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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Marshall (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Marshall (2017) movie poster

Marshall is a 2017 biographical drama directed by Reginald Hudlin, starring Chadwick Boseman as Thurgood Marshall, Keesha Sharp and Sterling K. Brown. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $10.1 million worldwide on a $12 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$10.1M
award nominations
2
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Marshall (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 58m (118 min)
Director
Reginald Hudlin
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$12M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Marshall About?

The premise of Marshall without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young Thurgood Marshall, already a prominent lawyer for the NAACP, finds himself facing a challenging case when he defends Joseph Spell, a black chauffeur accused of assault by his wealthy white employer. Partnered with an inexperienced lawyer, Sam Friedman, Marshall must overcome racial prejudice and systemic injustice to prove his client’s innocence. The legal battle tests Marshall’s skills and courage as he fights for justice in a deeply divided society.

Marshall Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1940s
  • lawyer
  • attorney
  • african american
  • judge
  • courtroom
  • greenwich connecticut
  • african american protagonist
  • juror
  • false accusation of rape
  • racial prejudice
  • racial discrimination
+38 more
  • based on true story
  • race relations
  • racism
  • anti semitism
  • jury
  • beating
  • civil rights
  • connecticut
  • perjury
  • miscarriage
  • chauffeur
  • justice
  • injustice
  • doubt
  • what happened to epilogue
  • adultery
  • interracial sex
  • sworn statement
  • co counsel
  • synagogue
  • men's bathroom
  • law
  • bigotry
  • jail
  • jail cell
  • jew
  • bridgeport connecticut
  • not guilty verdict
  • hiding in the back seat of a car
  • unhappy wife
  • unhappy marriage
  • throwing a rock at someone
  • domestic violence
  • reference to thurgood marshall
  • black lawyer
  • african american lawyer
  • jewish lawyer
  • jewish man
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Cast & crew

Marshall Cast & Characters

Chadwick Boseman leads the cast as Thurgood Marshall, with Keesha Sharp as Buster Marshall and Sterling K. Brown as Joseph Spell. Directed by Reginald Hudlin; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Marshall

· 10 more
From the director

More from Reginald Hudlin

More films directed by Reginald Hudlin, best-rated first: The Black Godfather, Sidney, Safety and House Party.

Full filmography
Ratings

Marshall Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Marshall 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

77 /100

Marshall Echo Score Breakdown

Marshall delivers a compelling courtroom drama anchored by assured performances and clear narrative flow. The film excels in character portrayal and maintains steady pacing that keeps viewers engaged throughout key trial sequences. Visually, it employs a restrained period style that supports immersion despite occasional lack of flair. However, limited emotional nuance and a serviceable score moderate its impact. On balance, Marshall leaves a favorable impression through strong central work and narrative clarity.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art and craft, Marshall employs a restrained visual approach that evokes the 1940s courtroom environment. The cinematography and production design create an immersive period atmosphere, while editing maintains narrative momentum. Direction is serviceable and effectively supports the story arc, though the overall look sometimes lacks distinctive flair. These elements combine to yield a competent but not groundbreaking aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character and emotion, Marshall is anchored by assured lead performances that convey conviction and tension. Chadwick Boseman and Josh Gad offer engaging portrayals, backed by a solid supporting cast. Emotional stakes are clear through courtroom exchanges, though deeper character nuance is limited. Overall, the ensemble work sustains viewer investment.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, Marshall delivers a focused legal narrative that moves at a brisk pace through pivotal courtroom scenes. The plot is coherent and dialogue-driven, offering clear thematic resonance on justice and equality. However, the script occasionally leans on predictable beats and lacks deeper moral complexity, resulting in a solid yet conventional storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    When considering sensory experience, Marshall employs a muted score and unobtrusive sound design that supports dramatic tension without commanding attention. Visual style embraced a film noir influence, with subdued lighting and period-appropriate production design enhancing immersion. While these choices reinforce authenticity, the soundtrack and overall soundscape lack distinctive moments, yielding an effective but understated sensory impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    In terms of rewatch factor, Marshall’s concise trial narrative and strong performances sustain interest on repeat viewings. The clear thematic focus and courtroom pacing remain engaging, though the film’s reliance on procedural beats and limited narrative surprises may reduce long-term novelty. Ultimately, it offers moderate replay value rooted in its central drama.

Plot

Marshall Plot Summary

What happens in Marshall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In April 1941, Thurgood Marshall, played by Chadwick Boseman, serves as an impassioned attorney for the NAACP, embarking on a mission to defend individuals of color who face unjust accusations due to rampant racial bias. Upon returning to his office in New York City, he is swiftly dispatched to Bridgeport, Connecticut. Here, he is tasked with the defense of Joseph Spell, portrayed by Sterling K. Brown, a chauffeur accused of raping his white employer, Eleanor Strubing, played by Kate Hudson. This sensational case has captured the attention of the media, amplifying the stakes involved.

Full summary

The whole story of Marshall, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Marshall Box Office & Budget

Marshall grossed $10.1 million worldwide on a $12 million budget, 84% of what it cost. $10.1 million came from the US and Canada and $65,157 (1%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.1M

84% of its budget back

US & Canada
$10.1M
International
$65.2K
Budget
$12M
US & Canada 99% Rest of the world 1%
Awards

Marshall Awards & Nominations

Marshall was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Marshall Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Marshall - "First Trailer" - In Theaters October 13
  • Trailer MARSHALL - "Official Trailer" - Now Playing
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Marshall?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the movie 'Marshall' take place?

Cars

Cars in Marshall

19 cars on screen, including the 1937 Packard Twelve and the 1935 Plymouth De Luxe.

All 19 cars
  • 1937 Packard Twelve in Marshall 1937 Packard Twelve Main role
  • 1935 Plymouth De Luxe in Marshall 1935 Plymouth De Luxe Main role
  • 1937 Buick unknown in Marshall 1937 Buick unknown Minor role
  • 1939 Ford V8 De Luxe in Marshall 1939 Ford V8 De Luxe Minor role
Details

Marshall Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “마셜” and “Marshall - Igualdade e Justiça”.

Also known as
  • 마셜
  • Marshall - Igualdade e Justiça
  • مارشال
  • Marshall : La vérité sur l'affaire Spell
  • Маршалл
  • 马歇尔
  • Маршал
  • Marshall: Igualdade e Justiça
  • מרשל
  • Maršals
  • Marcia per la libertà
  • Maršalas
+4 more
  • マーシャル 法廷を変えた男
  • Marshall: El origen de la justicia
  • 黑白正義
  • ยอดทนายหัวใจแกร่ง

Seen Marshall?

FAQ

Marshall FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Marshall, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Marshall?

Marshall runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).

When was Marshall released?

Marshall was released on October 13, 2017.

Who directed Marshall?

Marshall was directed by Reginald Hudlin.

More films by Reginald Hudlin

Who is in the cast of Marshall?

Marshall stars Chadwick Boseman as Thurgood Marshall, Keesha Sharp as Buster Marshall and Sterling K. Brown as Joseph Spell, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Marshall make at the box office?

Marshall grossed $10.1 million worldwide ($10.1 million domestic, $65,157 international) on a budget of $12 million.

How is Marshall rated?

Marshall has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Was Marshall nominated for any awards?

Marshall received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Marshall have a post-credit scene?

No. Marshall has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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