12 Angry Men (1957)

12 Angry Men is a classic American courtroom drama film directed by Sidney Lumet. Released in 1957, the film is adapted from a teleplay by Reginald Rose. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece of American cinema, praised for its gripping storytelling, powerful performances, and exploration of social and moral themes. The film’s Wikipedia page provides detailed information on its cast, achievements, interesting facts, runtime, ratings, and a brief summary of the story.

Cast:

The film features an exceptional ensemble cast, including:

• Henry Fonda as Juror 8
• Lee J. Cobb as Juror 3
• Ed Begley as Juror 10
• E.G. Marshall as Juror 4
• Martin Balsam as Juror 1
• Jack Klugman as Juror 5
• John Fiedler as Juror 2

• Jack Warden as Juror 7
• Joseph Sweeney as Juror 9
• Ed Binns as Juror 6
• Robert Webber as Juror 12

Achievements:

• The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Director for Sidney Lumet.
• It received critical acclaim for its screenplay, acting, and direction, with particular praise for Henry Fonda’s performance as Juror 8.
• Despite a modest box office performance upon its initial release, the film has gained a significant cult following and is now considered a classic of American cinema.
• In 2007, the Library of Congress selected 12 Angry Men for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, recognizing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

Interesting Facts:

• The entire film takes place in a single location, the jury room, creating a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere.
• Henry Fonda, who also served as a co-producer, fought to have the film made, as he believed in its powerful message about the American justice system.
• The film’s black-and-white cinematography, by Boris Kaufman, adds to the starkness and intensity of the narrative.
• Initially a commercial failure, the film found success in subsequent years through television broadcasts and re-releases.
• Reginald Rose, the writer of the original teleplay, also wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation, ensuring its faithful transition to the big screen.

Runtime:

The film has a runtime of approximately 96 minutes.

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Ratings:

• IMDb: 8.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• Metacritic: 96/100

Summary:

The film revolves around the deliberations of a jury consisting of twelve men, all from diverse backgrounds, who must decide the fate of a young man accused of murdering his father. Initially, most of the jurors are convinced of the defendant’s guilt, except for Juror 8 (played by Henry Fonda), who has reasonable doubt. As the deliberations progress, tensions rise, and the jurors engage in heated discussions, reexamining the evidence and challenging their own prejudices and assumptions. Through careful examination of the facts and powerful arguments, Juror 8 begins to sway the opinions of the other jurors, revealing the flaws in the prosecution’s case and raising questions about justice, prejudice, and the nature of reasonable doubt. The film builds to a gripping climax as the jurors confront their own biases and arrive at a verdict that has profound implications for the defendant’s life.