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Trial and Error (1962)

The Dock Brief (original title)
| Comedy, Drama | 5 August 1963 (Sweden)
Trial and Error Poster
An incompetent barrister is assigned to defend an accused wife murderer.

Director:

James Hill

Writers:

John Mortimer (play), Pierre Rouve (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Sellers, Richard Attenborough, Beryl Reid | See full cast & crew »
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Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Sellers ... Morgenhall
Richard Attenborough ... Fowle
Beryl Reid ... Doris
David Lodge ... Bateson
Frank Pettingell ... Tuppy Morgan
Tristram Jellinek Tristram Jellinek ... Perkins
Audrey Nicholson Audrey Nicholson ... Morgenhall's Girl
Eric Woodburn Eric Woodburn ... Judge Banter
John Waite John Waite ... Clerk of the Court
Patrick Newell ... First Warder
Henry Kay ... Second Warder
Frank Thornton ... Photographer
Eric Dodson ... Examiner
See full cast »
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Storyline

An incompetent barrister is assigned to defend an accused wife murderer.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

murder trial | lawyer | based on play | trial | murder | See All (7) »

Taglines:

This is NOT the Birdman of Alcatraz!..It's only Peter Sellers with his sly, sneaky style of humor that creeps up on you and the leaves you wanting more.

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Latin

Release Date:

5 August 1963 (Sweden) See more »

Also Known As:

Trial and Error See more »

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimitri De Grunwald Production, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: The events, characters and firms depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead or to actual firms is strictly coincidental.

All rights in this motion picture reserved under international conventions. See more »

Goofs

While Morgenhall is waiting for his "first case," a series of crossword puzzles are shown, as "time passes." Unfortunately, the puzzles are not in numerical order --- their numbers go up and down, never continually increasing, as they should as the months and years go "passing by." See more »

Connections

Version of Dock Brief (1960) See more »

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User Reviews

 
A little gem
10 January 2005 | by kjff – See all my reviews

This is Peter Sellers at his ridiculous best, before he became Inspector Clouseau, even before he invaded the US in the Mouse That Roared. A quiet, satirical comedy that has an aging and inept English barrister defending his first case - an open and shut murder with Richard Attenborough as the husband whose wife drove him over the edge. Since he's clearly guilty, his lawyer imagines a variety of improbable and unsuccessful defenses. Attenborough hopefully joins in Sellers' mental machinations as they act out their courtroom tactics. The ending is a treat -- and we'll leave it at that. If you are a Peter Sellers fan but are not familiar with the numerous, small movies he made before becoming a star in the US, try this one out. You won't be disappointed.
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