Review of Anatomy of a Murder (1959) by Madison N — 12 Jan 2013

Now this is the kind of film I like: one where the characters drive the plot forwards. Really everything about this movie is in the psychology and behavior of the characters. This is further advanced by the excellent performances of James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara and George C.

Scott (but really everybody is very good). What also helps is the wonderful music of Duke Ellington. The film almost goes off track halfway into the film, when the courtroom scenes begin to drag and the attorney's behavior becomes increasingly over-the-top, but it recovers very strong with some last-act revelations.