12 Angry Men
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Movie Reviews of 12 Angry Men
Movie Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
After seeing this film for the first time in a government class several years ago, I thought this could very well be one of the greatest films I had ever seen. And after watching this classic many times after that, I know realize exactly how brilliant this film is.
For a director to make his debut into Hollywood, Sidney Lumet sure made a huge splash with this masterpiece. The concept of 12 jurors in a courtroom for the entire film, without any of them knowing each other at all at the beginning of the film, makes this movie worthwhile. The character advancement throughout this film is perhaps what makes it so interesting. Also, the variety of the characters involved makes for a truly remarkable viewing experience.
The main concept deals with the trial of a boy who has been charged with first-degree murder. The jurors must decide the boy's fate, knowing that if he is accused, he will face a death sentence which will send him to the electric chair. For 11 of the jurors, the verdict seems simple. Guilty as charged. But for the other juror, played by Henry Fonda, he feels that there is still a possibility the boy is innocent.
As the movie progresses, the facts are laid out on the table so to speak. But also the possibilities are explored, leading to a jury divided. The growing unity of the characters throughout this film is once again, true brilliance. This script could not have been written any better than it was.
All in all, this is a film that someone of any age can enjoy. The story hooks you from beginning to end, and the characters are ones that many people can relate to. This is a must-watch for any film fan or someone just wanting to catch a great movie. Henry Fonda's performance is nothing short of excellent, and makes this a truly great film.
Movie Review: Perhaps the best film of all times
Summary: 5 Stars
At a time when Hollywood was producing giant epics with fantastic sets and "casts of thousands" there stands a monument to the essentials of great drama and film making. This film is perhaps the antithesis of its contemporaries. Like its main character and protagonist, it stands in quiet defiance against the multi-million dollar productions that have faded from memory. It was filmed in black and white at a time when color film was standard. There are three simple sets with one very long major scene taking place in one room. No casts of thousands. The only special effect is a little late afternoon shower that serves to ease a midpoint climax and help transition the various tensions to resolution. There is no great musical score either - no great soundtrack. One very plain jury room, twelve men, a hot day in July, no air conditioning, and more drama and tension than any film I have ever seen. You literally get sucked into the jury room even on a small screen TV. It is a pure masterpiece.
I have watched this film dozens of times and I find something new each time. Even though I know the outcome, the suspense and emotional tension never fade. The acting is outstanding. Each actor was superb and well chosen for the role played. Each actor not only created a memorable character but portrayed, in classic Greco-Roman tradition, a moral-ethical standard.
Twelve angry men is what is advertised and is what you get. Experience this great film and see that it out-shadows even today's productions. It is a must for anyone who loves drama and appreciates fine film.
PS. I must confess - I find this film so enthralling that whenever I come across it while "channel surfing" I watch it. This despite the fact that I own a video and DVD. Its that good.
Movie Review: A classic like no other
Summary: 5 Stars
Twelve Angry Men is director Sidney Lumet's directorial debut, and what a debut it is. After a trial of a teenage boy accused of murdering his father is completed, the case is handed over to the jury to decide if the boy is innocent or guilty. All of the jury members think he is guilty except one, Juror #8. Can he convince the other jury members that maybe this boy is innocent even though all the evidence points to his guilt? This movie is almost completely different from any other movie of the 60's or now in 2005. The whole movie takes place in a hot, smoky room as the jury debates the boy's guilt. Besides for a brief intro and outro, the whole movie is in one room. What makes this possible is the tight, snappy dialogue throughout the movie. For a movie that could have been deathly slow, the dialogue and cinematography gives it a breakneck speed as the jury argues back and forth. Classic movie and highly recommended.
Henry Fonda stars as Juror #8, the one jury member who believes the teenage boy may be innocent of the crime he's accused of. It is a pleasure to watch Fonda slowly convince the rest of the jury about the idea of "reasonable doubt." The excellent ensemble cast that makes up the other 11 members of the jury are EG Marshall, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, Ed Begley, Martin Balsam, Joseph Sweeney, Robert Webber, John Fiedler, Jack Klugman, Ed Binns, and George Voskevec. The viewer knows little to nothing about these men, but by the end of the movie, you feel you have really gotten to know who these men are. The bare-bones DVD offers a theatrical trailer and widescreen presentation, but don't let the lack of extras scare you away. For a true classic like no other with a great ensemble cast, especially Henry Fonda, check out 12 Angry Men!
Movie Review: There aren't enough superlative adjectives...
Summary: 5 Stars
The terms "great" and "classic" have become redundant in "viewers reviews," but what can a person do when confronted with such a marvelous film as "12 Angry Men."I've seen this film dozens of times while working on an elaborate viewing guide for use in senior high school theater arts and social studies classes.
Since I didn't have a VHS copy in my collection, I jumped at the chance of purchasing the newly released DVD version. As expected this film is beauifully restored and presented on DVD.
For those unfamiliar with this play, they should be alerted to the "fact" that virtually every single speech in this drama is of critical importance and lasting meaning, making this one of the most significant films ever produced.
The closeups of sweaty faces magnify the intensity and bitterness. Lee J. Cobb gives what must be the best performance of his great career.
Why this film didn't win a number of Oscars will always remain a mystery.
Fonda deserves special mention for his role in producing the film.
Why "Showtime" went to all the trouble to remake this splendid classic is also a mystery. I think the 1957 film, it's theme, performances, etc. remain as fresh, alive, and pertinent today as they were in the late 1950s.
The film should be required viewing in "all" civic classes, high school and college. The DVD version would make replaying various scenes easy, encouraging indepth examination of the various issues confronted in the film.
C-SPAN should (could) build a three-hour special around "12 Angry Men," with law professors and students discussing the film and the role of juries in our justice system.
I extend my thanks to those responsible for issuing the DVD.
Movie Review: This is My Old Standby!
Summary: 5 Stars
For some reason or other, this is a DVD that I keep forgetting to review. Well, now I'm here to review it so as to give it a five star rating and to tell you that this is unlike any 'courtroom drama' film you've ever seen before. IF you can believe it, the movie (except for the very beginning and end) takes place and was shot in one room. The plot: a realtime jury deliberation for a murder trial where the one man out of 12 who votes 'not guilty' faces that burden of convincing the others that despite how the evidence appears, he is right.
There are a few things that make this film unique (besides the said plot, which is as fascinating on the tenth viewing as it is the first). The cast does a truly marvellous ensemble job as every one of the 12 jurors has their own ideosyncracies and moments that form a brilliant tapestry of emotion and suspense. The direction is perfectly suited for the 'small room' feel. That is, the shots are quite long - panning left, panning right, but staying on the same angle for minutes at a time. The script is also well done, letting each of the 12 personalities collide as we watch them switching their votes back and forth with each new revelation.
A film like this really wouldn't make it today (and there was a modern adaptation a few years ago that despite being good, predictably flopped). Why? The plot is small by today's standards (2 hours of jury deliberation). There are only twelve characters and as for scenery, there is...one room. But that's part of what makes the film so super. The smaller the stage, the bigger the play. I suppose it is 'common wisdom' that successfull films in the '00s need big money, plots, and settings. That's why these twelve angry men are a breath of fresh air. Enjoy!