A San Quentin inmate (Nick Nolte), sentenced to life without parole, writes a play that catches the interest of a reporter (Rita Taggart).

ONE MAN FROM THE DEPTHS OF A GRITTY PRISON CELL HAD THE GUTS AND COURAGE TO CHANGE HIS LIFE AND LIVE HIS DREAM.

Lee Umstetter (Academy Award® nominee* Nick Nolte, 48 Hrs., Warrior) is serving 'life without possibility' at San Quentin - a life sentence, with no possibility of parole. While other men might give up hope, Lee puts pen to paper and writes a play about living behind bars. Performed with his fellow inmates it causes a sensation, winning him the heart of a local drama critic (Rita Taggart, Mulholland Drive) - and a pardon. Now a free man, Lee reunites his prison buddies to perform the story of their lives across America. With the harsh and brutal reality of a criminal's life behind them, Umstetter and his troupe get a new chance to experience a world they never dreamed possible.

Nolte and a remarkable ensemble cast including Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Joe Mantegna (The Godfather Part III), William Forsythe (Raising Arizona), Anne Ramsey (The Goonies) and Mark Rolston (The Shawshank Redemption) along with Academy Award® nominated** co-writer and director John Hancock (Bang The Drum Slowly) make Weeds a compelling, stark and emotionally charged film.

Media

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Bonus Materials

• 2025 Director Approved 2K HD scan and restoration from 35mm film elements and presented in 1080p HD in 1.85:1 aspect ratio
• Audio: LPCM 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English Subtitles
• NEW! Interview with director John Hancock (HD, 15:33)
• Photo Gallery
• “Sticky My Fingers... Fleet My Feet” (SD, 23:27) (1971 Oscar Nominated Short Film directed by John Hancock)
• Trailer

 

Cast & Crew

Actors:

•       Ernie Hudson as Bagdad
•       Joe Mantegna as Carmine
•       Nick Nolte as Lee Umstetter
•       Rita Taggart as Lilian Bingington
•       William Forsythe as Burt

Director: John Hancock

Producer: Bill Badalato

Additional Details

Label: MVD Marquee Collection

Genre: Drama

Language: English

Run Time: 118 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 10/14/25

UPC: 760137189145