Review of 12 Angry Men (1957) by Kevin R — 13 Jan 2015

Prejudice always obscures the truth.

A group of jurors initially believe a little boy killed his abusive father. The boy appears to have conducted premeditated murder; however, one juror feels things are not adding up and talks to the other jurors until all but a few have doubts. However, those who believe it was murder refuse to change their mind. On one of the hottest days of the year, the group will sit and deliberate until a final outcome is made. Can the men land on the same page, or will they be stuck on separate sides of the fence?

"You can't talk that way to me like that.".

"I am talking to you like that.".

Sidney Lumet, director of Dog Day Afternoon, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Network, Running on Empty (1988), The Wiz, Serpico, and The Appointment, delivers 12 Angry Men. The storyline for this picture is very well done and on par with similar pictures in this genre (Anatomy of Murder and Witness to the Prosecution). The acting was outstanding and the cast includes Henry Fonda, Lee Cobb, EG Marshall, Jack Warden, and John Fiedler, and Jack Klugman.

"You know these people lie. It's born in them.".

This is another film that was on my guilty I haven't seen list until I came across it on Netflix. I thought this film was very well done and perfectly relied on Fonda to carry the film from scene to scene and from argument to argument. It was a truly captivating performance. I strongly recommend seeing this all time classic.

"This boy has been hit so many times that violence is practically a way of life for him.".

Grade: A.