A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.
- Director
- Writers
- Agatha Christie(in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
- Billy Wilder(screen play)
- Harry Kurnitz(screen play)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Agatha Christie(in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
- Billy Wilder(screen play)
- Harry Kurnitz(screen play)
- Stars
- Nominated for 6 Oscars
- 4 wins & 16 nominations total
Videos1
Patrick Aherne
- Court Officeras Court Officer
- (uncredited)
Don Ames
- Bar Patronas Bar Patron
- (uncredited)
Walter Bacon
- Bar Patronas Bar Patron
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Agatha Christie(in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
- Billy Wilder(screen play)
- Harry Kurnitz(screen play)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaCharles Laughton, who could be moody and difficult, was apparently a dream to work with, throwing himself into the role with dedication and delight. Billy Wilder later recalled a day that was set aside just for shooting reaction shots of the jury and courtroom crowd (composed of extras hired only for the day). Normally, the assistant director would read the actors' lines, and the extras would react. However, Laughton, who was fascinated with the whole process of filmmaking, begged to help. So he came in on his day off and read all of the off-camera speeches for the jury members. He not only read his part but also the judge's, the prosecutor's, and even Marlene Dietrich's. According to biographer Maurice Zolotow in his book "Billy Wilder in Hollywood", "it was an exhibition of craftsmanship such as Wilder had never seen. He believes that Charles Laughton had the greatest technical range and power of any actor, man or woman, whom he has known."
- Goofs(at around 9 mins) Inside his chamber, Sir Wilfrid lights his cigar, and Leonard Vole locks the door to make sure that Miss Plimsoll can't enter the room and catch him smoking. Later (at around 15 mins), Wilfrid leaves his chamber without first unlocking the door.
Actually, Vole does not lock the door, but puts the keyhole cover in place to stop Plimsoll spying through the keyhole.
- Quotes
Sir Wilfrid: [getting progressively more agitated] The question is, Frau Helm, were you lying then, are you lying now, or are you not in fact a chronic and habitual LIAR!
- Crazy creditsAs the end credits appear on screen, an announcer's voice is heard: "The management of this theater suggests that for the greater entertainment of your friends who have not yet seen the picture you will not divulge to anyone the secret of the ending of Witness for the Prosecution."
- ConnectionsFeatured in Marlene (1984)
- SoundtracksI May Never Go Home Anymore
Music by Ralph Arthur Roberts
Lyrics by Jack Brooks
Sung by Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
Reprised a cappella by Tyrone Power (uncredited)
Top review
Superb and unjustly maligned film
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
I'm not sure I have the ability to adequately praise this film. The original short story(rather unremarkable, actually)has been expanded into a magnificent example of Hollywood entertainment at its best. In addition to perhaps the finest line-up of character actors ever assembled(next to Cukor's David Copperfield, that is), we get Laughton and Dietrich at the top of their form. The person who criticised Lanchester's performance as "annoying" missed the point entirely. Miss Plimsoll is meant to be annoying! Also, what's with all the bad-mouthing of Tyrone Power? "Hammy"; "terrible"; "worst performance ever". These are the perceptive IMDb reviews? Only one of you got it right: it's hammy because Leonard Vole is the one acting, not Power! For 95% of the film, the character is dissembling, only showing his true colors at the end. Of course it looks hammy: Vole isn't a born actor like his wife. And to all those know-it-alls who called this film mediocre and predictable, I look forward to your upcoming film projects which I'm sure will be paragons of excellence and worthy to be set alongside classics of the golden age.
I'm not sure I have the ability to adequately praise this film. The original short story(rather unremarkable, actually)has been expanded into a magnificent example of Hollywood entertainment at its best. In addition to perhaps the finest line-up of character actors ever assembled(next to Cukor's David Copperfield, that is), we get Laughton and Dietrich at the top of their form. The person who criticised Lanchester's performance as "annoying" missed the point entirely. Miss Plimsoll is meant to be annoying! Also, what's with all the bad-mouthing of Tyrone Power? "Hammy"; "terrible"; "worst performance ever". These are the perceptive IMDb reviews? Only one of you got it right: it's hammy because Leonard Vole is the one acting, not Power! For 95% of the film, the character is dissembling, only showing his true colors at the end. Of course it looks hammy: Vole isn't a born actor like his wife. And to all those know-it-alls who called this film mediocre and predictable, I look forward to your upcoming film projects which I'm sure will be paragons of excellence and worthy to be set alongside classics of the golden age.
helpful•16550
- jasonhurd
- Jul 31, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Сведок оптужбе
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $7,693
- Runtime1 hour 56 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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