Review of Gideon's Trumpet (1980) by Monsieur R — 07 Sep 2010
Henry Fonda's second to last film casts him as the lead actor and victim of false witness in a robbery. On Golden Pond was his last movie.
A true story in Florida where there was no lawyer for his defense if he could not afford it, he was forced to plea in his own defense and was as he put it "railroaded" into prison for a five year term, two of which he serves thanks to the US Supreme Court and Abe Fortas (played by Jose Ferrer, Best Actor in the 1950 Cyrano De Burgerac) who 9 to nothing decide to overturn a past ruling about lawyer representation.
Shot in television format and 70s technique, Fonda's acting pulls off this movie and makes it memorable. Gideon writes to the Supreme Court and is given next to no chance to have them overturn an age old states rights ruling by the court that accused do not always have to have a lawyer in their defense. Historically, Robert Kennedy called Gideon's actions landmark, as the film points out at the end.
Most of the action takes place in a court room or prison setting, so be ready for tense drama. Well done in most respects.
This review of Gideon's Trumpet (1980) was written by Monsieur R on 07 Sep 2010.
Gideon's Trumpet has generally received positive reviews.
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