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Billy Wilder cowrote and directed this brilliant 1957 mystery based on Agatha Christie's celebrated play about an aging London barrister (Charles Laughton) who's preparing to retire when he takes the defense in the most vexing murder case of his distinguished career. In his final completed film (he died of a heart attack less than a year later), Tyrone Power plays the prime suspect in the murder of a wealthy widow, and Marlene Dietrich plays the wife of the accused, whose testimony--and true identity--holds the key to solving the case. A classic of courtroom suspense, Witness for the Prosecution is one of those movies with enough double-crossing twists to keep the viewer guessing right up to the very end, when yet another surprise is deftly revealed. This being a Billy Wilder film, the dialogue is first-rate and the acting superb, with both Laughton and his offscreen wife Elsa Lanchester (playing the barrister's pesty nurse) winning Academy Awards for their performances. Although later films would concoct even more complicated courtroom scenarios, this remains one of the best films of its kind and a model for all those films that followed its lead. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By ElyseAli
Format:DVD
Review for Fox Video DVD 2008 release of Witness for the Prosecution.
The picture and sound quality are flawless.
A movie from Billy Wilder. It's a courtroom drama. It's well cast and the acting is great. They're believable. The way it's filmed reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. It's Intelligent, entertaining, dramatic with a twist of funny, twists, and suprises.
Definately deserves a spot in your movie collection. Worth the money and time you'll spend on it.
I envy anyone watching it for the first time! You'll be left satisfied.
The picture and sound quality are flawless.
A movie from Billy Wilder. It's a courtroom drama. It's well cast and the acting is great. They're believable. The way it's filmed reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. It's Intelligent, entertaining, dramatic with a twist of funny, twists, and suprises.
Definately deserves a spot in your movie collection. Worth the money and time you'll spend on it.
I envy anyone watching it for the first time! You'll be left satisfied.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By T. M. Brown
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Many people consider this to be Tyrone Power's best and Marlene Deitrich plays the stero-typically unemotional German woman to a "T", in director, Billy Widler's movie. In my opinion, however, it is Charles Laughton who steals the show.
The dialogue his character has and the way he delivers it against the acting of his long-time wife, Elsa Lanchester, is just delightful. An excellent story and well worth watching for it's an early Hollywood example of a twist in the ending. One cannot be too surprised by the ending, though, considering the story was written by Agatha Christie.
The dialogue his character has and the way he delivers it against the acting of his long-time wife, Elsa Lanchester, is just delightful. An excellent story and well worth watching for it's an early Hollywood example of a twist in the ending. One cannot be too surprised by the ending, though, considering the story was written by Agatha Christie.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Kona
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), an American living in London, is accused of killing an older woman who befriended him. His defense barrister (Charles Laughton) is convinced of the man's innocence but puzzled over the peculiar behavior of Mrs. Vole (Marlene Dietrich).
This movie's trailer touts the 'shocking' ending and, I have to say, I did find it so surprising that I immediately rewound the tape to watch and enjoy it again. Power is slick, handsome, and appears too old to always be called 'young man' by his lawyer, but is otherwise very good. Laughton is the real star of the show and gives an outstanding performance full of wit and passion. His scenes with Elsa Lanchester are very funny. Dietrich is mysterious until the very end, the epitome of an icy, cool, and calculating female. This is a very British story, with most of the action set in a courtroom. The dialogue is spirited and the pace is quick.
I had expected the movie to be dated and a bit dull, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.
This movie's trailer touts the 'shocking' ending and, I have to say, I did find it so surprising that I immediately rewound the tape to watch and enjoy it again. Power is slick, handsome, and appears too old to always be called 'young man' by his lawyer, but is otherwise very good. Laughton is the real star of the show and gives an outstanding performance full of wit and passion. His scenes with Elsa Lanchester are very funny. Dietrich is mysterious until the very end, the epitome of an icy, cool, and calculating female. This is a very British story, with most of the action set in a courtroom. The dialogue is spirited and the pace is quick.
I had expected the movie to be dated and a bit dull, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie.
An old, but good movie that was purchased for my mother-in-law who enjoys old movies with great stories to watch.
Published 5 months ago by Risé
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witness for the Prosecution
This is one of Agatha Christie's greatest plays - GREAT SUSPENSE, & 3 SUPERB ACTORS.
All I can say - it is a great film, that anyone would enjoy.
All I can say - it is a great film, that anyone would enjoy.
Published 6 months ago by Robert The Bruce
4.0 out of 5 stars
HAPPY CUSTOMER
This DVD was eveything I expected; excellent condition & prompt service. Will order again in futureTwilight
Published on Oct 25 2009 by BaBaWaWa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witness for the Prosecution
An excellent great old movie with a big "finale". Marlene Dietrich is superb in this movie and yes, in one scene, she shows why in the 50's her legs were insurance for 1 million... Read more
Published on Aug 30 2009 by Jose M. Barbieri
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Where is my cocoa?"
Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton), Barrister is returning to work prematurely from hospital for a heart condition. Read more
Published on July 8 2006 by bernie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witness for the Prosecution
I first saw this movie as I was walking out the door, and continued to stand mezmirized by the twists and turns. Read more
Published on July 12 2004 by M. Meuse-Allard
5.0 out of 5 stars
"It's not the jury's judgment that worries me. It's mine."
"No more murder cases," is the doctor's strict prohibition upon reluctantly releasing renowned barrister and recent heart attack survivor Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles... Read more
Published on Jun 20 2004 by Themis-Athena
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first time I saw this...
...six unblinking, spellbound eyes took every moment in--that is to say, my parents and I (eye!) were thoroughly riveted. Read more
Published on Jun 6 2004 by "mygeneration7"
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cheesy by today's standards
I agree that this movie is a prototype for countless future courtroom dramas, but that said, it wasn't too terribly exciting. Read more
Published on Mar 28 2004 by lady detective
4.0 out of 5 stars
Many delights, some disappointments
When I first saw this movie as a teenager I loved the courtroom drama and attendant plot twists. But Wilder also has a rare genius for creating fully-fledged comic characters with... Read more
Published on Dec 5 2003 by Jeff Westbrook
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