JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton12 Angry Men (1957) - Footage Included
February 12th 2007 00:00
12 Angry Men
Director:Sidney Lumet
Writer:Reginald Rose
Starring:Henry Fonda, Lee J Cobb, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, E G Marshall, John Fielder, Ed Begley, Ed Binns, Robert Webber
“Don't give me that. I'm sick and tired of facts! You can twist 'em anyway you like, you know what I mean?” – Juror #10
The justice system is put on trial in this engrossing, provocative and powerful courtroom drama. Taking place almost exclusively within the four walls of the jury room, this one time stage play delves deep into the inner mechanisms of what motivates the 12 men of a Jury.
It’s a hot day inside the halls of justice, an 18 year old boy from the slums is on trial. The defence and prosecution have made their case, the lawyers and witnesses have all spoken their piece and now it is time for the deliberation.
On the surface it appears like an open and shut case, at least that’s the way 11 of the 12 Men see the it after listening all the evidence that came out during the trial.
“Well, what's there to talk about? Eleven men in here think he's guilty. No one had to think about it twice except you.” – Juror #7
All from very different walks of life, juror #8 (Henry Fonda) isn’t convinced and with a guilty verdict carrying the weight of the death sentence, he feels it’s worth re-examining the facts one more time before passing judgement.
“Look, there was one alleged eye witness to this killing. Someone else claims he heard the killing, saw the boy run out afterwards and there was a lot of circumstantial evidence. But actually, those two witnesses were the entire case for the prosecution. Supposing they're wrong?” – Juror #8
Through logical deduction and speculation, sorting through the circumstantial evidence and heresay to find semblance of a tangible truth. Brought out under cross examination, the cracks begin to show. Demanding proof, each member’s beliefs expose their personal prejudices.
“I don't understand you people! I mean all these picky little points you keep bringing up. They don't mean nothing. You saw this kid just like I did. You're not gonna tell me you believe that phony story about losing the knife, and that business about being at the movies. Look, you know how these people lie! It's born in them! I mean what the heck? I don't have to tell you. They don't know what the truth is! And lemme tell you, they don't need any real big reason to kill someone, either! No sir!” – Juror # 10
Certain characters demons represent a stubborn, close minded culture that is unwilling to assess situations with a sense of perspective and make decisions based on their own arrogant point of view. (Encouraged when debating film, but not when a life lies in the balance)
“Well, I'm not used to supposin'. I'm just a workin' man. My boss does all the supposin' - but I'll try one. Supposin' you talk us all out of this and, uh, the kid really did knife his father?” – Juror #6
Other jurors follow blindly, not thinking for themselves, others would rather be somewhere else or are so detached, lacking empathy that they refuse to bend for fear of having to examine there own world views.
“Beyond a reasonable doubt”, these words are the cornerstone themes. Hindered by the folly of human subjectivity and blindsiding the ability to make an objective decision. The rub is that according to the rules of the game, even if a man is guilty, if the evidence doesn’t back it up then you must let a murderer go free.
“Nobody has to prove otherwise. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. The defendant doesn't even have to open his mouth. That's in the Constitution.” –Juror #8
There are two sides to every story, the truth is in the eye of the beholder. They may seem like old worn out clichés, but as this human drama unfolds it is very clear that they are relevant to any time and any place.
“It's always difficult to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this. And wherever you run into it, prejudice always obscures the truth. I don't really know what the truth is. I don't suppose anybody will ever really know. Nine of us now seem to feel that the defendant is innocent, but we're just gambling on probabilities - we may be wrong. We may be trying to let a guilty man go free, I don't know. Nobody really can. But we have a reasonable doubt, and that's something that's very valuable in our system. No jury can declare a man guilty unless it's SURE. We nine can't understand how you three are still so sure. Maybe you can tell us”. –Juror #8
John Doe says:
12 Angry Men is an important film. Tense, thoughtful, believable and superbly acted.
Analytical of the world, Director Sidney Lumet (The Hill, Network, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, the Offence, Fail-Safe) excels with material that has a relevance to the dynamics of society. Philosophical and hypothetical brain candy is sustained without sacrificing emotional content.
Achieving a documentary realism, most of the film plays out as one uninterrupted scene. There are no cutaways, feeling it all happening before our eyes is the result.
An ensemble piece, the cast are electric. 12 very different individuals that keep your attention and offer separate ideas that warrant later thought. We see some grow as they take in the process, while others shrink under the strain of their own ignorance.
Henry Fonda (Once Upon A Time In The West, The Boston Strangler, The Wrong man, Warlock, Grapes of Wrath, Ox Bow Incident) sited this as the work he is proudest of, and the part of Juror #8 is a quintessential example of his screen persona. The everyman made up of strong moral fibre and willing to go the distance for what is right.
Lee J Cobb (Coogan’s Bluff, Three Faces of Eve, Man Of the West, Four Horseman of The Apocalypse, Exorcist, How The West Was Won) remeniscent of George C Scott and brings the same gravitas and force of will to the part. Cobb as Juror # 10 is a wounded animal repeatedly poked and prodded. Finally his guts spill all over the table and we see physical strength as no match for emotional pain.
Rather than list each cast member and rave individually John Doe will just reintertate there are no small parts in this film. Every performance is faultless, critical to the tone and chemistry that entertains and stimulates.
The DVD
Transfer: 1:66:1/Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras: Trailer
Spoiler Alert: Do not click on clip if you haven’t seen the film.
Below is the crackling final scene where one of teh characters crumbles
John Doe's on a bit of a Muppet Show kick at the moment so enjoy "Seasame Street Monster House Theatre" persenting 12 angry Men
DVD Cover
Writer:Reginald Rose
Starring:Henry Fonda, Lee J Cobb, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, E G Marshall, John Fielder, Ed Begley, Ed Binns, Robert Webber
“Don't give me that. I'm sick and tired of facts! You can twist 'em anyway you like, you know what I mean?” – Juror #10
The justice system is put on trial in this engrossing, provocative and powerful courtroom drama. Taking place almost exclusively within the four walls of the jury room, this one time stage play delves deep into the inner mechanisms of what motivates the 12 men of a Jury.
It’s a hot day inside the halls of justice, an 18 year old boy from the slums is on trial. The defence and prosecution have made their case, the lawyers and witnesses have all spoken their piece and now it is time for the deliberation.
On the surface it appears like an open and shut case, at least that’s the way 11 of the 12 Men see the it after listening all the evidence that came out during the trial.
“Well, what's there to talk about? Eleven men in here think he's guilty. No one had to think about it twice except you.” – Juror #7
All from very different walks of life, juror #8 (Henry Fonda) isn’t convinced and with a guilty verdict carrying the weight of the death sentence, he feels it’s worth re-examining the facts one more time before passing judgement.
“Look, there was one alleged eye witness to this killing. Someone else claims he heard the killing, saw the boy run out afterwards and there was a lot of circumstantial evidence. But actually, those two witnesses were the entire case for the prosecution. Supposing they're wrong?” – Juror #8
Through logical deduction and speculation, sorting through the circumstantial evidence and heresay to find semblance of a tangible truth. Brought out under cross examination, the cracks begin to show. Demanding proof, each member’s beliefs expose their personal prejudices.
“I don't understand you people! I mean all these picky little points you keep bringing up. They don't mean nothing. You saw this kid just like I did. You're not gonna tell me you believe that phony story about losing the knife, and that business about being at the movies. Look, you know how these people lie! It's born in them! I mean what the heck? I don't have to tell you. They don't know what the truth is! And lemme tell you, they don't need any real big reason to kill someone, either! No sir!” – Juror # 10
Certain characters demons represent a stubborn, close minded culture that is unwilling to assess situations with a sense of perspective and make decisions based on their own arrogant point of view. (Encouraged when debating film, but not when a life lies in the balance)
“Well, I'm not used to supposin'. I'm just a workin' man. My boss does all the supposin' - but I'll try one. Supposin' you talk us all out of this and, uh, the kid really did knife his father?” – Juror #6
Other jurors follow blindly, not thinking for themselves, others would rather be somewhere else or are so detached, lacking empathy that they refuse to bend for fear of having to examine there own world views.
“Beyond a reasonable doubt”, these words are the cornerstone themes. Hindered by the folly of human subjectivity and blindsiding the ability to make an objective decision. The rub is that according to the rules of the game, even if a man is guilty, if the evidence doesn’t back it up then you must let a murderer go free.
“Nobody has to prove otherwise. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. The defendant doesn't even have to open his mouth. That's in the Constitution.” –Juror #8
There are two sides to every story, the truth is in the eye of the beholder. They may seem like old worn out clichés, but as this human drama unfolds it is very clear that they are relevant to any time and any place.
“It's always difficult to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this. And wherever you run into it, prejudice always obscures the truth. I don't really know what the truth is. I don't suppose anybody will ever really know. Nine of us now seem to feel that the defendant is innocent, but we're just gambling on probabilities - we may be wrong. We may be trying to let a guilty man go free, I don't know. Nobody really can. But we have a reasonable doubt, and that's something that's very valuable in our system. No jury can declare a man guilty unless it's SURE. We nine can't understand how you three are still so sure. Maybe you can tell us”. –Juror #8
Who let O.J in the room?
John Doe says:
12 Angry Men is an important film. Tense, thoughtful, believable and superbly acted.
Analytical of the world, Director Sidney Lumet (The Hill, Network, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, the Offence, Fail-Safe) excels with material that has a relevance to the dynamics of society. Philosophical and hypothetical brain candy is sustained without sacrificing emotional content.
Achieving a documentary realism, most of the film plays out as one uninterrupted scene. There are no cutaways, feeling it all happening before our eyes is the result.
An ensemble piece, the cast are electric. 12 very different individuals that keep your attention and offer separate ideas that warrant later thought. We see some grow as they take in the process, while others shrink under the strain of their own ignorance.
Henry Fonda (Once Upon A Time In The West, The Boston Strangler, The Wrong man, Warlock, Grapes of Wrath, Ox Bow Incident) sited this as the work he is proudest of, and the part of Juror #8 is a quintessential example of his screen persona. The everyman made up of strong moral fibre and willing to go the distance for what is right.
Lee J Cobb (Coogan’s Bluff, Three Faces of Eve, Man Of the West, Four Horseman of The Apocalypse, Exorcist, How The West Was Won) remeniscent of George C Scott and brings the same gravitas and force of will to the part. Cobb as Juror # 10 is a wounded animal repeatedly poked and prodded. Finally his guts spill all over the table and we see physical strength as no match for emotional pain.
Rather than list each cast member and rave individually John Doe will just reintertate there are no small parts in this film. Every performance is faultless, critical to the tone and chemistry that entertains and stimulates.
The DVD
Transfer: 1:66:1/Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras: Trailer
Spoiler Alert: Do not click on clip if you haven’t seen the film.
Below is the crackling final scene where one of teh characters crumbles
John Doe's on a bit of a Muppet Show kick at the moment so enjoy "Seasame Street Monster House Theatre" persenting 12 angry Men
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Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
engrossing movie, that I saw a while ago.
i could easily see it again.
Thanks for reminding me of it.
I like the fact that most of the film takes place in the one room.
Norm.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
haven't seen it, but it echoes my own sentiments about capital punishment..
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I dug out the DVD for the first time in a couple of years over the weekend and it has lost none of its power.
Setting it all in one hot, sweaty room without a fan really creates an urgency to proceedings and you can almost feel the walls caving in on the more anxious players.
Hi Cib,
A timeless film that puts a micoscope on the flawed "Human factor" of the jury process. The reason I like it so much is that it revels in showing all sides of the story and doesn't get bogged down in preachy sermons. If your a Fonda fan it is essential viewing.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Good acting, good drama, good musical direction at just the right moments for tension.
All in one room.
How is that for a neat budget,
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Sidney Lumet is one of my fave directors and he handles 12 Angry Men with the same precision that would later allow him to make Dog Day Afternoon...which takes place largely inside a bank.
He is one of the few Directors who can take a stage play and give it cinematic essence so that the camera and sets become part of the communication of ideas.
Comment by Stanley
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Just as cool that you groove on the Muppets, I just did a blog the other day on Season 1 of the magical show.
Thanks for making my day
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I like the idea of the film playing out as one scene. Something you can only get away with if you've got a great script and equally good acting.
Thanks for the tip, I'll look it up. Great review
Kylie
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD