Monday, February 11, 2013

The Five Best Courtroom Films

I love a good courtroom drama. There’s so much natural tension in a trial…they just seem tailor-made for the cinema. The list below focuses on the best classic films with courtroom centerpieces, so My Cousin Vinny and A Few Good Men (which would probably have made the honorable mention list) are not included.

Stewart as attorney Paul Biegler.
1. Anatomy of a Murder. Otto Preminger’s enthralling courtroom drama requires multiple viewings to be fully appreciated. When I first saw it, I focused on the riveting story, which treats the viewer much like the jury. We listen to testimonies, watch the lawyers try to manipulate our emotions, and struggle to make sense of the evidence. When I saw it a second time, I knew the case’s outcome and was able to concentrate on the splendid performances. James Stewart, Arthur O’Connell, and George C. Scott earned Oscar nominations, but the rest of the cast is also exceptionally strong. In subsequent viewings, I've come to appreciate the film’s well-preserved details, from the small town upper-Michigan atmosphere to Preminger’s brilliant direction (e.g., in one shot, as Scott cross-examines a witness in close-up, Stewart—the defending lawyer—is framed between them in the background).

2. Inherit the Wind. The “Scopes Monkey Trial”—in which a Tennessee teacher was tried for teaching evolution—gets first-class treatment in Stanley Kramer’s gripping adaptation of the stage play. Spencer Tracy and Fredric March are magnificent as fictionalized versions of Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan. But equally good is the behind-the-scenes look at the trial: the tribulations of family members, the media coverage, and the impact on the town itself.

Henry Fonda, in center, and the other 11.
3. 12 Angry Men. Well, it doesn't take place in a courtroom, but has any film done a better job of getting into the minds of the most important members of a trial? The ensemble cast is nearly flawless, but the film’s premise relies heavily on the dialogue, the believablity of the characters, and the direction. So cheers to screenwriter Reginald Rose and director Sidney Lumet! I chuckle when I read the frequent film critic's complaint that a director didn't “open up” an adaptation of a stage play. 12 Angry Men virtually takes place on one set, but it never fails to excite and entertain.

4. Witness for the Prosecution. For all its cleverness, the most entertaining aspect of Billy Wilder’s adaptation of the Agatha Christie play is its unexpected humor. Much of it is derived from the relationship between the cantankerous Sir Wilfrid (Charles Laughton) and his fastidious nurse, Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester). One of their best scenes contains no dialogue and takes places during the heat of the trial. Miss Plimsoll sits in the gallery and watches closely over Sir Wilfrid, looking for any signs of his failing health. Turning to face her, Sir Wilfrid smiles as he takes a sip of “lukewarm cocoa” from a thermos filled by Miss Plimsoll…only the devious barrister has swapped thermoses so that he’s actually drinking brandy.

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch.
5. To Kill a Mockingbird. I know…this isn't a courtroom drama… but Tom Robinson’s case forms the centerpiece of the film and reveals much about Atticus Finch, his children, and the town where they live. Like many other fans of this film, my favorite scene is when Atticus leaves the courtroom to a standing ovation from the gallery. (Its ranking here is solely in the context of courtroom dramas.)

Honorable Mentions: Conduct Unbecoming, Adam’s Rib, Judgment at Nuremberg, Breaker Morante, The Caine Mutiny, Fury, and Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys.

16 comments:

  1. I love a good classic courtroom drama. "To Kill a Mockingbird", is my favorite from your list.

    This film has one of the best child performances, that I can remember. The scene where Scout breaks up the mob, by calling out the people she knew, is a scene you will not soon forget.

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  2. I like another Otto directed film not on any of your lists"The Court Marshall Of Billy Mitchell"

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  3. Dawn, Paul, all of these courtroom dramas are truly must-watch films! There isn't a bummer in the bunch, though I'll admit my favorite from your roundup is WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, which we've covered at TotED in the past. Vinnie and I love the byplay between real-life couple Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester; if there had been a sequel, we think Miss Plimsoll and Sir Wilfrid would've gotten hitched by the end of the film! :-D We also love your runner-up, THE CAINE MUTINY; the way the jury looks at Captain Queeg once he nervously brings out those metal balls (make the rude joke of your choice here, if you must). It looks like everyone suddenly flinched from Queeg all at once! Great post, Rick, as always!

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  4. Great list - I'm also very fond of the humorous streak that runs through WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (gotta love Laughton and Lanchester). Looking at this list, I'm struck by the thought that THE OX-BOW INCIDENT is basically a courtroom drama without a courtroom. Thanks for the thoughtful and thought provoking post!

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  5. Another great list, Rick. You've picked the best of the best.

    I've always had a special fondness for "The Caine Mutiny" - Bogart in top form as the disintegrating captain, MacMurray as the smooth-talking snake who gets Jose Ferrer's drink thrown in his face. My favorites among your top five are "Witness for the Prosecution" and "To Kill a Mockingbird."

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  6. A great list - I also love Henry Fonda's courtroom scenes in 'Young Mr Lincoln'.

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  7. Rick, a well chosen selection. It's good to see "Anatomy of a Murder" at the top of the list, and such a sympathetic write-up too. I'm not a particular fan of Preminger, but for me this and "Laura" are his best films (and there is some question how much of "Laura" is his and how much was planned by the film's original director, Rouben Mamoulian, whom Preminger replaced). With their spatial confinement and reliance on talk and too-frequent lack of authenticity, good courtroom sequences are for me hard to do well on film, much less an entire courtroom movie. I often groan when a courtroom sequence starts. They often stop a movie dead for me. But you chose some of the best. I also find the courtroom sequences in "A Man for All Seasons" notable.

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    1. I totally forgot about those scenes in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. Nice addition, Mr. Finch!

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  8. Some great additions! Also, I forgot to mention that Joseph Welch, who played the judge in ANATOMY OF A MURDER, was a real-life attorney. He participated in the Army-McCarthy hearings.

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  9. I've yet to meet anyone, from any generation, who is not enthralled with "12 Angry Men". Open it up? Good grief!

    I too adore "Anatomy of a Murder" because each viewing brings something new to appreciate.

    My number one courtroom drama is Terence Rattigan's "The Winslow Boy". The 1948 version features a superb performance from Robert Donat.

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    1. CW, I'm reviewing this week for the CMBA's Fabulous Films of the 1940s Blogathon.

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  10. Witness For The Prosecution:
    - Did you know that Nurse Plimsoll wasn't a character in either the original Christie short story or in her adapted play?
    The character was specifically created so Elsa Lanchester could appear together with Laughton (with Dame Agatha's full approval).

    Anatomy Of A Murder:
    - If you get a chance, take a look at Otto Preminger's trailer for this film (available at Trailers From Hell.
    On the courtroom set, Otto "swears in" the stars of the film (including Duke Ellington) and then has a quick chat-up with Judge John Voelker (the author of the novel).

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    1. That's an awesome trailer! Thanks for sharing.

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  11. A most excellent blog, Rick and all! I love courtroom dramas and can not argue with any of your selections. "Anatomy of a Murder" is often less mentioned by critics than your other four choices, Rick, and I thoroughly enjoy it every time I see it.

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  12. Wonderful choices, Rick. I think I would have put Inherit the Wind at No. 1, but the rest are just as I would have listed them. All are just fantastic movies. Very nice reviews and great idea for an article!

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