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Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Binding: DVD
EAN: 4010232007162
Format: PAL
Region Code: 2
Running Time: 96 minutes
Sales Rank: 183745
Theatrical Release Date: 1957
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
Sidney Lumet's directorial debut remains a tense, atmospheric (though slightly manipulative and stagy) courtroom thriller, in which the viewer never sees a trial and the only action is verbal. As he does in his later corruption commentaries such as Serpico or Q & A, Lumet focuses on the lonely one-man battles of a protagonist whose ethics alienate him from the rest of jaded society. As the film opens, the seemingly open-and-shut trial of a young Puerto Rican accused of murdering his father with a knife has just concluded and the 12-man jury retires to their microscopic, sweltering quarters to decide the verdict. When the votes are counted, 11 men rule guilty, while one--played by Henry Fonda, again typecast as another liberal, truth-seeking hero--doubts the obvious. Stressing the idea of 'reasonable doubt,' Fonda slowly chips away at the jury, who represent a microcosm of white, male society--exposing the prejudices and preconceptions that directly influence the other jurors' snap judgments. The tight script by Reginald Rose (based on his own teleplay) presents each juror vividly using detailed soliloquies, all which are expertly performed by the film's flawless cast. Still, it's Lumet's claustrophobic direction--all sweaty close-ups and cramped compositions within a one-room setting--that really transforms this contrived story into an explosive and compelling nail-biter. --Dave McCoy
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - A truly great movie!
This movie is a really powerful demonstration of the "art" of movie making as it is hard to find today. Pure content, no special effects, a simple setting - yet extremely exciting, makes you wanna continue watching until the last minute. A true classic!
Rating: - You get what you pay for.
It's the same classic we all know and love, except it's in it's anniversary edition and quickly delivered by Amazon.com. Enjoy the movie.....again.
Rating: - Enter the jury room and hold on to your values
Henry Fonda stars with Lee J. Cobb, E. G. Marshall and a nine other fine character actors in this classic courtroom drama from 1957. Despite the black-and-white filming and dated costume and props, this story still packs a terrific punch, mainly due to terrific writing and careful attention to dramatic unities of time, place and action. The story itself has an elegant simplicity to it: a young man is on trial for the murder of his father, and as the film opens we see the jury (12 white men of various ... Read More
Rating: - One of the true great masterpieces
Excellent film with an extraordinary cast & plot regarding 12 jurors who have to deliberate on a man's fate. Well written & the performances by the cast are superb. Most notably Henry Fonda & Lee J. Cobb.
Robert Webber (Juror 12) was so handsome, sadly he passed away awhile back of ALS at the age of 64 (he bore a strong resemblance to Kevin McCarthy, though I find Mr. Webber to be the sexier of the two). It was an added treat seeing him in this picture even though I wish he ... Read More
Rating: - 12 Angry Men a Winner
The Jason Robards/George C. Scott version is maybe even better (color). But this version has the special features that the Robards version does not.
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