Witness for the Prosecution

Name: Witness for the Prosecution
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Crime
Released: 1957-12-17
Cast: Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, John Williams

1957 | 116 min | Drama, Mystery, Crime

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences adore it (8.2 out of 10), it collected a shelf of major awards and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved 12 Angry Men, start here.
The mood: Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 56 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1957: an older pace and style.

An ailing barrister 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 a man being tried for the murder of a socialite.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesVery strong
8.2 out of 10
AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. Also nominated for 6 Oscars, 4 more Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA. Plus 2 other awards.
Box office & staying powerSolid
$9 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 221K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

Cast & crew

Directed by Billy Wilder

Tyrone PowerLeonard Vole
Marlene DietrichChristine
Charles LaughtonSir Wilfrid
Elsa LanchesterMiss Plimsoll
John WilliamsBrogan-Moore
Henry DaniellMayhew
Ian WolfeCarter
Torin ThatcherMr. Myers
Norma VardenMrs. French
Una O'ConnorJanet