IMDb > "Hallmark Hall of Fame" Witness for the Prosecution (1982)
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"Hallmark Hall of Fame" Witness for the Prosecution (1982)


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   241 votes
Director:
Alan Gibson
Writers:
Agatha Christie (play)
Billy Wilder (1957 screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Witness for the Prosecution on IMDbPro.
TV Series:
"Hallmark Hall of Fame" (1951)
Original Air Date:
4 December 1982 (Season 32, Episode 1)
Plot:
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Plot Keywords:
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Awards:
Nominated for Primetime Emmy. more
User Comments:
Excellent remake more (12 total)

Cast

  (Episode Cast overview, first billed only)
Ralph Richardson ... Sir Wilfred Robarts

Deborah Kerr ... Nurse Plimsoll

Beau Bridges ... Leonard Vole

Donald Pleasence ... Mr. Myers
Wendy Hiller ... Janet Mackenzie
Diana Rigg ... Christine Vole
David Langton ... Mayhew
Richard Vernon ... Brogan-Moore
Peter Sallis ... Carter
Michael Gough ... Judge
Frank Mills ... Chief Inspector Hearne
Michael Nightingale ... Clerk of the Court
Peter Copley ... Dr. Harrison
Patricia Leslie ... Mrs. French
John Kidd ... Court Usher
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
97 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Iceland:12
Filming Locations:
Twickenham Film Studios, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK
Company:
CBS Entertainment Production more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Last film of Michael Nightingale. more
Movie Connections:
Version of Witness for the Prosecution (1949) (TV) more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
Excellent remake, 1 September 2009
Author: scott-palmer2 from United States

This 1982 TV film boasts a grand cast (with a notable exception), good camera-work, sets, and lighting. The 1957 version made in Hollywood cast Hollywood actors-most of them British residents. The exception to that was Tyrone Power, although there was no mention in the original story of Leonard Vole being an American. This remake follows suit by casting Beau Bridges as Vole-a great mistake. Whereas Power gave an excellent performance, Bridges is weak and is easily dominated by the talents of the other actors.

Sir Ralph Richardson gives a fine performance, playing barrister Sir Wilfred Robarts with a charm and whimsicality that was his trademark. Deborah Kerr is also quite good as the nurse-a definite improvement from Elsa Lanchester's annoying performance in the earlier film. For a reason unknown to many people, producers of film adaptations of Agatha Christie stories seem to think comedy elements are necessary when the genius of Christie was creating taut, dramatic, mysterious, and dangerous situations-mostly dealing with murder, and there's nothing funny about that. Some may see it as "entertaining," but these elements are totally unnecessary and mostly out of place (and not believable either).

This version took pains to cast truly great actors in even the smaller parts. The legal profession is represented by such distinguished persons as Donald Pleasence, Michael Gough, David Langton and Richard Vernon, and Peter Copley played the doctor. Even the servant Janet McKenzie is played by none other than Dame Wendy Hiller! Diana (later Dame Diana) Rigg is also quite good as Romaine (they restored the character's original name), although unlike Marlene Dietrich she had to assume the German accent.

Norman Rosemont, who was responsible for making many of the best TV movies during the 1970s and 80s, produced this one.

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does anyone know where I can find this film? nori-5
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