Luke
stu-kicks
Cibbuano12 Angry Men
September 19th 2006 03:53
12 Angry Men (1957)
For a film that takes place almost entirely in a small room, with very little in the way of action, and also happens to be in black and white (which I know can be a drain on some fools), this is a surprisingly engrossing and moving film.
Basically the film focuses on a jury trying to decide their verdict on a poor and uneducated street kid alleged to have murdered someone. All but 1 of the jury are ready to convict the kid, and it's up to Henry Fonda to bring the others round to believing that there is 'reasonable doubt' as to whether the kid is guilty or not. It's a fascinating study of the western justice system, it's credo of 'innocent until proven guilty', and the dominating way in which certain personalities can influence a jury, and the prejudices that can inform their decisions.
No film has ever been more about the range of human characterisation, alpha male vs. logic and reason, human weakness, and the quest for truth. No film focuses on these facets of the world the way this film does and when you have such a close up on these things it's paramount that the actors are up to the task, so thankfully we have Henry Fonda and his all-american integrity to lead the way, as well as a strong supporting cast that includes the indomitable Lee J. Cobb, crusty Jack Klugman, blustering Ed Begley, dependable Martin Balsam and diminutive John Fiedler (the unmistakable voice of Piglet himself!)
Anyway, I love this film. It's very enjoyable and it will suck you right in from the get go.
TRIVIA: Most of the jurors are never identified by name and are instead referred to as 'Juror No. 1', 'Juror No. 2', etc, etc.
'12 Angry Men' has been made for television twice... the original version in 1954, and a more recent version in 1997 (featuring George C. Scott, William Peterson, James Gandolfini, Edward James Olmos, Tony Danza and Jack Lemmon).
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Arguably the finest courtroom drama ever (Witness for The Prosecution, Anatomy of a Murder, Inherit The Wind etc)
Director Sidney Lumet (Fail safe, Dog day Afternoon, The Hill, The Anderson Tapes, Equus etc) always brings a moral and social relevance to all his early work, thats why he is one of the best.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Equus is challenging viewing, dark and psychologically vexing. The subject matter is certainly not for all palletes, but the complex emotions are seldom dull.
Burton is at his fiery, gruff best and delivers some heady dialogue with much gusto.
Personally it had me glued, no pun intended.