Rating: 
Summary: An irresistible impulse to see this movie
Review: One of James Stewart's greatest roles and movies, Otto Preminger's Anatomy Of A Murder, has him as Paul Biegler, former public prosecutor who spends most of his time fishing. That is, until his boozing partner Parnell McCarthy tells him about the Manning incident. A certain Lieutenant Frank Manning shot the owner of a bar, Barney Quill, five times after learning that the latter raped his wife. That's quite a change in fortunes, according to his secretary Mayda, who tells him, "What appointments? People will think you have migrated into the woods."Biegler has a rough one. There are four options to get Manning off the hook: 1) Quill committed suicide, 2) Manning didn't do it, 3) he was legally justified, and 4) it was an excusable killing. Biegler can't use #3 because of the time element--Manning killed Quill an hour later, which makes it premeditated murder. Then there's Laura, Manning's luscious wife, described by Mayda as "soft, easy, the kind of woman men like to take advantage of, and do." one of those women men like to show off, but may get jealous if too much attention is paid to her. Laura sticks by her husband all the same. The courtroom scenes become impassioned with the usual objections called by both sides, to the point that the weary but overly patient judge tells a smart-aleck witness, "Just answer the question. The attorneys will provide the wisecracks." The best one comes from Biegler at the expense of an expert witness there to observe. "Is he here to observe the constellation of Taurus or the life and times of a bumblebee?" At least it gets a laugh in the courtroom. Apart from Stewart, Arthur O'Connell, best known as the older cowboy in Bus Stop, does wonders as Parnell. Lee Remick turns in a sexy but assertive performance as Laura. This was also one of George C. Scott's early roles. He is Claude Dancer, assistant attorney general from Lansing, assisting the prosecution. This movie gained controversy for the then-considered graphic description of the assault in the courtroom, but also when Laura tells Biegler that Quill "tore my panties off." In fact the Hays Code denied the picture a censors certificate, but the Supreme Court wisely permitted the release of the film in 1959. Duke Ellington's mellowed music serves as a cooling off after the heated court sessions. Duke himself appears as Pie Eye, piano-playing leader of a band, and he and Stewart share a few bars together. Eve Arden's tart lines are in plenty supply: "If this refrigerator gets any more fish, it'll swim upstream and spawn all by itself." Parnell has a great reflective soliloquy on the justice system while Paul plays the piano. "Twelve different minds, twelve different hearts, twelve different walks of life, twelve sets of eyes, ears, shapes and sizes, are asked to judge another human being as different as they are from one each other. In their judgment, they must become of one mind, unanimous. It must be one of the miracles of man's disorganized minds that they can do it." Biegler's attempts to do that is what this movie is about.
Rating: 
Summary: worst courtroom drama I have ever seen
Review: Anatomy of a Murder is the worst court room drama I have seen. jimmy Stewart must be spinning in his grave whenever someone watches it. An amature movie when compared to any other court room centered drama, ...
Rating:
Summary: Anatomy of a Murder
Review: One of the best courtroom mysteries ever. James Stewart is the perfect actor for any mystery movie. Whether he's acting for Alfred Hitchcock or in this case Otto Preminger.
Rating: 
Summary: You'll never look at white panties with ruffles the same way
Review: This was a really strange movie and very long. If you don't like courtroom scenes, steer clear of this film, because it is basically one long courtroom scene. I have to admit it really was handled quite brilliantly, and I give credit to the scriptwriter and the actors who were the lawyers for the fact that it didn't quite put me to sleep. I was amazed that in 1959, the situation about assault, rape, and ripped white panties with ruffles was so freely talked about. I guess the code must have been on its way out even then. James Stewart was really the best thing about the movie but even he couldn't make it a wonder. The guy who played Pa Kwimper in "Follow That Dream" was the sidekick and helped a bit with the case. I can't say I highly recommend this movie unless you're a diehard fan of James Stewart or courtrooms.
Rating:
Summary: Does Guilt or Innocence Actually Matter?
Review: Based on the famous Traver novel, ANATOMY OF A MURDER is an extremely complex film that defeats easy definition. In some respects it is a social document of the era in which it was made; primarily, however, it is a detailed portrait of the law at work and the machinizations and motivations of the individuals involved in a seemingly straight-forward case--and in the process it raises certain ethical issues re attorney behavior and the lengths to which an attorney might go to win a case. Paul Biegler (James Stewart) is a small-town lawyer who has recently lost a re-election for the position of District Attorney and who is down on his luck--when a headline-making case involving assault, alleged rape, and murder drops into his lap. As the case evolves, there is no question about the identity of the killer. But a smart lawyer might be able to get him off just the same and redeem his own career in the process, and with the aid of an old friend (Arthur O'Connell) and his formidable secretary (Eve Arden), Biegler sets out to do precisely that. Opposing him in the courtroom is Claude Dancer (George C. Scott), a high powered prosecutor who is equally determined to get a conviction... and who is no more adverse to coaching a witness than Biegler himself. The two square off in a constantly shifting battle for the jury, a battle that often consists of underhanded tactics on both sides. The performances are impressive, with James Stewart ideally cast as the attorney for the defense, Ben Gazzara as his unsavory client, and a truly brilliant Lee Remick as the sexy and disreputable wife who screams rape where just possibly none occurred; O'Connell, Arden, and Scott also offer superior performances. The script is sharp, cool, and meticulous, the direction and cinematography both effective and completely unobtrusive, and the famous jazz score adds quite a bit to the film as a whole. Although we can't help rooting for Stewart, as the film progresses it seems more and more likely that Remick is lying through her teeth and Gazzara is as guilty as sin--but the film balances its elements in such a way as to achieve a disturbing ambiguity that continues right through to the end. If you expect a courtroom thriller with sudden revelations and twists you'll likely be disappointed in ANATOMY OF A MURDER, but if you want a thought-provoking take on the law you'd be hard pressed to find one better. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great film.
Review: Wonderful film, strong performances by an interesting cast. Joe Welch does steal the film, but one correction. In his review Heath McEwan says that Welch "defended Josephy McCarthy during the 1954 anti communist witch hunts." Of course this is wrong: Welch defended the Army in the Army-McCarthy hearings and is often credited -- in his defense of his associate Fred Fisher -- for starting the process by which McCarthy was exposed and brought down. Welch was a honorable man who deserves to have this set right. At any rate, a very good film.
Rating: 
Summary: The Real Star: Duke Ellington
Review: When I watch this movie, I must confess that I am being distracted by the music. The late, great musicologist Martin Williams one remarked that it's a bad score, as it takes away one's attention from the story. Fortunately, the music score is available in (almost) its entirety. Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, you can listen to it on Columbia/Legacy CK 65569, [....] I think the music will still be listened to in 50 years, when the story, the movie will be forgotten. But ... you can see the Duke in the movie, and listen to him while Jimmy Stewart 'plays' the piano ... That's why "d give 4 stars to this DVD. Loek Hopstaken
Rating: 
Summary: Great Film, Bad DVD
Review: This is a great courtroom drama, possibly one the finest. But the DVD, as a 1.33:1 ratio transfer, is a travesty and insult to Preminger's fine direction and mise en scene. If you need to see the film, please see it on DVD as the transfer is okay, definitely better than VHS, but could be better. WHen the widescreen (1.85:1) comes out, get that instead. I, for one, thought I'd picked up the original aspect ratio and was quite excited. Now i'm a little upset that the studios are releasing so called "classic films" without treating them with any of the care that classics, like this film and others, so truly deserve. SHAME ON YOU COLUMBIA!
Rating:
Summary: Unsung classic
Review: Never heard of it? You are among the truly unfortunate masses. A gripping trial comedy/drama, so good that it made a hip young cynic like myself pause for a second and third breath. Beautifully filmed in black and white, it might be one of my main arguments for b&w Vs. color, along with Casablanca and Touch of Evil. (And yes, I would say it belongs grouped with the immortal Bogey). The performances are astonishing, especially that of James Stewart, who's understated, world wearried goggles fit like they are custom fitted. Finally we come to the soundtrack by Duke Ellington. There is nothing anyone can say to convince me there is anything cooler than that.
Most supprising fact: THE BOOK IS EVEN BETTER!
Rating:
Summary: True to Life
Review: Anatomy of a Murder tells the story of an unusual murder trial in Michigan's upper penninsula. It's a terrific movie - well acted, well directed, and with a wonderful score by Duke Ellington. It's also based on a true case, which was related in a book by the trial's judge. I once discussed the case with a man from the town where it occurred. He summed it up as follows: "Barney never took anything that wasn't offered to him." If you've seen the movie, you'll understand what he meant.
| 
