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IMDb > "The Defenders" (1961)

"The Defenders" (1961) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1961-1965

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Overview

User Rating:
8.7/10   78 votes
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Down 6% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Ernest Kinoy (writer) (2 episodes)
Martin Donaldson (story)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Defenders on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 full episode list
Release Date:
16 September 1961 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
A Father-Son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day. full summary
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Golden Globe. Another 13 wins & 13 nominations more
NewsDesk:
'Cool Hand Luke' Director Stuart Rosenberg Dies
 (From WENN. 19 March 2007)

User Comments:
The Defenders: The reason I became a lawyer more

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 2 of 180)

E.G. Marshall ... Lawrence Preston (132 episodes, 1961-1965)
Robert Reed ... Kenneth Preston (132 episodes, 1961-1965)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
60 min (132 episodes)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Argentina:13

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The characters first appeared in an episode of "Studio One" (1948), when the were played by Ralph Bellamy an William Shatner. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "My Mother the Car: The De-Fenders (#1.2)" (1965) more

FAQ

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful:-
The Defenders: The reason I became a lawyer, 14 March 2008
10/10
Author: nandue0929 from United States

This landmark TV series (1961-65) was years ahead of its time. It correlated many contemporary stories from the headlines and did so with uncompromising depth. The protagonist attorneys (The late E.G. Marshall, Robert Reed) lost nearly as many cases as they won, because the series focused on controversial social issues where there were no easy answers or solutions. This was reflected in the outcome of some episodes. The issues included abortion; euthanasia; capital punishment; censorship; blacklisting; criminal insanity; Nazis; cannibalism; and a variation of what is currently called "road rage." The first listed, "The Benefactor," was a compelling episode about abortion, years before it was legal. The last, "Death on Wheels," involved an enraged motorist who accidentally killed a pedestrian after a heated argument with his wife.

The Defenders theme song coupled with an aerial view of the courthouses in Foley Square, New York City, were presented with the onset of each episode. Immediately before the theme, the viewer saw the actual crime being committed when possible, which was graphically realistic and sometimes unnerving. The lawyers then often interviewed their clients in a simulated version of "The Tombs," an archaic NYC jail. The late E.G. Marshall portrayed the lead attorney, Lawrence Preston, with flawless acting that was in a class by itself. Indeed, he was so convincing that it was difficult for me to think of him thereafter as anyone else. The style and integrity he displayed in The Defenders inspired my interest in the law and was one of the initial reasons I became a lawyer.

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The Defenders on DVD or Video chchurch
What courthouse was used in opening shots? (solved by me) Deusvolt
Mad Men - Benefactor Episode doug-henning
Boston Legal j-leitman
Robert Reed suttonroberts
David E Kelly put this on DVD lneilan
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Episode guide Full cast and crew Company credits
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