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Witness for the Prosecution ()

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A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
  • Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations.
  • See more »
Reviews:

Photos and Videos

290 photos | 1 video

Cast verified as complete

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Leonard Vole
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Christine
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Sir Wilfrid
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Miss Plimsoll
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Brogan-Moore
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Mayhew
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Carter
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Mr. Myers
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Mrs. French
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Janet
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Judge
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Inspector Hearne
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Diana
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patrick Aherne ...
Court Officer (uncredited)
Don Ames ...
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Larry Arnold ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Walter Bacon ...
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Benjie Bancroft ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
John Barton ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Brandon Beach ...
Juror (uncredited)
Arline Bletcher ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Danny Borzage ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Tex Brodus ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Barrister (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Oliver Cross ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Harry Denny ...
Juror (uncredited)
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Courtoom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Miss O'Brien (uncredited)
Ella Ethridge ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Barrister (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Joe Gilbert ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Marion Gray ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Harlan Hoagland ...
Juror (uncredited)
Art Howard ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Cafe Patron (uncredited)
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Jury Foreman (uncredited)
Philip Kieffer ...
Juror (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Jeanne Lafayette ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Robert Locke Lorraine ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Thomas Martin ...
Bailiff (uncredited)
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Court Officer (uncredited)
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Bailiff (uncredited)
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Miss Johnson (uncredited)
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Barrister (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Shorts Salesman (uncredited)
Paul Palmer ...
Bailiff (uncredited)
George Pelling ...
Minor Role (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Doctor (uncredited)
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Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Juror (uncredited)
Anthony Redondo ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Hat Shop Saleslady (uncredited)
Al Roberts ...
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Molly Roden ...
Miss McHugh (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Buck Russell ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Clerk at Old Bailey (uncredited)
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Spotlight Operator in German Cafe (uncredited)
Bill Scully ...
Bailiff (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Lucile Sewall ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Leslie Sketchley ...
Bailiff (uncredited)
Edna Smith ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Cap Somers ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Arthur Tovey ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Glen Walters ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Barrister Reading Charges (uncredited)

Directed by

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Billy Wilder ... (directed by)

Written by

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Agatha Christie ... (in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
 
Billy Wilder ... (screen play by) and
Harry Kurnitz ... (screen play by)
 
Lawrence B. Marcus ... (adaptation by) (as Larry Marcus)

Produced by

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Arthur Hornblow Jr. ... producer (produced by)
Edward Small ... executive producer (uncredited)

Music by

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Matty Malneck ... (musical score)

Cinematography by

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Russell Harlan ... director of photography

Editing by

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Daniel Mandell ... film editor

Art Direction by

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Alexandre Trauner

Set Decoration by

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Howard Bristol

Makeup Department

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Nellie Manley ... hairdresser
Gustaf Norin ... makeup
Helene Parrish ... hairdresser
Harry Ray ... makeup
Ray Sebastian ... makeup
Charles Gemora ... makeup artist: Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
Wally Westmore ... makeup artist: Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)

Production Management

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Ben Hersh ... production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

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Emmett Emerson ... assistant director
Frank Losee ... second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department

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Stanley Detlie ... property master

Sound Department

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Fred Lau ... sound

Special Effects by

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Lee Zavitz ... special effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

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Madison S. Lacy ... stills photographer (uncredited)

Casting Department

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William Maybery ... casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

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Edith Head ... costumes: Miss Dietrich
Joe King ... costumer (as Joseph King)
Adele Parmenter ... costumes (uncredited)

Music Department

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Ernest Gold ... music conducted by
Leonid Raab ... music arranged by

Script and Continuity Department

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John Franco ... script supervisor

Additional Crew

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Doane Harrison ... production associate
Edward Small ... presenter
Basil Bleck ... technical advisor (uncredited)
Jack Cooper ... publicity director (uncredited)
Noël Coward ... dialogue director (uncredited)
Bert Steiner ... dialogue director (uncredited)
Crew verified as complete

Production Companies

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Distributors

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Special Effects

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Other Companies

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Storyline

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Plot Summary

Ailing barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts is thrust back into the courtroom in what becomes one of the most unusual and eventful murder cases of the lawyer's career when he finds himself defending Leonard Vole, a man being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman. With Robarts choosing to represent him, the two find themselves up against Leonard's cold-hearted wife, Christine - who, in a surprising turn of events, chooses to appear in court against her husband. Written by Kyle Perez

Plot Keywords
Taglines The most electrifying entertainment of our time! See more »
Genres
Parents Guide View content advisory »
Certification

Additional Details

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Also Known As
  • Testigo de cargo (United States, Spanish title)
  • Témoin à charge (France)
  • Zeugin der Anklage (Germany)
  • Testimoni de càrrec (Spain, Catalan title)
  • Testigo de cargo (Spain)
  • See more »
Runtime
  • 116 min
Country
Language
Color
Aspect Ratio
Sound Mix
Filming Locations

Box Office

Budget $3,000,000 (estimated)
Cumulative Worldwide Gross $16,350,000

Did You Know?

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Trivia Charles Laughton, who could be moody and difficult, was apparently a dream to work with, throwing himself into the role with dedication and delight. Billy Wilder later recalled a day that was set aside just for shooting reaction shots of the jury and courtroom crowd (composed of extras hired only for the day). Normally, the assistant director would read the actors' lines, and the extras would react. However, Laughton, who was fascinated with the whole process of filmmaking, begged to help. So he came in on his day off and read all of the off-camera speeches to the jury members. He not only read his part but also the judge's, the prosecutor's, and even Marlene Dietrich's. According to biographer Maurice Zolotow in his book "Billy Wilder in Hollywood", "it was an exhibition of craftsmanship such as Wilder had never seen. He believes that Charles Laughton had the greatest technical range and power of any actor, man or woman, whom he has known." See more »
Goofs (at around 9 mins) Inside his chamber, Sir Wilfrid lights his cigar, and Leonard Vole locks the door to make sure that Miss Plimsoll can't enter the room and catch him smoking. Later (at around 15 mins), Wilfrid leaves his chamber without first unlocking the door. Actually, Vole does not lock the door, but puts the keyhole cover in place to stop Plimsoll spying through the keyhole. See more »
Movie Connections Featured in Marlene (1984). See more »
Soundtracks I May Never Go Home Anymore See more »
Crazy Credits As the end credits appear on screen, an announcer's voice is heard: "The management of this theater suggests that for the greater entertainment of your friends who have not yet seen the picture you will not divulge to anyone the secret of the ending of Witness for the Prosecution." See more »
Quotes Sir Wilfrid: I am constantly surprised that women's hats do not provoke more murders.
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