12 Angry Men
"Absorbing, tense and exciting. Leaves a tremendous impact!" -Daily Variety
Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley and Jack Klugman lead the distinctive cast of jurors whose character portrayals are "perfect in every detail" (The Hollywood Reporter). With its star-powered cast and four Oscar nominations including Best Picture, 12 Angry Men is a powerful, suspenseful and "fascinatingly entertaining film" (Los Angeles Examiner).
Eleven jurors are convinced that the defendant is guilty of murder. The twelfth has no doubt of his innocence. How can this one man steer the others toward the same conclusion? It's a cast of seemingly overwhelming evidence against a teenager accused of killing his father in "one of the best pictures ever made" (The Hollywood Reporter).
Member Reviews
A must see! - Denton83
This movie is probably one of teh most intelligetn movies I have ever seen. It is clever, well written, and absolutely intriguing. The fact the this 90 minute movie kept my attention the whole time while only being set in one room is incredible and speaks to the quality of both the dialogue and the actors.
The writers did a very good job of not repeating themselves ikn any of the plot line, so that every incident that arises is bew and fresh, right up until the end.
I adored this movie and think it is a must see for everyone!A Genuine American Classic - CharleyJames
Who would have thought that a movie which takes place in one room and consists of 12 men who do nothing but talk – and don't even have names – would be such a searing experience? 12 Angry Men is an undisputed classic.
In the 50 years since 12 Angry Men was made, it's become almost a cliché to hate jury duty. But 12 Angry Men offers a hopeful look at the American justice system; it's really one of the most patriotic dramas ever made. I'd suggest the movie be shown in the waiting room whenever juries are being selected but if that happened, virtually every criminal would probably get off.
The story is simple: 12 jurors are asked to decide the fate of a young man accused of killing his father. If guilty, he will be executed; otherwise he goes free. The evidence is overwhelmingly against him: Two eyewitnesses, a murder weapon known to be bought by the killer and an alibi that he couldn't remember during questioning. Open and shut, but one juror stands alone against the other 11, who'd like to get home in time for dinner. And with that single "not guilty" vote, Henry Fonda's Juror #8 sets off the titular anger.
First, the other 11 pile on him, then slowly they turn. #11 brings up questions about the evidence (“Is that knife so unique, really?”). Re-enacts key events (“Could that old man have gotten to his door in 15 seconds?”). Prods the other jurors into examining their own prejudices. Reasonable doubt? Could be, and one by one, the other 11 join #8. But with each vote that turns, the anger in the room becomes thicker as sides are chosen and lines are drawn.
Sidney Lumet's work is unparalleled. The black and white cinematography is sharp and the direction and editing never miss a step, all despite the fact that the movie never wanders farther from the deliberation chamber than the men's room. The movie is one which wears repeated viewings well: It's every bit the classic it's been made out to be.One of the Best Films Ever Made - Gregg
An incredible film that is even more incredible for the fact that it was filmed almost entirely in one small room and was made on a surprisingly small budget. The film did have a top Hollywood star in Henry Fonda but while director Sidney Lumet would go on to an amazing career this was his first work outside of television. The film earned 3 important Oscar nominations for Best Film, Best Direction and Best Writing but would lose all three categories to Bridge on the River Kwai and was not successful at the box office. Despite all this more than 50 years later this film currently sits at #7 on the IMDB Top 250 films of all time, a position that I believe is justified.
The film is essentially the story of a jury deliberation of a murder case involving a Hispanic youth that initially appears to be clear cut until one man raises questions mostly to ensure that everyone has given the case their full consideration, when doubts arise the tempers flare and the prejudices of some jury member’s surface. Now instead of an exercise in fair play we have the juror’s undertaking a decision that will determine the fate of a young man whose innocence becomes more and more likely.
The most effective aspects of Lumet’s direction are making a film that is almost entirely dialogue in one room incredibly compelling and making that single set dramatic and effective. The tension mounts through out the film as the deliberation nears it conclusion and Lumet adjusts the cameras and the lenses to build a feeling of claustrophobia in the small extremely hot jury room.
The other major contributor was Reginald Rose who wrote the screenplay and co-produced the film with Fonda.
In addition to Fonda in what I believe is his best career performance we have host of recognizable faces including; Martin Balsam, Lee J Cobb, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, Ed Begley and one very recognizable voice is John Fiedler who better known as the voice of Piglet in Winnie the Pooh.
Member Reviews
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A must see! - Denton83
This movie is probably one of teh most intelligetn movies I have ever seen. It is clever, well written, and absolutely intriguing. The fact the this 90 minute movie kept my attention the whole time while only being set in one room is incredible and speaks ...A Genuine American Classic - CharleyJames
Who would have thought that a movie which takes place in one room and consists of 12 men who do nothing but talk – and don't even have names – would be such a searing experience? 12 Angry Men is an undisputed classic.
In the 50 years since 12 Angry ...One of the Best Films Ever Made - Gregg
An incredible film that is even more incredible for the fact that it was filmed almost entirely in one small room and was made on a surprisingly small budget. The film did have a top Hollywood star in Henry Fonda but while director Sidney Lumet would go on ...