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Witness For the Prosecution [1957] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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|  | I'm not usually one for courtroom dramas-but this 1957 movie is different. What makes it so different are the stars involved- Charles Laughton is superb as the London barrister defending Tyrone Power of murdering a wealthy widow-Marlene Dietrich is Power's treacherous wife -Elsa Lanchester is Laughton's nagging nurse- Una O'Connor is also superb as the murdered woman's maid- Laughton real wife Lanchester were nominated for oscars for this movie. After the verdict is announced there is a superb twist in the final 5 minutes of the movie.
| | A highly skilled and professional movie, with four highly skilled and amusing performances | |
| | "I'll snatch her thermometer," snarls the aging, portly, brilliant, irascible London barrister Sir Wilfred Robarts, just back in his office after spending time in a hospital recovering from a heart attack, "and plunge it between her shoulder blades!" br /br /In Witness for the Prosecution, based on an Agatha Christie story and popular stage play, Sir Wilfred (Charles Laughton) is referring to his personal nurse and attendant, the chirpy and determined Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester). Sir Wilfred has strict instructions to give up everything he holds dearest, namely brandy, cigars and the excitement of criminal defense cases. Nurse Plimsoll is there to see that he does, as well as to give him his injections, make sure he swallows his pills and tuck him in for his afternoon naps. And in an effort to sneak a cigar that first day back in his office, Sir Wilfred finds himself intrigued by the case of Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power). Vole is a charming, too charming, man whom we don't quite trust. He has been charged with murdering a rich, silly woman...who coincidentally changed her will in Vole's favor a week before her death. Vole stands to become a very wealthy man. There's means, motive and opportunity, and for Sir Wildred, there is a challenge. Vole swears he's innocent but his story is not altogether plausible, His only hope, and a shaky one it is, is the testimony of his German wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich). She has supplied an alibi, which cannot be verified, but at least she cannot be forced to testify against her husband. Then, when the marriage is found to be invalid, who should decide to become a witness for he prosecution? Sir Wilfred is mortified but even more determined to save his client. br /br /The case, full of startling twists, legal shenanigans, first-rate performances and vivid characters, ends with a typically Agatha Christie surprise. Some argue that Christie perhaps was weak as a writer, but peerless as a storyteller, able to construct mystery plot puzzles that consistently stumped her readers until the last chapter. With Billy Wilder directing and Wilder and Harry Kurnitz, an old pro, providing the screenplay, Christie once again gives a surprise twist that leaves us open-mouthed yet smiling at her cleverness. Thanks to Wilder and Kurnitz, we also have a conclusion that involves Sir Wilfred and Nurse Plimsoll that is immensely satisfying. If only there had been a sequel.br /br /The four leads do marvelous jobs. In away, the movie is about two relationships, not just one. There is the relationship between Vole and his wife. They met when Vole was a sergeant stationed in Germany right after WWII. He met Christine when she was earning money entertaining in a dive for soldiers. We see some of this in flashback. With Vole's opportunistic charm and Christine's cool manner, it's difficult to determine who, if either of them, is using whom, or to what degree love enters the picture. Christine's first etrance is memorable. Says Sir Wilfred to a group of fellows awaiting Mrs. Vole, "Be prepared for hysterics and even a fainting spell. Better have smelling salts handy and a nip of brandy." Then in walks Marlene Dietrich as Cristine Vole, with perfect assurance. "I do not think that will be necessary," she says to Sir Wilfred. "I never faint because I am not sure that I will fall gracefully and I never use smelling salts because they puff up the eyes. I am Christine Vole."br /br /While Sir Wilfred's relationship to Nurse Plimsoll provides the acerbic and mutually bullying comic relief for the movie, the two actors, married in real life, manage to develop a touching dependence. It's not just a smile they give as at the end, but also a modest lump in the throat.br /br /And personally, I was delighted to see Henry Daniell in a substantial secondary role. He plays Mayhew, the solicitor who brings Vole to Sir Wilfred. Daniell could look like he was sneering with disdain even if he was just admiring the view. He played some wonderfully upper-class cads and villains in a lot of so-so movies. He also was a first-rate actor, who, given the chance, could also play serious, concerned men, the kind you wouldn't mind having for a friend. He does a fine job here.br /br /The movie, filmed in black and white, looks very good in the DVD transfer. There are no extras to speak of.
| | | Quite why Billy Wilder directed this film version of Agatha Christie's celebrated courtroom drama is beyond me .Nice pacing and some slick camerawork together with Laughton and Dietrich doing some of their best later work cannot compensate for such routine plotting.The "twist" ending is just laughable, implausabilities abound and character motivations are hopelessly muddled. A "classic" it may have been but not any more.In the same year Sidney Lumet directed 12 Angry Men a film that justifiably holds it's own as an American classic .
| | | Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton), Barrister is returning to work prematurely from hospital for a heart condition. He is accompanied by fussy Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester) Nurse.pSir Wilfred promised not to take on any strenuous case. However in exchange for a chance to pilfer a forbidden cigar he soon gets intriguingly involved in a murder case. You can tell that Leonard Stephen Vole is being actively accused of murder based on circumstantial evidence. Sr. Wilfred after giving charismatic Leonard the eye-glass test is sure that he is innocent and knows if he does not take an active part in the trial that Leonard is doomed. To make matters worse Leonard?s wife Christine Helm Vole (Marlene Dietrich), his only alibi, is some sort of cool character and looks suspicious her self.pWill Sir Wilfred take on the case? And if so will he die trying?brWhat is Christine?s secret?brHow will it turn out in the end?pThis film is well played and will keep you on the edge of your seat. You will be like the jury going vacillating over his innocence and the outcome of the trial. Do not let Leonard?s story distract you from the bantering and budding affair between Sir Wilfred and Nurse Plimsoll.
| | Nothing short of a triumph! | |
| | Sir Wilfrid Robarts (played by Charles Laughton) is renown as one of the greatest barristers in England, but his failing health has placed him at the mercy of doctors, and in the clutches of an overbearing nurse (Elsa Lancaster). However, when he is introduced to Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), an innocent man on his way to the gallows, Sir Wilfrid decides to risk his health and use his jurisprudential skills to save Vole. A wrinkle in the case is Vole's surprisingly harsh wife (Marlene Dietrich), but fortunately a wife can never be used as a witness for the prosecution. [Black-and-white, released in 1957, with a running time of 1:56.]pThis movie is based on Agatha Christie's 1933 book with the same title, and is nothing short of a triumph! The three main actors of the movie (Laughton, Power and Dietrich) put on a wonderful performance, making this movie gripping from start to finish. Plus, as a fan of John Mortimer's Rumpole of the Bailey books, I must say that I liked the setting. (I do believe that any Rumpole fan will also adore this movie.)pSo, if you are interested in courtroom drama, classic movies and great acting, and want a movie that is all three, then you must get this DVD!
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