Witness for the Prosecution

1957

1h 56m

IMDb RATING

8.2/10

1.5K

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Drama

Mystery

Crime

An ailing barrister agrees to defend a man in a sensational murder trial where the unconvincing testimony of the defendant's wife becomes a subject of confusion.

Directors

Billy Wilder

Writers

Agatha Christie(novel by)

Lawrence B. Marcus(adaptation by)

Billy Wilder(screenplay by)

Stars

Tyrone Power

Marlene Dietrich

Charles Laughton

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Top cast

Leonard Vole

Christine

Sir Wilfrid

Miss Plimsoll

Brogan-Moore

Mayhew

Carter

Mr. Myers

Mrs. French

Janet

Judge

Inspector Hearne

Diana

Court Officer (uncredited)

Don Ames

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Walter Bacon

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Eddie Baker

Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Benjie Bancroft

Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Directors

Billy Wilder

Writers

Agatha Christie(novel by)

Lawrence B. Marcus(adaptation by)

Billy Wilder(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

I might be asking for trouble here, but did Charles Laughton ever actually make a bad film? He leads this one as the brilliant but curmudgeonly barrister "Sir Wildred Robarts" with oodles of charisma and style. Marlene Dietrich portrays the evil, manipulative "Christine Vole" marvellously and even Tyrone Power, more the matinée idol than the serious actor, delivers as required in Billy Wilder's outstanding rendition of the Agatha Christie story about a man accused of murdering an elderly lady who has just happened to leave him a great deal of money in her will. Elsa Lanchester is suitably annoying/scary/lovable as the nurse trying to keep her ailing charge from keeling over mid-trial and a slew of other capable British actors - including a wonderfully charismatic turn from Una O'Connor in the witness box - fill in the supporting roles well. It is one of those very rare occasions where everything just gels perfectly and it really is fun to watch. Some of Laughton's wry asides and put-down lines are genuinely laugh out loud too. Had it not come up against "Bridge on the River Kwai" then I'm sure it would have garnered at least one Oscar!

Geronimo196703 Nov, 2022