Rating: 
Summary: CLASSIC COMBINATION !
Review: I can't think of something more rewarding, from a film buff's point of view, than a smart script performed by top notch actors and directed by a genious. Anatomy of a Murder has it all. Jimmy Stewart finds a clever vehicule for his suave persona and is helped masterfully by Arthur O'Connel, Eve Arden, Ben Gazzara -in a mood that he would repeat forever-, Lee Remick -superb as a "liberal" wife- and, in a surprisingly secure and strong early performance, George C. Scott (he once had hair, too). All this talent is highlighted by Duke Ellington's jazzy score, which may be one of the best contributions made to a film by a music talent ever. Otto Premminger had a reputation of yelling angrily to his actors. Here, it seems that he took a different turn and joined their skills to his masterful touch. Although the former strong content of the movie is dated, the film stands alone as a visual legacy of the values of an era and keeps itself fresh as far as acting and directing are concerned. This dvd version is impecable as far as video quality. The original mono sound doesn't bother at all either. If you like intelligent movies with an eternal appeal, buy this gem.
Rating:
Summary: Vintage courtroom drama, Classic Stewart
Review: One of the all-time great courtroom dramas, this long but absorbing film follows the investigation and prosecution of an Army lieutenant who allegedly murdered the man who raped his wife. Intelligent, adult treatment of then-scandalous material and surprisingly assured direction from the hit-and-miss hand of Otto Preminger make this worthwhile. James Stewart as the defense attorney, George C. Scott as the prosecutor, Ben Gazarra as the lieutenant, and the ever-underrated Lee Remick as his wife head an all-star cast. Great Duke Ellington score. Note: Makes a great double dill with Sidney Lumet's equally good but very different courtroom drama, 12 Angry Men.
Rating: 
Summary: Excllent movie: a bit tame by todays standards!
Review: The premise for the movie is very interesting and still relevent. However, the way they treat the area of psychology and refering to someones state of mind as having control of one's faculty is archaic at best. The sexual inuendos are also very tame and modern day audience will actually find them slightly amusing.
Rating:
Summary: A FINE COURTROOM DRAMA.
Review: An army lieutenant shoots a bar owner for allegedly raping his wife; Stewart tries to convice the jury that he's innocent of first degree murder, since he was the "victim of an irresistible impulse"...........Director Otto Preminger thrived on tense legal show downs, and this is perhaps his best, mostly for Stewart's cagey performance as the deceptively wily small-town lawyer. Preminger's landmark courtroom film is one which the public and critics alike took very seriously back in 1959. Under Preminger's flawless direction, the trial draws a fine line between drama and proper courtroom procedure. The plot is complicated by the nature of the criminals and defendants none of whom are purely good or evil, but who all have a complex relationship to the law and society. Lee Remick and George C. Scott are excellent in their roles and Eve Arden is interesting in her off-beat role as Maida. Some feel Ellington's score is a plus, others feel it's unsuitable. Although the film received 7 AA nominations, it garnered none. The judge in the film was played by Joseph N. Welch, who defended Joseph McCarthy during the 1954 anti-communist witch hunts.
Rating:
Summary: I would give it more stars, but I don't have the option.
Review: Some day, I'm going to compile a list of movies to watch when you're bored. The list will include Hitchcock's "North by Northwest," "The Godfather," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and Otto Perminger's "Anatomy of a Murder."The only thing I can think to say about this movie is that it is wildly entertaining all throughout. No words can accurately explain the powerful driving force behind such a movie; perhaps it's the adreneline rush you get from watching the courtroom scenes, or maybe it's the collection of superb actors, or maybe it's the fact that each scene was meticulously devised and constructed in the mind of Perminger (which I'm sure I'm spelling incorrectly) after reading the book. I myself have not and maybe I should, but I'm sure that its content is almost identical. In any case, it is realistic and incredibly well-done.
Rating:
Summary: James Stewart at his best
Review: James Stewart at his best. With a strong assist from George C. Scott, and aided by Otto Perminger's cagey direction, Stewart hoists a long movie on his thin shoulders and carries it home. Forget "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", Stewart really came into his own as an actor in late middle age, with his morally compromised and sometimes disturbing characters here and in his three best Hitchcock collaborations, "Vertigo", "Rear Window", and "Rope."
Rating:
Summary: brilliant film lousy score
Review: brilliant film made even greater by an exceptional cast inculding the then newcomer george c. scott. however, unless your a serious jazz fan the score will give you a headache.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This movie boasts both an outstanding (and true) plot that holds your attention and an all-star cast. Though filmed in the 1950s, the movie is still entertaining. I highly recommend the film.
Rating:
Summary: courtroom drama does not fail to hold you
Review: although close to 3 hours long, anatomy of a murder holds your attention. long a fan of good courtroom dramas (caine mutiny, e.g.), this film did not fail to hold my attention. jimmy stewart is superb as the wily defense attorney and the judge (apparently real!) is humorous and keeps things in perspective. i recommend this film for anyone who appreciates good courtroom drama.
Rating:
Summary: Every attorney's inspirational tape - A classic for everyone
Review: I am a trial attorney, and before every trial - if I have time - I watch this movie. Sure, there are movies that show a more gritty version of trial work and more nuts and bolts, but this is trial drama at its best. The understated power of "Paulie's" (Jimmy Stewart's charecter) cross-examination is a good primmer for how to be strong yet respectful. --- Also, even the "day to day" converstaions in the movie are crisp and witty. Great writing. Plus, the score cannot be beat and the richness of the black and white makes this both "eye" and "mind candy." This is a good story well done. I make this a definite must see for any law student. As to everyone else, it remains a classic.
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