This 1957 film is so educational to the average person about how complex capital court cases can be, and they must be as someone's very right to live is often hanging in the balance. Everyone chosen to sit on a jury brings his entire life-history and prejudices and bias to that theatre. If the accused reminds him of someone from his past, or someone's facial features dredge up unpleasant thoughts, well it can cinch a wrong verdict. Even another great Henry Fonda movie--The Wrong Man--serves to show us that what looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck may be a duck, but it may not be the RIGHT duck. This movie about the one hold-out on the jury (Fonda) reaps the wrath of the fellow jury members who want to get on with their lives--an almost unbearable influence. It is played so well by all the players, was so good and true, that it no doubt greatly influenced the process of jury selection from that day forward. Jury selection has become a fine art and is often more important than any evidence presented at a trial. Backgrounds of each and every candidate are delved into, their preferences, their dislikes, grudges they may hold, their race, their sex, their educational and occupational backgrounds. If a jury is likely to become a hung jury, because of the balance of the scales of evidence and testimony, well the personalities of the jurors may be the deciding factors in votes cast. Twelve Angry Men is a great drama, played by great actors, but it also served to teach us well about the complexities of our legal system and the possible consequences of mis-cast votes. Though much has changed in today's court systems, one thing has not--life will always be made unpleasant, or even threatened by other jury members not in agreement with hold-outs. Always a thought-provoking movie to re-view.
December 28, 2008Found this one on TV about half way through and had to look for it again. After I watched it all the way through I had to add it to my collection. Many stars young in their careers.
December 20, 2008The Bottom Line:
12 Angry Men is a fascinating film, hurt only by the fact that it is pretty obvious where things are heading; nonetheless, it's a well-made and thoroughly interesting journey before it gets to its destination.
December 19, 2008This movie is a really powerful demonstration of the "art" of movie making as it is hard to find today. Pure content, no special effects, a simple setting - yet extremely exciting, makes you wanna continue watching until the last minute. A true classic!
November 3, 2008 |  | You get what you pay for. |  |
It's the same classic we all know and love, except it's in it's anniversary edition and quickly delivered by Amazon.com. Enjoy the movie.....again.
November 2, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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