![]() Oh, wow, well that makes it all right then, and let's all leave the theater happy. As it is, Stewart's a hero, and if anyone has any qualms about it, they try to pin a happy face on the whole thing by saying his next case is going to be helping the victim's daughter with her estate. That either the fellow bartender or the victim's daughter were somehow involved in a setup, for the money. That the wife reveals she was never raped that night, and manipulated her husband into killing. That the guy doesn't just skip out on his bill at the end, he kills his wife in a rage, and calmly deadpans that he did that one too because of an "irresistible impulse". During the 160 minute run time, I kept hoping for a plot twist that never came. If it was though, the ending doesn't bear that out. Perhaps that's Preminger's point, that in the circus of a trial with sharp minds on both sides, circling each other like sharks, the system of justice is fallible. The central theme of what justice should be doesn't get explored enough. Most likely, Preminger amplified all of these theatrics - the jokes, the obsession with Remick and her panties, the banter between attorneys, the little doggie inexplicably being brought into the trial so he can jump up into Stewart's arms - all for entertainment value. ![]() ![]() More than once, an attorney will ask a question that he clearly doesn't know the answer to, one that he has no business asking. More than once, one attorney or another is surprised by a witness being produced, without having had a chance to independently interview them. The courtroom then cracks up when he announces that the garment in question will be referred to as panties. I'm afraid that might be slightly suggestive", to which the Welch replies "Most French words are". With a very serious look on his face, Scott says "When I was overseas during the war, Your Honor, I learned a French word. In one absurd sidebar, the judge and attorneys sidebar to discuss what panties should be referred to as. The level of levity in the courtroom for a trial involving rape and murder. The victim's daughter (played unconvincingly by a constantly wide-eyed Kathryn Grant) remotely considering helping the defense. Remick's playfulness and flirtation with Stewart a short while after being brutally beaten and raped, and with her husband charged with murder. In tone, there are several aspects that didn't ring true. Also, her missing panties get far too much attention throughout the movie, including the dramatic find at the end, when they're irrelevant. Even if you can get past the misogyny of attacking a rape victim, which is a disturbing reality, it's absurd to me that it became so central to the trial, Stewart's 'apple core' argument notwithstanding. Was she wearing clothing that was too suggestive, was she promiscuous, etc. It's apparent that the only real question is whether that was true, and yet, most of the trial revolves around whether his wife was actually raped, and worse yet, what her possible culpability was in that. I certainly didn't want Stewart as protagonist in the role of the defense attorney, where it feels he's in the wrong, starting with him nudging the guy to claim he was temporarily insane. The trouble is, even if this is based on a real case, legally and morally, it's a mess. It was also nice to hear jazz from Duke Ellington, and in one scene to see him playing briefly with Jimmy Stewart, though I'm not sure the music always fits. Welch as the judge is also strong and such a natural, in one scene appearing in the background with this arm wrapped around his head so that his hand rests on his opposite cheek as he listens intently. The scene where he deliberately moves back and forth to obscure Stewart's view of a witness is great, and well shot by director Otto Preminger. Scott is also brilliant, sharp and reptilian, quickly surpassing the local prosecutor. The scene where he questions his own client after a surprise piece of evidence is introduced by another inmate, real doubt in his eyes, is wonderful. Stewart turns in an outstanding performance, effortlessly combining intelligence and wit, and sparring with the prosecutor brought in from Lansing (George C. After some encouragement from Stewart, his plea is not guilty by reason of temporary insanity, that he simply 'lost it' after finding out that his wife (Lee Remick) was raped, and went out and killed the guy. There really isn't any doubt he's done it, since he's confessed. A former prosecutor (Jimmy Stewart) is convinced to come out of retirement to defend a man (Ben Gazzara) accused of murder. Warning, this review contains spoilers.įantastic acting, excellent shots on location in Michigan, entertaining courtroom scenes, but a flawed script, and a little overrated.
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