When George C. Scott tells the court that being in war, men becomes conditioned to kill, the urge to say you should know General Patton becomes second nature in this court drama that is way before it's time on several levels. It is one of the first films I've ever heard describe the details of a rape in graphic terms, and it must have been pretty shocking in 1959.
The film revolves around attorney James Stewart's reluctant taking on of Ben Gazzara's case of murdering the man who allegedly raped his wife. The beautiful Lee Remick must relive the horror as the prosecution, led by Brooks West with assistance by guest attorney Scott, seems to be determined to prove that something is being kept from the court and break the case of temporary insanity on Gazzara's behalf. As more information comes out on Remick's past, the doubts of her story take over the case.
Desperate for a case to make some money and pay his staff, Stewart can't afford to take this case but he also can't afford not to because of what he believes as far as the reasoning behind the murder. There's no doubt that Gazzara killed a man. The doubt comes from Remick's sincerity, a controversial subject then and now. Much of the court case surrounds the missing evidence of Remick's missing undergarments, which creates a bit of juvenile laughter in the courtroom.
In spite of the length of the film, this flows by with humor thanks to the irony of some of the things going on behind the scenes and in court. There's more to Eve Arden as Stewart's loyal assistant than the wisecracks as she works hard to aide Stewart in collecting necessary information for his defense. Arthur O'Connell, an aging attorney with a drinking problem, also figures prominently in the story as well, causing worry when he disappears for no reason.
Much of the cast were praised in this film season with various Award nominations even outside of the oscars, and Stewart, Scott and O'Connell did receive Oscar nominations. Scott, already well known for his stage and TV work smoothly moved into film with his calculating performance, his trademark grin prominently featured as he questions several witnesses in acerbic ways.
Leave it to Otto Preminger for bringing something as controversial like this to the screen. Only someone with his desire to present such situations in harsh realistic terms could dare to face the censors. Joseph N. Welch, a real life controversial attorney in the McCarthy trials, is superb as the judge taking the case, providing humor and frustration, and totally commanding and stealing the scene every time the camera flashes on him. This film is practically perfect in every way and will keep you gripped from beginning to end, one of the finest court dramas ever released in the cinema.
The film revolves around attorney James Stewart's reluctant taking on of Ben Gazzara's case of murdering the man who allegedly raped his wife. The beautiful Lee Remick must relive the horror as the prosecution, led by Brooks West with assistance by guest attorney Scott, seems to be determined to prove that something is being kept from the court and break the case of temporary insanity on Gazzara's behalf. As more information comes out on Remick's past, the doubts of her story take over the case.
Desperate for a case to make some money and pay his staff, Stewart can't afford to take this case but he also can't afford not to because of what he believes as far as the reasoning behind the murder. There's no doubt that Gazzara killed a man. The doubt comes from Remick's sincerity, a controversial subject then and now. Much of the court case surrounds the missing evidence of Remick's missing undergarments, which creates a bit of juvenile laughter in the courtroom.
In spite of the length of the film, this flows by with humor thanks to the irony of some of the things going on behind the scenes and in court. There's more to Eve Arden as Stewart's loyal assistant than the wisecracks as she works hard to aide Stewart in collecting necessary information for his defense. Arthur O'Connell, an aging attorney with a drinking problem, also figures prominently in the story as well, causing worry when he disappears for no reason.
Much of the cast were praised in this film season with various Award nominations even outside of the oscars, and Stewart, Scott and O'Connell did receive Oscar nominations. Scott, already well known for his stage and TV work smoothly moved into film with his calculating performance, his trademark grin prominently featured as he questions several witnesses in acerbic ways.
Leave it to Otto Preminger for bringing something as controversial like this to the screen. Only someone with his desire to present such situations in harsh realistic terms could dare to face the censors. Joseph N. Welch, a real life controversial attorney in the McCarthy trials, is superb as the judge taking the case, providing humor and frustration, and totally commanding and stealing the scene every time the camera flashes on him. This film is practically perfect in every way and will keep you gripped from beginning to end, one of the finest court dramas ever released in the cinema.