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Witness for the Prosecution ()

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A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
  • Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations.
  • See more »
Reviews:

Photos and Videos

287 photos | 1 video

Cast verified as complete

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Leonard Vole
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Christine
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Sir Wilfrid Robarts
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Miss Plimsoll
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Brogan-Moore
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Mayhew
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Carter
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Mr. Myers
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Mrs. Emily Jane French
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Janet MacKenzie
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Judge
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Inspector Hearne
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Diana
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patrick Aherne ...
Court Officer (uncredited)
Don Ames ...
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Walter Bacon ...
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Benjie Bancroft ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
John Barton ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Brandon Beach ...
Juror (uncredited)
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Juror (uncredited)
Arline Bletcher ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Danny Borzage ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Tex Brodus ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Barrister (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Oliver Cross ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Harry Denny ...
Juror (uncredited)
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Courtoom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Miss O'Brien (uncredited)
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Juror (uncredited)
Ella Ethridge ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Barrister (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Joe Gilbert ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Marion Gray ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Art Howard ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Cafe Patron (uncredited)
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Jury Foreman (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Jeanne Lafayette ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Robert Locke Lorraine ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Thomas Martin ...
Bailiff (uncredited)
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Court Officer (uncredited)
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Bailiff (uncredited)
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Miss Johnson (uncredited)
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Barrister (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Shorts Salesman (uncredited)
George Pelling ...
Minor Role (uncredited)
Paul Power ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Doctor (uncredited)
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Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Juror (uncredited)
Anthony Redondo ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Hat Shop Saleslady (uncredited)
Al Roberts ...
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Molly Roden ...
Miss McHugh (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Buck Russell ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Clerk at Old Bailey (uncredited)
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Spotlight Operator in German Cafe (uncredited)
Bill Scully ...
Bailiff (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Lucile Sewall ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Leslie Sketchley ...
Bailiff (uncredited)
Edna Smith ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Cap Somers ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Arthur Tovey ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Glen Walters ...
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Barrister Reading Charges (uncredited)

Directed by

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Billy Wilder

Written by

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Agatha Christie ... (in Agatha Christie's international stage success)
 
Billy Wilder ... (screen play) and
Harry Kurnitz ... (screen play)
 
Lawrence B. Marcus ... (adaptation) (as Larry Marcus)

Produced by

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Arthur Hornblow Jr. ... producer
Edward Small ... executive producer (uncredited)

Music by

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Matty Malneck ... (musical score)

Cinematography by

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Russell Harlan ... director of photography

Editing by

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Daniel Mandell ... film editor

Art Direction by

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Alexandre Trauner

Set Decoration by

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Howard Bristol

Makeup Department

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Nellie Manley ... hairdresser
Gustaf Norin ... makeup
Helene Parrish ... hairdresser
Harry Ray ... makeup
Ray Sebastian ... makeup
Charles Gemora ... makeup artist: Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
Wally Westmore ... makeup artist: Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)

Production Management

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Ben Hersh ... production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

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Emmett Emerson ... assistant director
Frank Losee ... second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department

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Stanley Detlie ... property master

Sound Department

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Fred Lau ... sound

Special Effects by

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Lee Zavitz ... special effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

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Madison S. Lacy ... stills photographer (uncredited)

Casting Department

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William Maybery ... casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

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Edith Head ... costumes: Marlene Dietrich
Joe King ... costumer (as Joseph King)
Adele Parmenter ... costumes (uncredited)

Music Department

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Ernest Gold ... conductor
Leonid Raab ... music arranger

Script and Continuity Department

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John Franco ... script supervisor

Additional Crew

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Doane Harrison ... production associate
Edward Small ... presenter
Basil Bleck ... technical advisor (uncredited)
Jack Cooper ... publicity director (uncredited)
Noël Coward ... dialogue director (uncredited)
Bert Steiner ... dialogue director (uncredited)
Crew verified as complete

Production Companies

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Distributors

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Special Effects

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Other Companies

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Storyline

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Plot Summary

Ailing barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts is thrust back into the courtroom in what becomes one of the most unusual and eventful murder cases of the lawyer's career when he finds himself defending Leonard Vole, a man being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman. With Robarts choosing to represent him, the two find themselves up against Leonard's cold-hearted wife, Christine - who, in a surprising turn of events, chooses to appear in court against her husband. Written by Kyle Perez

Plot Keywords
Taglines The most electrifying entertainment of our time! See more »
Genres
Parents Guide View content advisory »
Certification

Additional Details

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Also Known As
  • Témoin à charge (France)
  • Zeugin der Anklage (Germany)
  • Testimoni de càrrec (Spain, Catalan title)
  • Testigo de cargo (Spain)
  • 控方证人 (China, Mandarin title)
  • See more »
Runtime
  • 116 min
Country
Language
Color
Aspect Ratio
Sound Mix
Filming Locations

Box Office

Budget $3,000,000 (estimated)
Cumulative Worldwide Gross $16,350,000

Did You Know?

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Trivia Charles Laughton, who could be moody and difficult, was apparently a dream to work with, throwing himself into the role with dedication and delight. Billy Wilder later recalled a day that was set aside just for shooting reaction shots of the jury and courtroom crowd (composed of extras hired only for the day). Normally, the assistant director would read the actors' lines, and the extras would react. However, Laughton, who was fascinated with the whole process of filmmaking, begged to help. So he came in on his day off and read all of the off-camera speeches for the jury members. He not only read his part but also the judge's, the prosecutor's, and even Marlene Dietrich's. According to biographer Maurice Zolotow in his book "Billy Wilder in Hollywood", "it was an exhibition of craftsmanship such as Wilder had never seen. He believes that Charles Laughton had the greatest technical range and power of any actor, man or woman, whom he has known." See more »
Goofs Whilst the story is set in London, the script contains several Americanisms such as "cot" for bed, "banana peel" for banana skin, "travel bureau" for travel agents, "roll up" for open, "movie" for film and "Scotch" for Scottish. Whilst some may be intentional, it is odd that Sir Wilfrid or Mrs French would use such colloquialisms. Conversely the US-accented Leonard uses the correct UK "quid" with reference to money. See more »
Movie Connections Featured in Marlene (1984). See more »
Soundtracks I May Never Go Home Anymore See more »
Crazy Credits As the end credits appear on screen, an announcer's voice is heard: "The management of this theater suggests that for the greater entertainment of your friends who have not yet seen the picture you will not divulge to anyone the secret of the ending of Witness for the Prosecution." See more »
Quotes Sir Wilfrid: [getting progressively more agitated] The question is, Frau Helm, were you lying then, are you lying now, or are you not in fact a chronic and habitual LIAR!
See more »
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