Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story

Based on the real case of Clarence Brandley, a Black man wrongly accused in 1980 of killing Cheryl Ferguson, a white high school student visiting Conroe High with a visiting volleyball team. Brandley, who worked at the school, is arrested within days of the discovery of the body. The fight to clear his name is driven by Jew Don Boney, a bold local activist. An experienced defense attorney, Mike De Guerin, steps in along with a former minister, Jim McCloskey, to challenge the case. The lawyers uncover a startling lack of physical evidence and possible misconduct by the district attorney and the judge. The film follows the long, high-stakes legal battle to prove Brandley innocent. The case exposes bias shaping investigations.

Released in 2002 as a television movie directed by Tony Bill, Whitewash draws on a true life case with a screenplay by Abby Mann. Courtney B. Vance leads as Clarence Brandley, supported by Eamonn Walker and Gil Bellows, delivering performances.

Box office data is not published for this television film, as it premiered on network television. There are no worldwide gross figures to report publicly, reinforcing that this is a televised narrative rather than a theatrical release today for everyone.

The film sits in a lineage of true life crime stories that spotlight civil rights issues. While not a household title, it adds to the dialogue about wrongful convictions and the power of community activism to challenge flawed prosecutions. Its themes still feel relevant in discussions about bias in policing.

Critics note the film's careful handling of race and wrongful accusation, highlighting the resilience of Brandley and the dedicated lawyers who push back against flawed procedures. The drama centers on the ethics of advocacy, community pressure, and the limits of the justice system, inviting thoughtful reflection and ongoing discussion today.