his bench to ask whether he wishes to be tried as Jack Sommersby, even if it will certainly mean death by hanging. Jack states that he wants to be tried as John "Jack" Sommersby. Jack is convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death by hanging. While awaiting death, he is asked by Laurel to tell the truth about his identity as Horace Townsend. Laurel mentions the book on Homer's works that he holds. Jack tells her the story of how a man had to share a cell with another man, who looked like they could have been brothers. After sharing a cell for four years, they came to know everything about each other. Upon his release, Jack Sommersby killed another man, then died from a wound he got during the fight. Horace Townsend then buried Jack Sommersby, which is seen in the opening scene of the film. Horace decided to assume Jack Sommersby's identity. 'Jack' (who is, in fact, Horace) concludes by saying he cannot admit his true identity, because Laurel and the children would lose everything, and the newly-freed slaves who had bought plots of land would lose them. As Jack is taken to the gallows, he asks Laurel to be amongst the crowds, as he cannot "hang alone". As Jack is about to be hanged, Laurel makes her way to the front of the crowd. Jack calls for her, claiming to the executioner that he "isn't ready". She calls back to him, and the two see each other before he is executed. The closing scenes show Laurel walking up a hill with flowers. She then kneels by the gravestone of "John Robert Sommersby" and lays the flowers down for him. It is revealed that work is being done on the steeple of the village church, as Jack had wished. Cast Richard Gere - John "Jack" Sommersby/Horace Townsend Jodie Foster - Laurel Sommersby Brett Kelley - Rob Sommersby, son Bill Pullman - Orin Meacham James Earl Jones - Judge Barry Conrad Isaacs Lanny Flaherty - Buck William Windom - Reverend Powell Wendell Wellman - Travis Clarice Taylor - Esther Frankie Faison - Joseph Ronald Lee Ermey - Dick Mead Richard Hamilton - Doc Evans Maury Chaykin - Lawyer Dawson Ray McKinnon - Lawyer Webb Caileb Ryder/Caitlen Ryder - Baby Rachel Reception Box office The film was a box office success, grossing over $50 million in the United