Review of Anatomy of a Murder (1959) by Jeremy F — 10 Feb 2008

"Jimmy Stewart in a courtroom drama" may have been enough of a pitch to guarantee a successful film during the 50s, but Otto Preminger brings much more to the table in this very entertaining and sometimes dark look at the judicial process.

Stewart plays Paul Biegler, a small-time lawyer asked to defend an army officer accused of murdering a local bartender. In defense, the wife of the officer claims she was assulted by the bartender, and this drove her husband temporarily insane.

As the trial proceeds, Stewart is driven by duty to defend his client, but questionable testimony and circumstantial evidence makes him wonder where the truth ends and the lies begin. Preminger has never been known to shy away from sexual innuendo (just look at Marilyn Monroe in "River of No Return" or Dorothy Dandridge in "Carmen Jones") or taboo subjects (Frank Sinatra's struggles to deal with heroin addiction in "The Man With the Golden Arm") and this film proves to be no exception to the rule.

Frank talk of sexual partners, rape, and insanity are among the highlights of the courtroom trial, and at the time, this kind of dialogue was considered extremely indecent. A highly sophisticated jazz soundtrack provided by Duke Ellington (who also makes a cameo) provides additional emphasis on the seductive themes present.

Give yourself some time to watch this well-made film and you'll see where most of today's courtroom dramas drew their influence from.