Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

8/10

Starring

Charles Laughton

Tyrone Power

Marlene Dietrich

Elsa Lanchester

Directed by Billy Wilder

This was my first time seeing this movie, and I was amazed by the number of twists and turns it holds. Until the very end, everything you think you know about this movie—or what really happened—is up for grabs, and nothing is ever certain. The plot is brilliantly crafted to keep the viewer lost in suspicion, doubting everyone except the defendant. The triumph of this movie is something I have to credit Billy Wilder for. His skill as a director, twisting and turning this screen adaptation, is incredible to behold.

Praises are also due to the cast: Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, and Marlene Dietrich. The three of them were so commanding in their roles that there was no way this wasn’t going to be a hit. Their performances deserve applause and awards thrown their way. Alongside the main trio, Laughton’s real-life wife Elsa Lanchester plays a supporting role as Sir Wilfrid’s nurse—a role that earned her a Golden Globe Award.

The movie’s plot centers around Leonard Vole (Power), a man accused of murdering a wealthy elderly woman named Jane French. Vole’s solicitor takes him to a senior barrister, Sir Wilfrid (Laughton), who has just returned home after a lengthy hospital stay due to heart trouble.

Leonard claims he wasn’t around when the murder was committed, and his only witness is his wife, Christine (Dietrich). At first, Sir Wilfrid hands the case off to someone else in his firm, but he changes his mind when he notices the strange threads tied around Leonard and this case. He decides to lead the defense, and we watch as he unravels the mystery to determine whether Leonard truly murdered Jane French or not.

The movie is based on Agatha Christie’s short story, which first had a play adaptation. This film marks the first adaptation of the 1925 publication. It was both a critical and commercial success and has been praised as one of the best adaptations of Christie’s works.

It has also been recognized by the AFI (American Film Institute), ranking sixth in their AFI’s 10 Top 10 Courtroom Dramas. If not for the Covid-19 pandemic, there was talk in 2020 of Ben Affleck wanting to create a remake of this film. I’m not sure if such a remake will ever happen, but I feel this movie is one of those classics that should just be left alone as it is. But if you know Hollywood, that may not be.