Review of Witness for the Prosecution (1957) by Forrest P — 09 Sep 2010

- Billy Wilderâ??s â??Witness for the Prosecutionâ?? was originally marketed with a personal request from star Charles Laughton in the trailer to please not discuss the twist ending with those who have yet to see the movie.

I watched the movie recently for the first time and Iâ??m afraid the ending is easily predicted soon after Marlene Dietrich makes her first appearance. The movie, based on the Agatha Christie stage play is still a pretty good court room drama.

Tyrone Power gives a very wooden performance as the man accused of murder who seeks out Laughton to defend him in court. Laughton and Elsa Lanchester are very good and Iâ??m convinced more than ever that Marlene Dietrich was one of the over-rated actresses of her time and not very convincing in this movie.

While not one of Billy Wilderâ??s best movies, even his lesser movies are more entertaining than half of what comes out of Hollywood today. His other dramas like â??Ace in the Hole,â?? â??Double Indemnityâ?? â??Stalag 17â?? and â??Sunset Boulevardâ?? stand up far better to repeat viewings than the dated â??Witness for the Prosecution.

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