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12 Angry Men (1957) (DVD, 1957)
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A black/white film, very dated, in many ways obvious, but still powerful. Henry Fonda plays the voice of reason in a jury whose other 11 members are ready to convict a Puerto Rican boy for murdering his father. The characters are nameless caricatures - a banker, an accountant, a salesman, a watchmaker, an advertising executive, a blue-collar worker, a high-school football coach, etc - and Fonda appeals to reason in each jury member to establish that there was reasonable doubt. Racial prejudice, intellectual idleness, ego and arrogance are matched against calm logic, weighing of evidence, doubt as to witnesses' motives. The result is a crude but effective contrast between the philosophy of justice and the moral nature and weaknesses of those charged with the power of life and death. All the action, apart from the opening and closing sequences, takes place in the jury room. This intensifies the nature of the choice to be made and of the personal conflicts that develop. It is this intensity that gives the film its psychological force. The story line is thin and some of the characters are only just credible. But the moral of the story is that anything COULD happen, and that is the scenario that the film makes real. An ambitious film with a strong cast, it is certainly worth watching as it makes each of us question the nature of our own perception, prejudices and logical processes that influence our opinions and judgements.Read full review
I first saw this movie at a drive-in when I was seven. It struck me as a movie where nothing was happening; too boring to be movie material. But over the years I had heard many good things about it, and so, at age 73, I bought it to give it a second chance. I was not disappointed! Even though the entire move, except for a minute or two, took place inside a single room, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. A great movie!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A must see classic. I don't want to over sell it, but it is a very good story with exceptional actors - all men - as my wife pointed out. Very well done. No bad language, no sex, no violence ... How a great film can be.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
As my review title says this movie is a lesson as well as an entertaining movie all in one. Don't miss this movie! This movie puts human nature on trial. As you watch pay attention to its directing, choice of actors, script, all the other makings of this great movie. This movie will rank in your top ten movies. The old black and white movie adds to the effect.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is one of my favorites. Much like Mel Gibson many years later, Henry Fonda put up his own money to produce this film when no other producer was interested. The setting is simple -- a courthouse, a courtroom, and, most prominently, a jury room. We watch as a judge gives the jury its instructions in a bored, perfunctory manner. A worried young defendant, facing a mandatory death sentence if convicted, watches the jurors file out of the jury box. The video fades from that scene to that of the bailiff ushering the jurors into the jury room. A huge pool of acting talent was contained in that setting -- Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, E.G. Marshall, Ed Begley, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman -- the list goes on. No special effects, just special acting. The script is about human emotions, human prejudices, and human interactions. It is well written and well acted. One short scene by Fonda does come across a bit "preachy," but it's forgivable. The writers seemed to be trying to inform the viewer about basic constitutional rights. Placed in context, and given the fact that it only lasts a few seconds, the scene does nothing to detract from the viewing experience. In one of the very best scenes, Lee J. Cobb shows the quality of his acting ability. He goes from rage to horrific realization to crumbling despair and abject resignation in less than 30 seconds. He is so believable you make the trip with him before you know you've left. This is a "thinking man's" movie. I highly recommend it.Read full review
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