Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Witness for the Prosecution Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Leonard Vole
as Christine Helm Vole
as Sir Wilfrid Robarts
as Miss Plimsoll
as Brogan-Moore
as Mayhew
as Carter
as Janet
as Meyers
as Mrs. French
as Judge
as Insp. Hearne
as Diana
as Miss McHugh
as Miss Johnson
as Miss O'Brien
as Shorts Salesman
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Critic Reviews for Witness for the Prosecution
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (0) | DVD (2)
His theatrical mise-en-scene -- his proscenium framing -- serves the material well, as does Charles Laughton's bombastic portrayal of the defense attorney.
...the film's origins as an Agatha Christie novel and play, combine to give the movie a heavy -- almost stolid -- theatrical flavour.
A courtroom meller played engagingly and building evenly to a surprising and arousing, albeit tricked-up, climax...
And the air in the courtroom fairly crackles with emotional electricity, until that staggering surprise in the last reel.
Every time the story strays from Sir Wilfrid, the interest level goes down a notch. Fortunately for the viewer, it doesn't get away from him very long at any point.
Witness For The Prosecution has the pace and patience of live theater, but not the look. Wilder doesn't get overly flashy with camera moves and angles, but he does shift positioning subtly and effectively.
Audience Reviews for Witness for the Prosecution
The star here is definitely Charles Laughton, who steals the show and makes each one of his lines sound memorable in this delightfully witty and clever plot by Agatha Christie adapted by Billy Wilder into a near perfect piece of thought-provoking entertainment.
Super Reviewer
Witness for the Prosecution is a wonderfully-directed, by-the-numbers courtroom drama based on an Agatha Christie play. The story doesn't tread too much new ground but Charles Laughtron keeps the show going magnificently and more than makes up for it. Between this and Night of the Hunter he's my new favorite underrated actor. The chemistry between him and his real-life wife Elsa Lanchester as his buzzkill nurse is gold and Jesus, was Marlene Dietrich great! And as far as the musical number, can anyone say Blazing Saddles? The feeling that something isn't quite right tips you off to an impending twist but it winds up being more like a pretzel factory.
Super Reviewer
This movie was too boring, I didn't watch it all the way through.
Super Reviewer
Witness for the Prosecution Quotes
| Miss Plimsoll: | Sir Wilfrid. You've forgotten your brandy. (nurse Plimsoll knew her patient Wilfrid had alcohol in his thermos.) |
| Miss Plimsoll: | Sir Wilfrid. You've forgotten your brandy. [nurse Plimsoll knew her patient Wilfrid had alcohol in his thermos] |