Today, I watched the 1957 classic starring Henry Fonda and Ed Begley, and directed by Sidney Lumet. (Yes Nick, I have now seen it so you can't yell at me anymore). Maybe it is because I am very interested in the legal system or maybe it is because it is just that good, but I found the movie to be absolutely extraordinary. I fear to make a claim that is too difficult to back up but this may very well be the best movie/my favorite movie. Now obviously I am very young and have not seen enough films but I believe that it is my favorite movie, so far in my life.
Once again, I am sure that alot of you have seen this film but to give a quick background, the movie centers around a jury room and a murder trial, and the deliberation of the 12 jurors. One of the incredible parts of this movie was that so much action could take place in a courtroom where in fact not much action could actually take place. The acting by all of the jurors was outstanding and the logic of the case and everything that was involved in it kept my eyes completely hooked to the screen and I really could never take my eyes off it. If anything this movie was far too short and I didn't want it to end, although I am sure that if it were longer, it would lose some of its effectiveness.
Now I know that people many times feel that they are detached from Black and White because they do not live in a black and white world but I never felt at all detached from the film and I felt that Lumet kept me completely in the film and I often felt like I was sitting in the room myself, part of the deliberations.
The movie was not perfect, but it was close in my opinion, and the cinematography, done by Boris Kaufman, who also filmed On the Waterfront ,was incredible. The decision to use certain long, continuous shots and also certain close-ups were almost always done flawlessly, with the exception of a couple. But it was truly beautifully filmed.
The entire movie from beginning to end had me hooked and locked in and I was addicted to the entire movie. Whether it was the great acting, the brilliant story, the terrific camera work, or all of the above (I lean towards that), the film was terrific.
I completely recommend this film to everyone and more than Shawshank which I just reviewed but definitely watch both of them. This movie was a near masterpiece.
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I completely agree, Jimmy. This movie contains so much despite only really having one scene. The character development is superb and is completely entralling to watch. In addition, you never know if the kid is indeed innocent or guilty which adds to it, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThis movie was friggin fantastic! I remember the day I watched this film I also watched the remake of the film Death Race, a very loud action film. However, my heart pumped more watching 12 Angry Men then I did the action movies.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite favorite favorite moment was when Fonda has pretty much convinced everybody in the room except Juror 3, Lee Cobb, and they are going over how long it would take an old man to walk 40 steps or so. Cobb, steadfast in believing the kid is guilty starts wandering around and yelling and says something like, "Well, he's an old man, he's probably delirious, how can you believe ANYTHING he says!?". Then there's a pause as he hears his own words and everybody stares at him. It gave me chills because it was so perfect.
Another part that I loved was the fan in the room. It was the hottest day of the year, and the fan in the room didn't work. But just as the vote gets to 6-6, they figure out how to turn the fan on, bringing them some relief from the temperature. It's as if some higher power finally brought them some relief as they began to do what was right.
So much more to talk about, but I'll leave it there. I'm glad you liked it buddy!
Yes, absolutely, those are great scenes and I mean the entire film is just perfect. We never truly know whether or not the kid is innocent, and in fact we never find out the names of any of the jurors except Fonda and the old man at the end, but it is incredible how these people interact and develop and all we know about them is their jury number.
ReplyDeleteI could have added much more to my post but than I would not have done justice to the points I didn't make and the post would be a book. Another element that was great, was like Nick said when Cobb finally realizes what he said, but in fact how Fonda is able to convince everybody, one at a time, not that the kid is innocent but that there is a doubt.
I could watch these movie over and over again and still get the same thrill!
It was just remade in Poland, I think. You might look into it. Hard to imagine a better version, though. My favorite part is when Jack Warden gets dressed down by the immigrant for placing greater importance on his Yankee tickets than the fate of the defendant. Almost every actor went on to enjoy full careers, if not stardom. Warden, Lee J. Cobb, EJ Marshall, John Fiedler, Jack Klugman, Martin Balsam, along with Fonda, of course.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've seen that movie a hundred times. And there's just no way to resist it. It will simply silence a room and draw everyone in to the drama. It happened again just the other day.