7 Classic Courtroom Movies
One of the more popular and versatile sub-genres, courtroom dramas combine mystery, suspense and deeply compelling character despite often being limited to few locations. With most of the action taking place inside a courtroom, these films nonetheless deliver plenty of fireworks in the form of bombastic attorneys, rousing speeches and plenty of plot twists. Here are seven examples of classic courtroom dramas.
A searing indictment of mob justice, Fritz Lang’s Fury marked the Austrian-born director’s first foray into American filmmaking and helped turn Spencer Tracy into a star. Tracy played Joe Wilson, a descent hardworking everyman falsely accused of kidnapping a child. That leads to a bloodthirsty mob that storms a jail and burns it down after the sheriff (Edward Ellis) refuses to turn over his prisoner. Presumed dead, Joe hides out with his two brothers while plotting his revenge on his would-be killers by rigging their trial in his favor, only to suffer pangs of guilt that eventually lead him to do the right thing. Despite its positive ending, Fury exposed the dark underbelly of American justice.More »
Though a flop upon release despite its low production budget, 12 Angry Men has since become the archetypal example of the courtroom drama. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film was a pet project for Henry Fonda who both starred in and produced the film, which spent most of its time inside a jury room where 12 nameless jurors argue about the guilt of a young Puerto Rican man accused of killing his father. 12 Angry Men featured an outstanding cast that included Lee J. Cobb as the antagonistic Juror #2, Jack Klugman as the young Juror #5, Ed Begley as the bigoted Juror #10 and Fonda as Juror # 8, the first to cast a dissenting not guilty vote. A classic as viewed through modern lenses, 12 Angry Men was remade into a compelling 1997 TV movie starring Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott.More »
Directed by boundary-pushing filmmaker Otto Preminger, Anatomy of a Murder was fearless in its unflinching depiction of rape. The film starred James Stewart as a hard-edged attorney who defends an Army officer (Ben Gazzara) from charges of killing an innkeeper who allegedly raped his wife (Lee Remick). Utilizing a temporary insanity plea, Stewart’s Paul Biegler does all he can to win his client’s freedom. Preminger boldly used bluntly explicit language to describe the rape in gritty detail, directly challenging Hollywood's Production Code. Preminger’s only film to be nominated for Best Picture, Anatomy of a Murder was adapted from a novel published by Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker under the pseudonym Robert Traver.More »
Loosely based on the infamous 1924 Leopold and Loeb trial, Richard Fleischer’s Compulsion was a taut and gritty courtroom thriller that featured outstanding performances from its lead cast. The film starred Bradford Dillman and Dean Stockwell as two arrogant and privileged youths who stand trial for murdering a young boy, only to haughtily aid police in finding the killers which eventually leads to their capture. Where Dillman is portrayed as domineering and sadistic, Stockewell is weak and submissive, though both are undoubtedly coldhearted. Orson Welles steps in to play their defense attorney with his usual flair, making Compulsion one of the finest courtroom drams ever put on film.More »
A dramatization of the most important and controversial trials of the 20th century, Judgment at Nuremberg focused on the question of how much responsibility one has for simply following orders. Directed by the socially conscious Stanley Kramer, the film starred Spencer Tracey as an American judge overseeing the trials of four German judges, including one played by Burt Lancaster, who colluded with the Nazis to pass sentences that led to genocide. Exploring issues of conscience, morality and personal responsibility, Judgment at Nuremberg was a powerful film that offered no easy answers as to why one of the greatest atrocities in human history ever happened. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, the film earned only two, including Best Supporting Actor for Maximilian Shell’s portrayal of a Nazi defense attorney.More »
1. ‘Fury’ – 1936
A searing indictment of mob justice, Fritz Lang’s Fury marked the Austrian-born director’s first foray into American filmmaking and helped turn Spencer Tracy into a star. Tracy played Joe Wilson, a descent hardworking everyman falsely accused of kidnapping a child. That leads to a bloodthirsty mob that storms a jail and burns it down after the sheriff (Edward Ellis) refuses to turn over his prisoner. Presumed dead, Joe hides out with his two brothers while plotting his revenge on his would-be killers by rigging their trial in his favor, only to suffer pangs of guilt that eventually lead him to do the right thing. Despite its positive ending, Fury exposed the dark underbelly of American justice.More »
2. ’12 Angry Men’ – 1957
Though a flop upon release despite its low production budget, 12 Angry Men has since become the archetypal example of the courtroom drama. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film was a pet project for Henry Fonda who both starred in and produced the film, which spent most of its time inside a jury room where 12 nameless jurors argue about the guilt of a young Puerto Rican man accused of killing his father. 12 Angry Men featured an outstanding cast that included Lee J. Cobb as the antagonistic Juror #2, Jack Klugman as the young Juror #5, Ed Begley as the bigoted Juror #10 and Fonda as Juror # 8, the first to cast a dissenting not guilty vote. A classic as viewed through modern lenses, 12 Angry Men was remade into a compelling 1997 TV movie starring Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott.More »
3. ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ – 1957
Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Witness of the Prosecution was an exemplary adaptation of Agatha Christie’s hit play and one of director Billy Wilder’s finest pictures. The film starred the great Charles Laughton as an English barrister who’s told by his doctor to abstain from the courtroom after suffering a heart attack, only to be compelled to tackle a case involving the murder of a wealthy widow (Norma Varden). The accused in question is a charming young man (Tyrone Power) whose older wife (Marlene Dietrich) provides an alibi, only to step forward and become the titular witness. Highly praised upon its release, Witness for the Prosecution underscored Wilder’s unique ability in creating great films in a wide range of genres.More »
4. ‘Anatomy of a Murder’ – 1959
Directed by boundary-pushing filmmaker Otto Preminger, Anatomy of a Murder was fearless in its unflinching depiction of rape. The film starred James Stewart as a hard-edged attorney who defends an Army officer (Ben Gazzara) from charges of killing an innkeeper who allegedly raped his wife (Lee Remick). Utilizing a temporary insanity plea, Stewart’s Paul Biegler does all he can to win his client’s freedom. Preminger boldly used bluntly explicit language to describe the rape in gritty detail, directly challenging Hollywood's Production Code. Preminger’s only film to be nominated for Best Picture, Anatomy of a Murder was adapted from a novel published by Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker under the pseudonym Robert Traver.More »
5. ‘Compulsion’ – 1959
Loosely based on the infamous 1924 Leopold and Loeb trial, Richard Fleischer’s Compulsion was a taut and gritty courtroom thriller that featured outstanding performances from its lead cast. The film starred Bradford Dillman and Dean Stockwell as two arrogant and privileged youths who stand trial for murdering a young boy, only to haughtily aid police in finding the killers which eventually leads to their capture. Where Dillman is portrayed as domineering and sadistic, Stockewell is weak and submissive, though both are undoubtedly coldhearted. Orson Welles steps in to play their defense attorney with his usual flair, making Compulsion one of the finest courtroom drams ever put on film.More »
6. ‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ – 1961
A dramatization of the most important and controversial trials of the 20th century, Judgment at Nuremberg focused on the question of how much responsibility one has for simply following orders. Directed by the socially conscious Stanley Kramer, the film starred Spencer Tracey as an American judge overseeing the trials of four German judges, including one played by Burt Lancaster, who colluded with the Nazis to pass sentences that led to genocide. Exploring issues of conscience, morality and personal responsibility, Judgment at Nuremberg was a powerful film that offered no easy answers as to why one of the greatest atrocities in human history ever happened. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, the film earned only two, including Best Supporting Actor for Maximilian Shell’s portrayal of a Nazi defense attorney.More »
7. ‘The Verdict’ – 1982
With an Oscar-worthy performance from lead actor Paul Newman, Sidney Lumet’s The Verdict was a cornerstone in the revival of courtroom dramas in the 1980s. Newman was in top form playing Frank Galvin, a washed-up alcoholic attorney who seeks both personal and professional redemption by taking on a difficult medical malpractice lawsuit. Though Frank initially tries to secure a quick settlement, an emotional trip to the hospital where he comes face to face with the comatose victim compels him to go to trial, ultimately winning both the case and a second chance for himself. Written by noted playwright David Mamet, The Verdict was a hit with critics and audiences, while earning five Academy Award nominations.More »
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