Amazon.com essential video: Sidney Lumet's directorial debut remains a tense, atmospheric (though slightly manipulative and stagy) courtroom thriller, in which the viewer never sees a trial and the only action is verbal. As he does in his later corruption commentaries such as Serpico or Q & A, Lumet focuses on the lonely one-man battles of a protagonist whose ethics alienate him from the rest of jaded society. As the film opens, the seemingly open-and-shut trial of a young Puerto Rican accused of murdering his father with a knife has just concluded and the 12-man jury retires to their microscopic, sweltering quarters to decide the verdict. When the votes are counted, 11 men rule guilty, while one--played by Henry Fonda, again typecast as another liberal, truth-seeking hero--doubts the obvious. Stressing the idea of "reasonable doubt," Fonda slowly chips away at the jury, who represent a microcosm of white, male society--exposing the prejudices and preconceptions that directly influence the other jurors' snap judgments. The tight script by Reginald Rose (based on his own teleplay) presents each juror vividly using detailed soliloquies, all which are expertly performed by the film's flawless cast. Still, it's Lumet's claustrophobic direction--all sweaty close-ups and cramped compositions within a one-room setting--that really transforms this contrived story into an explosive and compelling nail-biter. --Dave McCoy
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A masterful assembly of actors
This is a great film with (in my opinion) the most brilliant collection of actors ever assembled.
All but 3 minutes of this film takes place in the confines of the small jury deliberation room. The 12 white men of the jury retire to the room after the close of a murder trial. The verdict is a shoe-in because as far as the foreman and jury members are concerned the young man on trial (who appears to be Hispanic or Italian) is obviously guilty. But wait - while the foreman goes through the mere formality of taking the men's votes everyone is shocked to hear one man dare to vote ... Read More
Rating: - Fonda and the gang deliver flawlessly
In the thrilling drama 12 Angry Men, a young man has been accused of murder and his fate rests in the hands of the twelve jurors chosen to oversee the trial. The young man's lawyer doesn't seem to care about his guilt or innocence. The evidence seems condemning in the extreme. There does not seem to be any reason that the jury should be more than a few minutes in deciding his guilt and then...off to the electric chair he will go. Then one juror (Fonda) has the courage to voice his doubts about the case and the evidence presented. Standing firm against all opposition he exposes the faults in the ... Read More
Rating: - Enjoyable
There are so many versions of this movie that I figured that I'd start with the original-and I'm glad that I did. For it's time, I think this was probably a very gutsy movie. Strong performances and script. I can see why this has earned its classic status.
Rating: - BEST COURTROOM DRAMA
What a great movie
a treasure, no doubt about it
12 men with many differences discussing the fate of a 12 year old boy in a jury room.
if you like good cinema, spend 10$ in this treasure, you won't regret it
Rating: - One of the Best!
This is truly one of the all-time best movies featuring classic stars and a compelling plot. I use it for teaching argumentative writing and usually convert a few of my (college) students to this genre when they first view it. Excellent acting notwithstanding, the B/W adds to the intensity of the plot and serves to further showcase the characters. The "extra" footage and commentary are bonuses w/ this tribute edition.
- 