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Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Una O'Connor ... see more see more... , Henry Daniell , Ian Wolfe , Torin Thatcher , John Williams (II) , Francis Compton , Norma Varden , Philip Tonge , Ruta Lee , Molly Roden , Ottola Nesmith , Marjorie Eaton , J. Pat O'Malley

Having just recovered from a heart attack, fabled British barrister Sir Wilfred Robards (Charles Laughton) has been ordered by his doctor to give up everything he holds dear-brandy, cigars and especia... read more read more...lly courtroom cases. Robards' already shaky resolve to follow doctor's orders flies out the window when he takes up the defense of Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), a personable young man accused of murdering a rich old widow. The case becomes something of a sticky wicket when Vole's "loving" German wife Christine (Marlene Dietrich) announces that she's not legally married to Robards' client-and she fully intends to appear as a witness for the prosecution! At the close of this film, a narrator implores the audience not to divulge the ending; we will herein honor that request. A delicious Billy Wilder mixture of humor, intrigue and melodrama, Witness for the Prosecution is distinguished by its hand-picked supporting cast: John Williams as the police inspector, Henry Daniell as Robards' law partner, Una O'Connor as the murder victim's stone-deaf maid, Torin Thatcher as the prosecutor, Ruta Lee as a sobbing courtroom spectator, and Charles Laughton's wife Elsa Lanchester as Robards' ever-chipper nurse (a role especially written for the film, so that Lanchester could look after Laughton on the set). And keep an eye out for that uncredited actress playing the vengeful-and pivotal-cockney. Adapted by Wilder, Harry Kurnitz and Larry Marcus from the play by Agatha Christie, Witness for the Prosecution was remade for television in 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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93% liked it

7,484 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

25 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Billy Wilder

Release Date: December 1, 1957

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DVD Release Date: December 11, 2001

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Stats: 659 reviews

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Elsa Lanchester in Witness for the Prosecution Charles Laughton & Elsa Lanchester in Witness for the Prosecution Barry Levinson - Rain Man Witness for the Prosecution Charles Laughton, Henry Daniell and Tyrone Power Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution Elsa Lanchester & Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution Elsa Lanchester in Witness for the Prosecution Elsa Lanchester & Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution
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Flixster Reviews (659)

  • mjgildea
    February 10, 2011
    mjgildea
    Witness for the Prosecution is a wonderfully-directed, by-the-numbers courtroom drama based on an Agatha Christie play. The story doesn't tread too much new ground but Charles Laughtron keeps the show going magnificently and more than makes up for it. Between this and Night of th... read moree Hunter he's my new favorite underrated actor. The chemistry between him and his real-life wife Elsa Lanchester as his buzzkill nurse is gold and Jesus, was Marlene Dietrich great! And as far as the musical number, can anyone say Blazing Saddles? The feeling that something isn't quite right tips you off to an impending twist but it winds up being more like a pretzel factory.
  • ajv2688
    November 17, 2010
    ajv2688
    This movie was too boring, I didn't watch it all the way through.
  • kiriyamakazou
    October 22, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    One of those films that shows how truly incredible films transcend time and place. Witness for the Prosecution had me gripped, more than any recent film has, or even tried to. Based on a play, the film is quite the talker, but every line of dialogue can only belong to the specifi... read morec character saying those lines. It's a great character piece, with dazzling bouts of verbal fisticuffs and procedural moments of tension. The performances are so strong, so different, and yet, play seamlessly off one another. The film ends with a request, not to divulge the secret ending. Out of admirable respect for this film, I shan't. However, I enjoyed, and was surprised by every turn.
  • Redlats
    May 2, 2009
    Redlats
    Whodunits are always interesting. A high-profile lawyer (Sir Wilfred Robarts) defends his client in court, but the client's wife provides some damning evidence. The court case gets resolved, but Sir Wilfred isn't happy as it seems too pat.

    What I found interesting is that this... read more movie was nominated for six Academy awards in 1957. Although it didn't win any of them, I was amazed it was considered Academy Award quality. I don't think it would be nominated today.
  • webalina
    June 30, 2007
    webalina
    Great movie with an ending I never saw coming. Charles Laughton is always good, but Tyrone Power stood out for me as well.
  • jennifxu
    May 27, 2007
    jennifxu
    agatha christie is a tricky little devil and makes this twist-within-a-twist movie that is absolutely unforgettable.
  • hypathio7
    April 15, 2009
    hypathio7
    Really good twists (plural) at the end! Laughton, who I have liked from a couple other performances in the '30s, plays an English Barrister. He's recovering from a heart attach and any extreme emotional stress could jeopardize his health again. This is the first film in which ... read moreI've seen Power or Dietrich appear. I wasn't too impressed by either early in the story, but when I saw the surprises at the end, I had a whole new appreciation for the way they played their roles. There's a strong case against suspect Power for the murder of a wealthy older woman. Some flashbacks reveal his side of the story, but you don't get to know the victim very well. Power's wife Dietrich is puzzling in the way she reacts to the news of her husband being accused, in the way she interacts with Laughton, and in the way she becomes a witness for the prosecution against her husband. Power is very charming, especially with the ladies, and has no trouble eliciting sympathy from the public. But the story is really about the true mystery of this guy's innocence or guilt.
  • staindslaved
    February 27, 2012
    staindslaved
    A famous play given the big Hollywood treatment and masterfully crafted by one of cinemas greatest legends. In case you didn't know by now any Billy Wilder film is good enough to own on DVD let alone simply watch. The film is a courtroom drama about a seemingly innocent man who... read more has financially benefited from an older ladyfriends murder. His only alibi is his unlikeable German wife whose allegiances towards her husband are under question. Despite the excellent direction and writing the film is stolen away by the great Charles Laughton who gives a performance for the ages as a bulldog defense attorney whose passion for his craft is in direct contrast to his current health. Laughton is empowering, lighthearted, commanding, cruel, selfish, charming and honest all at once. His thespian screen presence demands our attention in every scene as he powerhouses the film into an all-time classic.
  • fb1360693664
    July 4, 2011
    fb1360693664
    It's not Billy Wilder's masterpiece, and it is not as intriguing, or entertaining as most of his previous work, but the film is still flawlessly cast, and extremely well directed. The suspense is driven beautifully, and the twists keep coming up until the final shocking climax. I... read moret's the film that changed the courtroom genre for the better, and will remain a classic until proven otherwise.
  • fb20312798
    April 28, 2012
    fb20312798
    I'll sit and listen to Charles Laughton be a witty, bad tempered old curmudgeon any day. The courtroom drama is fairly standard and its built around a pretty flimsy twist but its not terrible. For Laughton and Marlene Dietrich, its worth seeing.

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
August 15, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

His theatrical mise-en-scene -- his proscenium framing -- serves the material well, as does Charles Laughton's bombastic portrayal of the defense attorney. Full Review

February 13, 2001
Variety

A courtroom meller played engagingly and building evenly to a surprising and arousing, albeit tricked-up, climax... Full Review

Bosley Crowther
January 1, 2000
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

And the air in the courtroom fairly crackles with emotional electricity, until that staggering surprise in the last reel. Full Review

David Parkinson
February 8, 2012
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

Marlene Dietrich tries not to give anything away as usual while Agatha Christie's whodunit plot whirs tidily about her expressionless beauty. Full Review

February 8, 2012
Film4

Wilder's adaptation is guilty of being absolutely marvelous. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
March 16, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

This Oscar-nominated courtroom drama represents Billy Wilder at his most theatrical and old-fashioned, but the saga is enjoyable and so is the acting of all-star cast. Full Review

Dan Jardine
January 1, 2010
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide

A slew of terrific performances help to elevate Wilder's twist-ridden courtroom drama above your standard fare in the genre. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
August 22, 2008
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Wilder plays the suspense well, but this movie belongs to Laughton, who makes his every line resonate like music and thunder. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 19, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Too much artificiality. Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

...the film's origins as an Agatha Christie novel and play, combine to give the movie a heavy -- almost stolid -- theatrical flavour. Full Review

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    • Miss Plimsoll: Sir Wilfrid. You've forgotten your brandy. [nurse Plimsoll knew her patient Wilfrid had alcohol in his thermos]
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