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IMDb > Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Anatomy of a Murder
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Anatomy of a Murder (1959) More at IMDb Pro »

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Overview

User Rating:
Director:
Otto Preminger
Writers:
John D. Voelker (novel)
Wendell Mayes (screenplay)
Release Date:
1 July 1959 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Mystery more
Plot:
In a murder trial, the defendant says he suffered temporary insanity after the victim raped his wife. What is the truth, and will he win his case? full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 11 nominations more
User Comments:
Intense, Dramatic, Well Crafted Suspense... more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
160 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Australia:M | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1959) | Sweden:15 | UK:12A (re-rating) (2005) | UK:12 (video re-rating) 2001) | UK:15 (video rating) (1988) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Unrated | West Germany:16 | Iceland:12
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 32% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film was cut, scored and in previews only a month after filming had wrapped. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Several times in the movie one of the characters makes a humorous comment and you hear the courtroom audience burst out laughing; however, when the camera immediately turns to the audience, they are shown completely still and without emotion. more
Quotes:
Judge Weaver: Now, Mr. Dancer, get off the panties. You've done enough damage. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "Get Smart: Anatomy of a Lover (#2.1)" (1966) more

FAQ

A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
Is this movie based on a novel?
How closely does the movie follow the book?
more
49 out of 59 people found the following comment useful:-
Intense, Dramatic, Well Crafted Suspense..., 6 August 1999
Author: Heather Magee from Williamsburg, Virginia

Well filmed, beautifully acted, and painstakingly directed, this film deserves the highest praise.

James Stewart brings his customary stammering, quirky charm to a role that could have easily become overwhelmingly serious. Lee Remick is seen establishing her early image as the somehow fragile, undeniably seductive pawn (see also "A Face in The Crowd"), while Gazzara wavers intensely somewhere between heartless murderer and protective husband. The supporting cast is strong, creating a human backdrop for the senior players, keeping the story in the real world, effectively preventing this from becoming an exercise in legal theory.

This film is noteworthy for a myriad of reasons, but most specifically because it addresses the still controversial issue of acquaintance rape, and presents us with a victim of questionable morals. At the same time our murder victim is seen as a monster, then a friend and father. There really are no heroes here, no noble defenders, no pristine heroines, no completely innocent bystanders...both sides take their turns pointing fingers, each claiming that the other only got what they deserved.

We are forced to re-evaluate our thoughts on what constitutes justifiable homicide--the unwritten law that Manion speaks of in the film versus the law as written that Biegler must now interpret. This manipulation of intended meaning sets a somewhat tragic precedent evident in the legal system we work within today.

This film is highly entertaining, and excellent for discussion. Watch it with some of your more philosophical friends.

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Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Bad actor: The Judge rios0119
Mary Pilante 398
why is it in black and white lookout2
My hometown movie... ltappy
I didn't like the ending, or maybe just didn't get it McHinch
why the movie rated so high? junkielee
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