Review of Witness for the Prosecution (1957) by Daniel S — 28 Feb 2011

What a third act! What has to this point been a relatively straightforward (though very good) mystery/courtroom drama spins out of control towards a conclusion that you'll never believe. In all actuality I kind of wish it had ended one twist earlier, which would have led to perhaps a more sobering ending, but I can't complain too much.

I loved Laughton in this from the first scene and he's great all the way through, though the film wouldn't have worked without Marlene Dietrich as the titular witness. This movie still looks beautiful today and thrills almost every bit as much as imagine it did in 1957.

In the top half of Billy Wilder's exceptional filmography.