Witness for the Prosecution

1957, Mystery & thriller/Crime, 1h 54m

34 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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Witness for the Prosecution Photos

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Movie Info

The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.

Cast & Crew

Tyrone Power
Leonard Stephen Vole
Marlene Dietrich
Christine Helm Vole
Charles Laughton
Sir Wilfrid Robarts
Elsa Lanchester
Miss Plimsoll
John Williams
Mr. Brogan-Moore
Henry Daniell
Mr. Mayhew
Ian Wolfe
Mr. Carter
Una O'Connor
Janet McKenzie
Torin Thatcher
Mr. Myers
Francis Compton
Judge
Norma Varden
Emily French
Philip Tonge
Inspector Hearne
Ruta Lee
Diana
Ottola Nesmith
Miss Johnson (uncredited)
Marjorie Eaton
Miss O'Brien (uncredited)
J. Pat O'Malley
Shorts salesman (uncredited)
Billy Wilder
Director
Agatha Christie
Writer
Lawrence B. Marcus
Writer
Billy Wilder
Writer
Harry Kurnitz
Writer
Edward Small
Executive Producer
Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Producer
Matty Malneck
Original Music
Russell Harlan
Cinematography
Daniel Mandell
Film Editing
Alexandre Trauner
Art Director
Howard Bristol
Set Decoration
Edith Head
Costume Design
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Critic Reviews for Witness for the Prosecution

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (34)
Full Review… Noel Murray The Dissolve Full Review… David Parkinson Empire Magazine Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Full Review… Kevin Maher Times (UK) Full Review… Nell Minow Movie Mom Full Review… Bosley Crowther New York Times Full Review… Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media Full Review… Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Full Review… Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Full Review… Rob Aldam Backseat Mafia Full Review… Martyn Conterio CineVue Full Review… Isabel Quigly The Spectator
View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for Witness for the Prosecution

  • Sep 06, 2016
    Excellent courtroom drama. Another awesome classic.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • May 29, 2014
    Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich are thoroughly entertaining in this romp through Agatha Christie's work. A lesson to be learned for more modern court room dramas.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 23, 2014
    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.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 24, 2013
    The reason so many plays have been turned into movies is simple: the work has been pre-tested and approved in front of live audiences, tweaked and re-tweaked. And it's easy to see the payoff for that preliminary process here where each character and their work is full and complete. Billy Wilder directs and co-wrote, adapted from the play. Charles Laughton, Elsa Lancaster, Dietrich, Power, the whole cast does a first rate job in this wonder of entertaining misdirection. Superb.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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