Review of 12 Angry Men (1957) by Wayne K — 13 Sep 2015

Intelligent, thrilling, emotional, powerful, evocative, thought-provoking. These are all terms commonly used when complimenting a movie, and each and every one of them can be rightly applied to the 1957 masterpiece that is 12 Angry Men.

The first directorial effort of acclaimed filmmaker Sidney Lumet, and surely one of cinemas greatest debuts, we spend over 90 minutes in a small, hot, cramped room with the titular characters of various backgrounds and beliefs, debating the guilt of a young man who almost all of them have condemned in a heartbeat.

Henry Fonda gives a steady and understated but thoroughly engaging and realistic performance as seemingly the only juror who can see past prejudice and above petty squabbles. He's so good that a scene of him simply hobbling across the room is so moving you simply can't take your eyes and ears off him for a second.

The film doesn't address the themes of guilt and innocence, it takes the time to show how such terms cannot always be so clearly defined, and how condemning an innocent man is as bad as pulling the trigger yourself.

With believable characters, clever writing, excellent performances and an intriguing storyline which is constantly evolving, it's not so much a film we sit back and observe, but actively take part in, making every audience member not a mere spectator, but the 13th juror.