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Al Pacino, Jack Warden, John Forsythe, Lee Strasberg, Christine Lahti ... see more see more... , Jeffrey Tambor , Sam Levene , Robert Christian , Thomas G. Waites , Larry Bryggman , Craig T. Nelson , Dominic Chianese , Victor Arnold , Keith Andes , Vincent Beck , Michael Gorrin , Baxter Harris , Joe Morton , Alan North , Thomas Quinn , Beverly Sanders , Connie Sawyer , Charles Siebert , Robert Symonds , Vasili Bogazianos , Jack Hollander

Norman Jewison's blackly satirical look at the American justice system has gained in stature as one of the more incisive social commentaries of its time. Al Pacino plays Arthur Kirkland, an incorrupti... read more read more...ble attorney who attempts to initiate reforms in the Maryland justice system. Kirkland is haunted by the fates of two past clients, one of whom committed suicide in jail; the other is still alive but is locked up on a trumped-up traffic violation. The ability of power and money to distort the pursuit of justice becomes all too clear as Kirkland finds out how deeply the rot has spread. He finally retaliates by representing a repulsive judge (John Forsythe) accused of rape. Pacino's and Forsythe's performances are intense and powerful. Many critics found the film biting and almost painful in its razor-sharp indictment of the justice system, while others declared the script too outrageous. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

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77% liked it

17,816 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

19 critics

R, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Norman Jewison

Release Date: January 1, 1979

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DVD Release Date: January 16, 2001

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Stats: 636 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (636)

  • fb619846742
    July 1, 2011
    fb619846742
    An over-rated legal drama centering on one lawyer's (Al Pacino) desire to take-down the legal system that is so corrupt. While this movie features a heck of a turn from Pacino (but this is always expected), as well as a phenomenal performance by the vastly under-rated Jeffrey Tam... read morebor, this film is convoluted to the max. There is just frankly way to much stuff going on packed in to a two-hour slot, topped off with an overdone Pacino speech near its conclusion that feels forced and something totally expected in a Hollywood crowd-pleasing script. A pretty bad film, and one that should have dropped one of its many side-plots and focused on only two or three of them, that way the dramatic punch it tries to swing at its conclusion would have had more weight to it.
  • SirPant
    September 7, 2009
    SirPant
    This is a great film, often copyed from its still relatively unknown and very underrated. The acting is of the finest quality. Brilliant.
  • sononothing
    March 3, 2009
    sononothing
    Al Pacino (along with Robert DeNiro) was probably the greatest actor of the 1970's. Long before he became the yelling guy that found his start in Scarface and was awarded for his noise in Scent of a Woman, Pacino was an actor's actor. He ended his reign in the 1970's with ... And... read more Justice For All, a courtroom drama that wasn't a very stellar story but overcame its problems with great acting and direction.

    Arthur Kirkland (Pacino) is an idealistic defense attorney that tends to grate against the established legal hierarchy in Baltimore. He soon finds himself juggling two cases where the defendants don't really belong in jail, a suicidal judge (jack Warden), a girlfriend (Christine Lahti) who is investigating ethics issues in the courts, and the judge (John Forsythe) he hates who asks him to defend him in a rape trial. That's a ton of stuff to juggle and as the movie progresses Arthur becomes more and more disgusted by the way the law has turned into a car lot mentality. "Let's make a deal! Let's make a deal!"

    The story is just so-so. There are points that feel like pure manipulation and predictability is the standard. The thing about this film is that when you dissect it into its acting and directing you get more than what the total film really is. The acting from all levels is superb with that young Pacino leading the way. he was still a king in 1979. Jewison directs the film in a way that leaves room for comedy and a little bit of tension. He makes a bland story interesting.

    ... And Justice For All has been shafted for years as some of Pacino's lesser work, but when you look at it from a technical standpoint and forget about the many flaws of the script you see what a precision picture this film really is. A '70's classic that closed the decade with class.
  • aliceinpunderland
    March 23, 2008
    aliceinpunderland
    Wow Pacino. Wow. He makes even mundane actions like sitting on a park bench and moving his legs to make way for a line of joggers look inspired. Could've done without all the Christine Lahti scenes. I'M OUT OF ORDER?! YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER!!
  • allan913
    January 19, 2008
    allan913
    An electrifying and stunning court-room drama. Al Pacino give a brilliant and extroadiary performance. Dirctor, Neil Jordans masterpiece.
  • webalina
    May 2, 2007
    webalina
    First fell for Pacino in this film, and have loved him ever since.
  • mjgildea
    November 5, 2006
    mjgildea
    Overblown, overrated and horribly dated.
  • fb100000419365569
    April 16, 2011
    fb100000419365569
    It's extremely misguided; There's about 7 subplots and none of them ever get fully developed. While it's not focused, it does have an ambition. It wants you to take a look at the psychiatric aspects. It wants you to fully realize how messed up living that life can be. Every chara... read morecter hits their breaking point. The ambition is there, but the execution is heavily lacking.
  • ashleymh007
    July 30, 2007
    ashleymh007
    This was one of Pacino's best. A lawyer torn between ethics and his job,which alot of times do not coincide. He borders on comedic at times in this movie,but its great.Story is great,acting wonderful.
  • michaelcorleone
    November 26, 2006
    michaelcorleone
    The movie is good, but Al Pacino is great. There's definitely a cheesy '70s vibe here, but it's more than redeemed by Pacino's electrifying performance and incredible presence.

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Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca
July 24, 2010
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Pacino alternando com fluidez entre momentos intensos e outros de introspecção, um roteiro bem construído e um clímax inesquecível.

Christopher Null
March 21, 2008
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

years after watching it you'll have no idea what the central trial was all about... but you'll certainly remember that, whatever it was, it was out of order! Full Review

Peter Canavese
March 9, 2008
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

Pacino at the top of his game...[but] the film's lack of faith in its audience is glaringly apparent. [DVD review]

Emanuel Levy
March 1, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Al Pacino gives a dominant performance as a lawyer whose morals are compromised, but director Norman Jewison can't find the right balance between the critical and satirical elements of the legal system. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
July 23, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Entertaining, with a vintage Pacino performance that only occasionally lapses into grandstanding. Full Review

Steve Crum
October 23, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Courtroom hijinks still bites, Pacino tops

Brian Webster
September 14, 2002
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide

Makes its point with sledgehammer-like strength. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Pacino is a force of nature in this truly entertaining comedy - drama - courtroom procedural.

Vincent Canby
July 25, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Judge Rayford: I discovered the meaning of life...
    • Arthur Kirkland: Which is?
    • Judge Rayford: It sucks Arthur, It really sucks!
    • Arthur Kirkland: Being honest doesn't have much to do with being a lawyer, Grandpa.
    • Arthur Kirkland: They Just People..... God Damn It.... God Damn It.... God Damn It.
    • Arthur Kirkland: You're out of order! You're out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They're out of order!
    • Arthur Kirkland: The TRUTH? You can't handle the truth!
    • Arthur Kirkland: Truth? You wouldn't know the truth!
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...And Justice For All Trivia

  • What movie had a tagline that said "For the good of all men, and the love of one woman, he fought to uphold justice by breaking the law"?  Answer »
  • Name the actor that appeared in Any Given Sunday, Author! Author, ...And Justice for all.  Answer »
  • who is the actor that is in all these movies?? Out for justice, submerged, exit wounds, half past dead and fire down below....  Answer »
  • In what movie did Al Pacino NOT have a gun?  Answer »
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