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    Witness for the Prosecution

    • 19571957
    • ApprovedApproved
    • 1h 56min
    IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    113K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,514
    72
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Watch {VideoTitle}
    Trailer3:09
    1 Video
    99+ Photos
    CrimeDramaMystery

    A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.

    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Agatha Christie(in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
      • Billy Wilder(screen play)
      • Harry Kurnitz(screen play)
    • Stars
      • Tyrone Power
      • Marlene Dietrich
      • Charles Laughton
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Agatha Christie(in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
      • Billy Wilder(screen play)
      • Harry Kurnitz(screen play)
    • Stars
      • Tyrone Power
      • Marlene Dietrich
      • Charles Laughton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 283User reviews
    • 107Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Top rated movie #64
    • Nominated for 6 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 3:09
    Trailer [OV]

    Photos327

    Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Tyrone Power and Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Charles Laughton and John Williams in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Marlene Dietrich in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Tyrone Power in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, and Ian Wolfe in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Marlene Dietrich and Tyrone Power in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Marlene Dietrich in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    Tyrone Power, Charles Laughton, John Williams, Henry Daniell, and Ian Wolfe in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
    "Witness For The Prosecution" Marlene Dietrich 1957 United Artists / MPTV
    Marlene Dietrich "Witness For The Prosecution" 1957 United Artists / MPTV

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tyrone Power
    Tyrone Power
    • Leonard Voleas Leonard Vole
    Marlene Dietrich
    Marlene Dietrich
    • Christineas Christine
    Charles Laughton
    Charles Laughton
    • Sir Wilfrid Robertsas Sir Wilfrid Roberts
    Elsa Lanchester
    Elsa Lanchester
    • Miss Plimsollas Miss Plimsoll
    John Williams
    John Williams
    • Brogan-Mooreas Brogan-Moore
    Henry Daniell
    Henry Daniell
    • Mayhewas Mayhew
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • Carteras Carter
    Torin Thatcher
    Torin Thatcher
    • Mr. Myersas Mr. Myers
    Norma Varden
    Norma Varden
    • Mrs. Emily Jane Frenchas Mrs. Emily Jane French
    Una O'Connor
    Una O'Connor
    • Janet MacKenzieas Janet MacKenzie
    Francis Compton
    Francis Compton
    • Judgeas Judge
    Philip Tonge
    Philip Tonge
    • Inspector Hearneas Inspector Hearne
    Ruta Lee
    Ruta Lee
    • Dianaas Diana
    Patrick Aherne
    • Court Officeras Court Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Don Ames
    • Bar Patronas Bar Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Walter Bacon
    • Bar Patronas Bar Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Baker
    Eddie Baker
    • Courtroom Spectatoras Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Benjie Bancroft
    • Courtroom Spectatoras Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Agatha Christie(in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
      • Billy Wilder(screen play)
      • Harry Kurnitz(screen play)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Ailing barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts is thrust back into the courtroom in what becomes one of the most unusual and eventful murder case of the lawyer's career when he finds himself defending Leonard Vole, a man being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman. With Robarts choosing to represent him, the two find themselves up against Leonard's cold-hearted wife, Christine - who, in a surprising turn of events, chooses to appear in court against her husband. —Kyle Perez
    lawyercourtroom dramadefense attorneycourtroomprosecution373 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The most electrifying entertainment of our time!
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Charles Laughton, who could be moody and difficult, was apparently a dream to work with, throwing himself into the role with dedication and delight. Billy Wilder later recalled a day that was set aside just for shooting reaction shots of the jury and courtroom crowd (composed of extras hired only for the day). Normally, the assistant director would read the actors' lines and the extras would react. However, Laughton, who was fascinated with the whole process of filmmaking, begged to help. So he came in on his day off and read all of the off-camera speeches for the jury members. He read not only his part, but also the judge's, the prosecutor's and even Marlene Dietrich's. According to biographer Maurice Zolotow in his book "Billy Wilder in Hollywood", the author said, "it was an exhibition of craftsmanship such as Wilder had never seen. He believes that Charles Laughton had the greatest technical range and power of any actor, man or woman, whom he has known."
    • Goofs
      (at around 9 mins) Inside his chamber, Sir Wilfrid lights his cigar and Leonard Vole locks the door to make sure that Miss Plimsoll can't enter the room and catch him smoking. Later, (at around 15 mins) Wilfrid leaves his chamber without first unlocking the door. Actually, Vole does not lock the door, but puts the keyhole cover in place to stop Plimsoll spying through the keyhole.
    • Quotes

      Sir Wilfrid: [getting progressively more agitated] The question is, Frau Helm, were you lying then, are you lying now, or are you not in fact a chronic and habitual LIAR!

    • Crazy credits
      As the end credits appear on screen, an announcer's voice is heard: "The management of this theater suggests that for the greater entertainment of your friends who have not yet seen the picture you will not divulge to anyone the secret of the ending of Witness for the Prosecution."
    • Connections
      Featured in Marlene (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      I May Never Go Home Anymore
      Music by Ralph Arthur Roberts

      Lyrics by Jack Brooks

      Sung by Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)

      Reprised a cappella by Tyrone Power (uncredited)

    User reviews283

    Review
    Top review
    Superb and unjustly maligned film
    WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

    I'm not sure I have the ability to adequately praise this film. The original short story(rather unremarkable, actually)has been expanded into a magnificent example of Hollywood entertainment at its best. In addition to perhaps the finest line-up of character actors ever assembled(next to Cukor's David Copperfield, that is), we get Laughton and Dietrich at the top of their form. The person who criticised Lanchester's performance as "annoying" missed the point entirely. Miss Plimsoll is meant to be annoying! Also, what's with all the bad-mouthing of Tyrone Power? "Hammy"; "terrible"; "worst performance ever". These are the perceptive IMDb reviews? Only one of you got it right: it's hammy because Leonard Vole is the one acting, not Power! For 95% of the film, the character is dissembling, only showing his true colors at the end. Of course it looks hammy: Vole isn't a born actor like his wife. And to all those know-it-alls who called this film mediocre and predictable, I look forward to your upcoming film projects which I'm sure will be paragons of excellence and worthy to be set alongside classics of the golden age.
    helpful•167
    52
    • jasonhurd
    • Jul 31, 2004

    FAQ6

    • What is 'Witness for the Prosecution' about?
    • Is "Witness for the Prosecution" based on a book?
    • When and where does the story take place?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 6, 1958 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Сведок оптужбе
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Edward Small Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,693
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 56min
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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