gary represented O'Keefe, initially asking for a settlement of $125 million. Ultimately, the Mississippi jury sided strongly with O'Keefe, awarding him $500 million in damages. Interestingly, Loewen's company later went bankrupt, in part due to the impact of this lawsuit. O'Keefe even used the money from the settlement to purchase some of the company's assets.
The Burial Movie
"The Burial" is a legal drama movie released in 2023, directed by Maggie Betts and written by Betts along with Doug Wright. The story is inspired by real events involving lawyer Willie E. Gary and his client Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe's legal battle against the Loewen funeral company, as detailed in a 1999 New Yorker article by Jonathan Harr with the same title. The movie features actors like Jamie Foxx as Gary, Tommy Lee Jones as O'Keefe, along with Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, and Bill Camp.
The film had its first showing at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2023. It's set to have a limited release through Amazon Studios on October 6, 2023, and will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting October 13, 2023.
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The Burial Plot
In 1995, a bold lawyer named Willie E. Gary, known for his success in personal injury cases, steps in to assist financially struggling funeral home owner Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe. Together, they take on a major funeral home company, the Loewen Group, in court over a contract disagreement
In an astounding turn of events, Gary secured a monumental $500 million victory for their case. This landmark verdict leads to the Loewen Group's declaration of bankruptcy. The story showcases Gary's unconventional yet effective legal tactics and the significant impact of their legal battle on the funeral industry.
The Burial Cast
Character
Cast
Willie E. Gary
Jamie Foxx
Jerry O'Keefe
Tommy Lee Jones
Mame Downes
Jurnee Smollett
Hal Dockins
Mamoudou Athie
Raymond Loewen
Bill Camp
Reggie Douglas
Dorian Missick
Annette O'Keefe
Pamela Reed
Gioria Gary
Amanda Warren
Rick Riverridge
Jim Klock
Mike Allred
Alan Ruck
Robert Sperry
Billy Slaughter
James E. Graves Jr.
Lance E. Nichols
The Burial Trailer
The Burial movie Release date
"The Burial" was released on September 11, 2023 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie is set to hit selected theaters on Friday, October 6. For those who prefer to stream it, the movie will be available on Amazon Prime just a week later, starting on Friday, October 13. This means you have the option to catch it on the big screen first or wait a bit for online viewing convenience. Enjoy this legal drama in the way that suits you best
Where to Watch The Burial Movie?
You can watch "The Burial" movie online starting from Friday, October 13, on Amazon Prime. If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can enjoy the movie for free. You can also check if the movie is showing at a nearby theater starting on October 6
Is the Burial Based on a True Story - FAQs
Yes, "The Burial" is based on a true story. It revolves around the legal battle between lawyer Willie E. Gary and funeral company Loewen, as documented in a 1999 New Yorker article.
The main actors include Jamie Foxx as Willie E. Gary, Tommy Lee Jones as Jerry O'Keefe, Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, and Bill Camp.
"The Burial" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2023.
The movie will be released in select theaters on October 6, 2023. It will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime from October 13, 2023.
Starting from October 13, you can watch "The Burial" online on Amazon Prime. It's free for Amazon Prime subscribers.