Having recently watched and being ultimately disappointed by The Verdict, bbbtoby (you can check out his site here) on Twitter suggested watching this movie as according to him it’s one of the best coutroom dramas. As I can really enjoy these type of movies I was looking forward to checking it out.
At the beginning of the movie we are introduced to Wilfred Robarts (Chales Laughton), a very good lawyer who returns back to work after being ill for a while. His nurse (Elsa Lanchester) has to make sure he doesn’t get too much excitement and so he can’t do any criminal cases. Robarts is an extremely grumpy man, who loves his cigars (which he isn’t allowed to smoke because of his state) and drinks, so he has this constant battle with the nurse to get his hands on them. It’s very funny stuff.
This being a courtroom drama there has to be a case though and it’s an interesting one. Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is accused of murdering woman, but he says he did not do it. His wife Christine (Marlene Dietrich) can confirm his alibi, so Robarts decides to take on the case, despite the fact he’s still recovering. What follows is a very exciting court case, with a lot of drama and some great cross examinations.
Chales Laughton shines in his role as the lawyer, being both funny and managing to make it a character who is believable as this very experienced and knowledgable lawyer. Marlene Dietrich is also amazing and from the moment she’s introduced you have the feeling that more is going on with her. The movie has some nice unexpected moments, but as the voiceover in the credits asks, I’m not allowed to tell you about them. If you are into courtroom dramas then this is the movie you must have seen. It’s a classic.
[score10]
Wow.
I think that is the first time since I have been readin your blog Nostra I have seen a 10.
Brilliant, I really want to see this film now
Yeah, I really don’t give out many 10’s. I just checked and this year I gave Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (which I didn’t review), Life is Beautiful, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father and Schindler’s List (review coming up) a ten. I only give movies a 10 is I’m blown away by them (I call it the “WOW!” factor) and that just doesn’t happen a lot.
I’m sure you will love it!
Hi, Nostra and company:
Excellent choice of film today!
One of Billy Wilder’s best.
Superb cast and a wonderful screenplay with Tyrone Power in the balance.
Charles Laughton leads the pack. Backed up by the consistently under rated Elsa Lanchester and the always stunning, elegant Marlene Dietrich. With equal parts dry British humor and riveting suspense.
I’ve always gotten a distinct vibe of this classic while watching the UK/Thames Television import, Rumpole Of The Bailey series when it was a heavy hitter on PBS in the late 1970s and 80s.
Hi Jack, always love your detailed comments, would you be interested in doing a guest review? Could be on any movie you’d like…
Hi, Nostra:
Doing a guest review sounds like fun!
Let me know what needs to done or complied with.
Just pick any movie you like, write your review and mail the text to myfilmviews@gmail.com. I will add the images and make sure it will appear on the site. If you have a blog let me know, I’ll add a link to that as well.
Hi, Nostra:
Check your In Box.
I just sent a review off to you. Let me know if it arrived okay.
Probably one of my top three courtroom films too as well as the best movie Hitchcock never made.
I also love how Marlene Deitrich can look better pretending to be young again as opposed to when she was actually younger. And how she can wing a nifty Cockney accent.
Like the way you put that about Hitchcock, it really could have been one of his films.
Dietrich was amazing and really manages to take over each scene she is in.