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Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
1 July 1959 (USA)
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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
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Topics/Questions/Exercises Of The Week—13 November 2009
(From The Auteurs. 13 November 2009, 8:45 AM, PST)
New poster for The Mechanic
(From TotalFilm. 28 September 2009, 5:03 AM, PDT)
(From The Auteurs. 13 November 2009, 8:45 AM, PST)
New poster for The Mechanic
(From TotalFilm. 28 September 2009, 5:03 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
One of the best courtroom dramas ever
more (141 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | James Stewart | ... | Paul Biegler |
 | Lee Remick | ... | Laura Manion |
 | Ben Gazzara | ... | Lt. Frederick Manion |
| Arthur O'Connell | ... | Parnell Emmett McCarthy |
| Eve Arden | ... | Maida Rutledge |
| Kathryn Grant | ... | Mary Pilant |
 | George C. Scott | ... | Asst. State Atty. Gen. Claude Dancer |
 | Orson Bean | ... | Dr. Matthew Smith |
| Russ Brown | ... | George Lemon |
| Murray Hamilton | ... | Alphonse Paquette |
| Brooks West | ... | Dist. Atty. Mitch Lodwick |
| Ken Lynch | ... | Det. Sgt. James Durgo |
| John Qualen | ... | Deputy Sheriff Sulo |
| Howard McNear | ... | Dr. Dompierre |
| Alexander Campbell | ... | Dr. W. Gregory Harcourt |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
160 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
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
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Otto Preminger originally wanted Lee Remick for the part of Laura because he had been impressed with her debut in A Face in the Crowd (1957) and knew that she could play a young sultry woman (even though Remick was 8 months pregnant when Preminger approached her for the role). A few weeks later he called to tell her that he had given the part to Lana Turner and instead offered her a smaller role of Mary Pilant, but Remick boldly refused. On an especially hectic day when Remick received a call saying that she had the part of Laura, she thought it was a joke and hung up. It took another phone call to convince her that she truly did have the lead female role.
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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.
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Quotes:
Paul Biegler:
The prosecution would like to separate the motive from the act. Well, that's like trying to take the core from an apple without breaking the skin.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "That Girl: Anatomy of a Blunder (#1.5)" (1966)
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FAQ
Why does Biegler want to prove that Mrs. Manion was raped? All that matters is that Lt. Manion BELIEVED she had been raped, causing temporary insanity.How closely does the movie follow the book?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
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An excellent ballet of film direction and courtroom procedure, Anatomy is one of the best courtroom movies ever produced. With a great cast and three dimensional characters, highlighted by Jimmy Stewart and his usual "likeable everyman" character, the film moves briskly and intelligently, thanks to Premminger's fine direction.
Ben Gazzara plays an army soldier who shoots a man who raped his wife, then pleads insanity. Stewart is his lawyer and Lee Remick is great as the suggestive, somewhat slutty wife who leaves you questioning her motives throughout. Whether or not you agree with the final verdict (personally, I don't), you will agree that this is a great film, worth repeated viewings.