Witness for the Prosecution (TV 1982)

Efficient, but bitter and stubborn, barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts returns to his office in London, having recovered from a heart attack. He is subsequently invited to defend Leonard Stephen... See full summary »

Director:

Alan Gibson

Writers:

Agatha Christie (play), Billy Wilder,

Stars:

Ralph Richardson, Deborah Kerr, Beau Bridges

Cast

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

Storyline

Efficient, but bitter and stubborn, barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts returns to his office in London, having recovered from a heart attack. He is subsequently invited to defend Leonard Stephen Vole, who is the prime suspect in a murder case. Leonard is a former soldier that fought in World War II and is married to his beloved German wife Christine Helm Vole. He is unemployed and accused of seducing and murdering the wealthy middle-aged single woman, Emily French, to inherit 80,000 pounds.

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Plot Keywords:

witness for the prosecution | murder | remake | based on adaptation | courtroom | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Witness for the Prosecution (#32.1)

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Film Studios, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Entertainment Production, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Rosemont Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last film of Michael Nightingale.

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Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

Excellent remake

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.