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Movies / On DVD / Anatomy of a Murder
Anatomy of a Murder

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Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

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Reviews Counted: 37

Fresh: 37

Rotten:0

Average Rating: 8.5/10

Consensus: One of cinema's greatest courtroom dramas, Anatomy of a Murder is tense, thought-provoking, and brilliantly acted, with great performances from James Stewart and George C. Scott.

Runtime: 2 hrs 41 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Director Preminger thrives in tense legal showdowns and this is perhaps his best, mostly for Stewart's cagey performance as a deceptively wily small-town lawyer. An army lieutenant shoots a bar... Director Preminger thrives in tense legal showdowns and this is perhaps his best, mostly for Stewart's cagey performance as a deceptively wily small-town lawyer. An army lieutenant shoots a bar owner for allegedly raping his wife. A trial ensues, in which his attempts to convince the jury that the lieutenant is innocent of first degree murder because of he was the victim of an "irresistible impulse." The plot is complicated by the nature of the criminal and defendants, none of whom is purely good or evil, but who all have a complex relationship to the law and to society. [More]

Starring: James Stewart, George C. Scott, Murray Hamilton, Eve Arden

Starring: James Stewart, George C. Scott, Murray Hamilton, Eve Arden, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, Orson Bean, Arthur O'Connell

Director: Otto Preminger

Director: Otto Preminger
Producer: Otto Preminger
Composer: Duke Ellington

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 11, 2000

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • A riveting courtroom drama of rape and premeditated murder is brought to life with an all-star castin the suspenseful and highly-acclaimed ANATOMY OF A MURDER. Nominated for seven Academy Awards(r) including Best Picture (1959). The film pits a humble small-town lawyer (James Stewart) against a hard-headed big city prosecutor (George C. Scott). Emotions flare as a jealous army lieutenant (Ben Gazzara) pleads innocent to murdering the rapist of his seductive, beautiful wife (Lee Remick). Producedand directed by the renowned Otto Preminger, the film features a brilliant score by Duke Ellington.Packed with drama, passion and intrigue, ANATOMY OF A MURDER is a cinematic masterpiece that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
  • Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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    Reviews for Anatomy of a Murder

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    At 160 minutes, Anatomy is longer than the subject warrants, but the pace seldom slackens -- thanks to the competence of Director Otto Preminger.

    Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
    04/24/09
    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The picture is superbly photographed by Sam Leavitt in black and white, though there's nothing black and white about the movie's morality.

    Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
    10/23/07
    Philip French
    Observer [UK]

    To me Remick's damaged, dysfunctional presence is the really subversive thing about the picture. And Stewart's grandstanding attorney propels this long film to its final verdict.

    Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
    10/23/07
    Peter Bradshaw
    Guardian [UK]

    From the stylised Saul Bass credit sequence to Preminger's assured direction, this is a thought provoking, superbly acted drama that simply oozes class.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    10/23/07
    Tom Dawson
    Channel 4 Film

    Preminger purposely creates situations that flicker with uncertainty, that may be evaluated in different ways. Motives are mixed and dubious, and, therefore, sustain interest.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    10/23/07
    Variety Staff
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    As an entertaining look at legal process, this is spellbinding all the way, infused by an ambiguity about human personality and motivation that is Preminger's trademark, and the location shooting is superb.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    10/23/07
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Coolly absorbing, nonchalantly cynical.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Jessica Winter
    Time Out

    It's simply the best trial movie ever made.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    04/01/06
    Kim Newman
    Empire Magazine

    Otto at the top of his game.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    02/22/06
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Atypical of Hollywood court dramas of the era, Preminger's masterpiece is marked by moral ambiguity, dark visuals (b/w cinematography), great performance from Jimmy Stewart as a "loser" lawyer, one of the longest court trials, and objective camera.

    Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
    12/02/05
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/09/05
    Chuck O'Leary
    Fantastica Daily

    The screenplay, from a novel by John D. Voelker, drips with the smoke-drenched taste of 1940s noir, stinging the eyes and lungs.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
    07/31/05
    Phil Villarreal
    Arizona Daily Star

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/06/05
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/25/05
    Moriarty
    Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews

    Time has blunted much of the film's daringly ironic take on notions of guilt and innocence. Yet it still stands as a telling commentary on 50s America.

    Full Review Source: BBC | comment 1 Comment
    04/19/05
    Jamie Russell
    BBC

    Packed with astonishing dialog and bristly performances, this is essential cinema.

    Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
    04/18/05
    Rich Cline
    Shadows on the Wall

    Courtroom procedurals this nimble don't come along often, but with Anatomy of a Murder, Preminger showed how it could be done.

    Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
    04/17/05
    Shay Casey
    FilmFocus

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    01/21/05
    Thomas Delapa
    Boulder Weekly

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    11/19/04
    Robin Clifford
    Reeling Reviews

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/07/04
    Jake Euker
    F5 (Wichita, KS)
     
     
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