Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

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)

Stars:

Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton

Top Rated Movies #69 | Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tyrone Power	...	Leonard Vole
Marlene Dietrich	...	Christine
Charles Laughton	...	Sir Wilfrid Roberts
Elsa Lanchester	...	Miss Plimsoll
John Williams	...	Brogan-Moore
Henry Daniell	...	Mayhew
Ian Wolfe	...	Carter
Torin Thatcher	...	Mr. Myers
Norma Varden	...	Mrs. Emily Jane French
Una O'Connor	...	Janet MacKenzie
Francis Compton	...	Judge
Philip Tonge	...	Inspector Hearne
Ruta Lee	...	Diana

Storyline

Britain, 1953. Upon his return to work following a heart attack, barrister takes on a murder case,. The case is defending American war vet Leonard Vole, a poor, out of work, struggling inventor who's accused of murdering his middle-aged lonely and wealthy acquaintance, Emily French. The evidence is circumstantial but points to Leonard as the murderer, butr the csse has constant revelations.

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Plot Keywords:

lawyer | courtroom drama | alibi | london england | defense attorney | 

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Taglines:

It's climaxed by the 10 breath-stopping minutes you ever lived! Don't reveal the ending-please!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charles Laughton appears as himself, talking directly to the audience, in the lengthy 4 minute trailer.

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Goofs

The witness Janet McKenzie testified that October the 14 was a Friday. The film is set in 1952; if the year of the murder was 1952, October 14 was a Tuesday or if 1951, October the 14 was a Sunday. The last year October 14 was on a Friday before 1952 was 1949.

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Quotes

Sir Wilfrid: Kings, prime ministers, archbishops, even barristers have stood in the dock.

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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."

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Tyrone Power (1962)

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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 Reviews

Billy Wilder meets Agatha Christie

Another brilliant work in the legendary career of Billy Wilder. The director signs a cinematic adaptation of this Agatha Christie story: actually it is really as if the camera went on stage for filming the play. But the film is passionating and exciting, there's no time to get bored.

Another thing we shall not forget is that Billy Wilder is European. He manages to keep the spirit of the film very British, with lots of humour and sarcasm. Compared to films like this one, "legal" movies from John Grisham's novels are empty and meaningless, without soul.

Mr.Wilder is the director, we know; we have Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich: what a cast! Add a superb black and white cinematography... The result is amazing, with a film where dialogues are flawless and carry everything.

Times are different now, but the atmosphere and the taste of movies like this one are impossible to find in contemporary films.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

6 February 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Witness for the Prosecution

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,693

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward Small Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1