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The Verdict

  • 19821982
  • RR
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
42K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,766
286
The Verdict (1982)
Theatrical Trailer from 20th Century Fox
Play trailer2:20
1 Video
94 Photos
Drama
An outcast, alcoholic Boston lawyer sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settling.An outcast, alcoholic Boston lawyer sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settling.An outcast, alcoholic Boston lawyer sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settling.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
42K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,766
286
    • Sidney Lumet
    • Barry Reed(based upon the novel by)
    • David Mamet(screenplay)
    • Jay Presson Allen(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Charlotte Rampling
    • Jack Warden
    • Sidney Lumet
    • Barry Reed(based upon the novel by)
    • David Mamet(screenplay)
    • Jay Presson Allen(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Charlotte Rampling
    • Jack Warden
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 208User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars

    Videos1

    The Verdict
    Trailer 2:20
    Watch The Verdict

    Photos94

    Paul Newman in The Verdict (1982)
    Paul Newman in The Verdict (1982)
    Paul Newman and Sidney Lumet in The Verdict (1982)
    Paul Newman and Charlotte Rampling in The Verdict (1982)
    Paul Newman and Jack Warden in The Verdict (1982)
    Paul Newman and Jack Warden in The Verdict (1982)
    Paul Newman and Charlotte Rampling in The Verdict (1982)
    James Mason, Paul Newman, and Wesley Addy in The Verdict (1982)
    Paul Newman in The Verdict (1982)
    "The Verdict," Paul Newman & Joe Seneca (foreground)
    "The Verdict," Paul Newman.
    James Mason, Paul Newman, and Charlotte Rampling in The Verdict (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Newman
    Paul Newman
    • Frank Galvin
    Charlotte Rampling
    Charlotte Rampling
    • Laura Fischer
    Jack Warden
    Jack Warden
    • Mickey Morrissey
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Ed Concannon
    Milo O'Shea
    Milo O'Shea
    • Judge Hoyle
    Lindsay Crouse
    Lindsay Crouse
    • Kaitlin Costello Price
    Edward Binns
    Edward Binns
    • Bishop Brophy
    Julie Bovasso
    Julie Bovasso
    • Maureen Rooney
    Roxanne Hart
    Roxanne Hart
    • Sally Doneghy
    James Handy
    James Handy
    • Kevin Doneghy
    Wesley Addy
    Wesley Addy
    • Dr. Towler
    Joe Seneca
    Joe Seneca
    • Dr. Thompson
    Lewis J. Stadlen
    Lewis J. Stadlen
    • Dr. Gruber
    • (as Lewis Stadlen)
    Kent Broadhurst
    Kent Broadhurst
    • Joseph Alito
    Colin Stinton
    Colin Stinton
    • Billy
    Burtt Harris
    • Jimmy - the Bartender
    Scott Rhyne
    • Young Priest
    Susan Benenson
    • Deborah Ann Kaye
      • Sidney Lumet
      • Barry Reed(based upon the novel by)
      • David Mamet(screenplay)
      • Jay Presson Allen(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Frank uses eye drops to hide the redness in his eyes caused by alcoholism. According the DVD commentary by Sidney Lumet, this was Paul Newman's own idea.
    • Goofs
      In the climactic courtroom scene, when Frank calls Kaitlin to the stand, Concannon is flustered and confers with one of his lawyers. The lawyer then leaves the courtroom, presumably having been given some direction by Concannon. Later, after Kaitlin has been questioned by Frank and cross-examined by Concannon, the lawyer returns with a book containing the case Concannon cites to get the judge to disallow the admittance of the photocopy of the hospital admission form as evidence. However, at the point at which Concannon calls the lawyer over and then, presumably, sends him out to "find" this book/case, he doesn't even know about the existence of the photocopy because he hasn't yet questioned Kaitlin; it's during his questioning of Kaitlin that she reveals she has a photocopy of the form. So there's no way the lawyer would have known to go out and find a case regarding the inadmissibility of a photocopy.
    • Quotes

      [Frank is giving his summation to the jury]

      Frank Galvin: You know, so much of the time we're just lost. We say, "Please, God, tell us what is right; tell us what is true." And there is no justice: the rich win, the poor are powerless. We become tired of hearing people lie. And after a time, we become dead... a little dead. We think of ourselves as victims... and we become victims. We become... we become weak. We doubt ourselves, we doubt our beliefs. We doubt our institutions. And we doubt the law. But today you are the law. You ARE the law. Not some book... not the lawyers... not the, a marble statue... or the trappings of the court. See those are just symbols of our desire to be just. They are... they are, in fact, a prayer: a fervent and a frightened prayer. In my religion, they say, "Act as if ye had faith... and faith will be given to you." IF... if we are to have faith in justice, we need only to believe in ourselves. And ACT with justice. See, I believe there is justice in our hearts.

      [he sits down]

    • Alternate versions
      NBC edited 33 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Tootsie/The Verdict/Sophies Choice/Airplane II (1982)

    User reviews208

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    One of the Greatest Performances You'll Ever See
    The Verdict (1982)

    **** (out of 4)

    Disgraced, alcoholic lawyer Frank Galvin (Paul Newman) is handed his best case in years and in return all he has to do is collect the settlement. Instead of doing so Frank sees this case at a shot at redemption so he takes it to trial against one of the best defense lawyers (James Mason).

    THE VERDICT is without question one of the greatest courtroom dramas that you're ever going to see. I'd argue that it's also one of the greatest films of the decade. I'd even go a step further and say it's one of the greatest and most powerful films ever made. I will even add more praise in saying that it contains perhaps the greatest ensemble acting that you're ever going to witness. Is all of this too much praise to throw on a film? No when it's for a film like THE VERDICT.

    Obviously everything here begins and ends with Newman who gives one of the greatest performances that you're ever going to witness. I always said that Marlon Brando's performance in LAST TANGO IN Paris is the greatest performance i have ever seen but this one by Newman is close. Just take a look at the sequence before the trial where his character has a panic attack. Just see the fear in eyes, his movement and the fear in his voice. Watch his final speech to the jury. Check out a twist, which I won't ruin, but deals with him being betrayed. A lot of times a music score and editing help "make" a performance but in all of these scenes there are none of that. Instead it's just Newman delivering a performance and often it's shown in one take.

    Not only is the lead terrific but so are all the supporting players. Jack Warden is terrific in his role as the assistant. Charlotte Rampling is as calm and cold as you can get. As for Mason, did you ever doubt that you were watching a brilliant lawyer work his magic? Milo O'Shea will have your blood boiling in the role of the judge. All of the important characters are brought to life through terrific performances but even the small roles are flawlessly acted. Edward Binns as the Bishop. Lindsay Crouse as an important witness.James Handy and Roxanne Hart as the suffering family members.

    THE VERDICT is one of the most grim and dark movies that you're ever going to see. The character study of a drunk and a loser makes for some very dark moments and director Sidney Lumet perfectly sets everything up during the opening sequence where we learn everything we need to know. His direction throughout is flawless. The film is slow-paced but it's done for a reason and it's impact is certainly felt in the end. The story is a rather simple one about redemption but the movie offers up so much drama and suspense that it works just like a thriller.

    THE VERDICT is a film that deserves all the praise one can give it.
    helpful•13
    0
    • Michael_Elliott
    • Jan 26, 2016

    FAQ9

    • What is 'The Verdict' about?
    • Is 'The Verdict' based on a book?
    • What is an ambulance chaser?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 17, 1982 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Vazac's Bar - 108 Avenue B, East Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 9 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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