NipPierce Wow, this is a REALLY bad movie!

SoTrumpBelieve Must See Movie...

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

StrictlyConfidential This 1957 courtroom drama of ultimate treachery and betrayal was frequently spoiled for me by that sniveling, pompous actor, Charles Laughton, who played the "Sir" Wilfred Roberts character.IMO - Laughton (and his insufferable blubbering) was given way-way too much screen-time. And I sure got real sick of his shtick - Real fast.As expected - Marlene Dietrich gets to do her trademark "man-drag" thing, once again, in this picture. You know, I think that she has been given the chance to do this same, tiresome business in at least a third of all the films that she has ever appeared in.*Note* - This would be Tyrone Power's final film. He died of a heart attack the following year after its release. He was 44 at the time.

Ivan Lalic Agatha Christie is one of the most adapted writers for the big screen, but also rarely managed to deliver a bad movie script. Her crime mysteries were just to good in their core, offering endless plot twists, as did one of her first adaptations, "Witness for the prosecution". William Wilder's movie brought Marlen Dietrich's charisma to the big screen, but also managed to keep the tension of a murder trial all the way through the entire movie, climaxing in a really unexpected climax at the very end. On the other hand, the acting and the development of characters won't be revolutionary If you are into crime/mystery/trial movies you should not miss "Witness for the prosecution", a classical genre mainstream.

thejcowboy22 The perfect movie for insomniacs like myself who caught this epic courtroom drama on TCM commercial free with no interruptions.Our story begins with a renown British Barrister Sir Wilfrid Roberts played by Charles Laughton. Sir Roberts, stout yet refined complete with monocle recovering from a recent heart ailment is cared for by his personal nurse Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lancaster) who was in reality Laughton's real Wife. The arguments and condescending quips being thrown by Sir Roberts at the overbearing nurse was probably as close to the real home life of the Laughton's as you can get. Enter the distressed, accused, and care-warned Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power). Miss Plimsoll strongly objects to her personal patient taking on any cases after Sir Robert's ailment. Sir Roberts hears out Voles statement as the accused claims his innocents to the murder of Mrs. Emily French a rich older woman who was fond with Vole, infatuated as to go so far as to make him the beneficiary to her will. I Personally enjoyed the credible performance here by Power as I the viewer, was convinced of his innocence done so naturally and humbly, Unparalleled acting. Sir Roberts takes the case under the consternation of his dictatorial nurse yet smooth as silk in his retorts to his nurse were just as caustic which gave the film comic relief throughout the entire film entwined in this unique murder trial. Vole claims to Sir Roberts that his Wife would testify on his behalf. Enter the cold, self assured Mrs. Christine Vole (Marlene Dietrich) who tells Roberts and his colleagues a different story which quashes any alibi's for Vole. Vole is arrested swiftly and detained. The flashback scenes in Post-War Germany when Leonard talks about how a ceiling fell on him during his first meeting with Christine at a makeshift nightclub packed with eager G.I.'s who attacked her, ripped her pants. Dietrich showcases her talents with song and accordion. The trial begins with a cavalcade of familiar British heavy's known for television work in the 60's. Familiars like John Williams as Brogan Moore, (Robert's right hand in legal matters), who temporarily replaced Sebastian Cabot as the butler on the sit-com Family Affair. William exposure on American television was wide spread with a popular commercial for decades about classical masterpieces. Henry Daniell as Mayhew known to TV viewers as a frequent player in Boris Karloff's Thriller. Other familiars actors not born on the British Isles despite the queens tongue are Ian Wolfe as Carter known for his roles in Star Trek. The ever present Torin Thatcher as the Prosecutor Myers who was frequent guest on Science fiction related shows. Lost in Space,Time Tunnel, Voyage to the Bottom of The Sea and Star Trek. FYI last film for Tyrone Power who died a year later of a massive heart attack and last film for veteran actress Una O'Conner. Fabulous ending with tremendous shock value which felt like a Hitchcock film but Billy Wilder always gets lost in this masterpiece. His best directorial to date, but the book by Agatha Christy had more impact than the film but doesn't Hollywood always water-down screen plays to suit actors and budget. Laughton's performance was outstanding and that comedic timing impeccable.

tjsdomer2 Marlene Dietrich plays her role perfectly with many unexpected twists. Charles Laughton sure made me laugh a ton here and for sure steals the show as that not-quite-all there grandparent figure with a few tricks up the sleeve. I can't say enough how funny and unexpected this movie was. Courtroom dramas seem to have stuffy, by-the-numbers, and stiff plots, but Witness for the Prosecution sure doesn't fit that bill and seems to be aware of the original conventions just so it can spin them around like a top.For those of you hesitant about the classics, the humor in this transcends generations. A must watch.I convict Witness for the Prosecution as close to perfect film, enough so to give it a perfect 4 out of 4 stars.