Rating: 
Summary: A CHRISTIE & WILDER MASTERPIECE.
Review: Quite probably, this film is the most ingeniously entertaining of all "Courtroom" dramas. At any rate, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION will definitely please viewers who like movies with a "twist" ending! At the mellow age of 55, Marlene Dietrich seems peerless in her playing of Christine: this is more than likely her finest dramatic performance. As the weak-hearted (literally) Sir Wilfred, the gruff barrister, Charles Laughton is perfection and as his nurse, Miss Plimsoll, Elsa Lanchester is memorable: there is a genuine chemistry between the two, they being real-life spouses for 25 years. Tyrone Power is fine as Leonard Vole who gets his comeuppance in a most unexpected manner. Norma Varden does well in her role as the rich old woman whom Leonard charms. The actress is who plays the frumpy brunette Cockney streetwalker is a unique fascination...Directed by Billy Wilder and based upon the Agatha Christie story, this film really couldn't miss. And it didn't.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect courtroom drama...
Review: Quite simply, this film is brilliant. In addition to being one of Billy Wilder's best films, this is one of the best courtroom dramas ever made! It is cleverly directed, has a compelling plot, features great performances (especially by Marlene Dietrich), and is all in all very exciting and entertaining. This is a film you won't forget. This plot of this film, which was based on a play by Agatha Christie, is your basic courtroom drama: a series of witnesses testify about the murder of a wealthy widow. Tyrone Power plays the young man accused of the murder, Marlene Dietrich gives an amazing performance as the key witness in the case, and Charles Laughton plays the lawyer determined to unravel the mystery. This film has some terrific, very surprising, twists and turns, so to say any more about the plot would give too much away! Anyhow, this film is really suspenseful, captivating, and memorable. It's a true classic by the brilliant director Billy Wilder, and has been imitated countless times since its release. But no imitation has come close to the original, which is why this film is a must-see. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Nothing short of a triumph!
Review: Sir Wilfrid Robarts (played by Charles Laughton) is renown as one of the greatest barristers in England, but his failing health has placed him at the mercy of doctors, and in the clutches of an overbearing nurse (Elsa Lancaster). However, when he is introduced to Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), an innocent man on his way to the gallows, Sir Wilfrid decides to risk his health and use his jurisprudential skills to save Vole. A wrinkle in the case is Vole's surprisingly harsh wife (Marlene Dietrich), but fortunately a wife can never be used as a witness for the prosecution. [Black-and-white, released in 1957, with a running time of 1:56.] This movie is based on Agatha Christie's 1933 book with the same title, and is nothing short of a triumph! The three main actors of the movie (Laughton, Power and Dietrich) put on a wonderful performance, making this movie gripping from start to finish. Plus, as a fan of John Mortimer's Rumpole of the Bailey books, I must say that I liked the setting. (I do believe that any Rumpole fan will also adore this movie.) So, if you are interested in courtroom drama, classic movies and great acting, and want a movie that is all three, then you must get this DVD!
Rating:
Summary: A Mystery Masterpiece
Review: Take A top notch story, (Agatha Cristie) add a Great director, (Billy Wilder) mix in three great performances from three great stars (Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, & Tyrone Power)and sprinkle in fine supporting performances by some of the best character actors of the time (well some of my favorate anyway Elsa Lancaster, Henery Daniell, Una O'Conner, & Ian Wolfe) and you have the recipe for a picture as great and powerful as any ever made. Buy it! Rent it! whatever but SEE IT!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie
Review: The only reason I watched this movie was Marlene Dietrich. But once the story gets going all the rest is very compelling. If you love courtroom dramas this is a great original. Marlene looks great in the flashback, with long hair, and with pants. She's just priceless at the end when she uncovers her disguise to Charles Laughton ("HOw about a kiss....?"), with expressions of the face she only can do. Fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: it has no match
Review: The only time I have ever watched Witness for the Prosecution was when we watched it in Literature class. I found it to be very compelling. Even though it was black and white and made in 1957 I would have to say that it was one of the best movies I have ever seen, along with White Christmas, Brigadoon, Singing in the Rain, South Pacific, and Gaslight. I am one who happens to love mysteries and this one enthralled me to the very end. I think its one of those movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll. I would definetly recommend this movie to any mystery lover or to someone who is looking for a suspensful movie to enjoy. One of the things I especially liked about this movie was the recollection scenes-that part of the movie really helped me follow the movie easier. My two favorite characters were Sir Wilfred and his nurse. I believe I liked Sir Wilfred because of his cleverness to smuggle things such as brandy and cigars without his nurse noticing or catching him in the process. Also, one other reason might be that I admired his dedication to his work and client. Even when he was in a poor state of health, he agreed (after much prodding) to take the case for Mr. Vole and then later took the case for Mrs. Vole instead of his vacation in Bermuda. I like the nurse because she was persistent and always looking out for the good of her patient. Even though she didn't miss much such as the brandy and cigars, she was never down in spirit and always kept a positive attitude when Sir Wilfred would tell her to shut up or that she could talk the legs off a donkey. This movie was a true murder msytery that never gave a hint of who the killer really was until the very, very end. I found it especially interesting that the only witness who could help either side of the case was the defendant's wife. To me the biggest surprise in the movie was the fact that a lot of things went on without your knowing it and you didn't get a clue about them until the end. I find that in most movies they let on a little about what's going on so you can see everything that's happening, but not in this movie. In this movie you didn't have a clue about the truth until it came out in the end. This movie had, acorrding to my parents, a very good cast with lots of famous actors; but I found from just watching the movie that it had a great cast-famous or not famous.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: The word brilliance cannot be avoided in describing this film. The plot, acting, direction, editing etc is simply brilliant. It is definitely one of the greatest films of all time and is worth seeing repeatedly.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling all round performance.
Review: They don't make films like this anymore. Sadly! I wish they did. Dietrich and Laughton spar brilliantly, the whole script is beautifully crafted and the acting of a very high standard throughout. I've watched this film a dozen times and still love it. There's one unintentionally funny moment that I'm astonished wasn't picked up by the continuity department: When Tyrone Power leans forward in the witness box and is filmed from behind you get to see the outline of the corset he is wearing to give him a figure. Dietrich is at her most persuasive as the formidable Christine.
Rating:
Summary: Men!
Review: This is a rate study in obsessive and possessive "love". The trail this movie leads us on, from beginning to end, is thrilling. And, just when we think the ending will be "predictable" and everything will work out - we get a surprise twist of an ending, with a "justified" sentence for the cad. Tyrone Power is such a handsome and believable no-good-nick! Marlene Dietrich: intelligent, loyal, devoted, passionate, pathetic and intense with no limits. Charles Laughton, amusingly tintilated by this remarkable woman. Great movie! One of my favorites!!
Rating:
Summary: Charles Laughton steals the show
Review: This is an excellent film, boasting the best courtroom scene of any movie. Dietrich gives a marvelous and richly-textured performance. This is her finest screen work since "Der Blaue Engel" in 1930. But the film belongs entirely to Charles Laughton, who gives a performance for the ages. Along with Spencer Tracy, Laughton is probably the greatest screen actor and he proves it beyond any doubt here. Laughton brilliantly mixes comedy with drama as Sir Wilfred, aided by his real-life wife, ELsa Lancaster. His interplay with her is hilarious. The ending is one of the greatest surprise finales ever done. The only criticism is Tyrone Power, who is completely outclassed in the acting department by both Dietrich and especially Laughton. Notice his over-acting and screaming as he stands accused in the witness box. Watch Laughton throughout the movie for a tutorial on positively memerizing acting talent. A great film with a stand-out performance.
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