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Poster for Anatomy of a Murder

Anatomy of a Murder

Seen it?

1959 | 161 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), it collected a shelf of major awards, audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10) 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 Primal Fear or Gone Girl, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 41 min.
What might put you off
  • It's long: 2 hr 41 min.
  • Made in 1959: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.8 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 1 Venice award: Venice International Film Festival: Best Actor. Also nominated for 7 Oscars, 4 Golden Globes and 3 BAFTAs. Plus 10 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $8 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 216K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Otto Preminger

  • James StewartPaul Biegler
  • Lee RemickLaura Manion
  • Ben GazzaraLt. Frederick Manion
  • Arthur O'ConnellParnell Emmett McCarthy
  • Eve ArdenMaida Rutledge
  • Kathryn GrantMary Pilant
  • George C. ScottClaude Dancer
  • Orson BeanDr. Matthew Smith
  • Russ BrownGeorge Lemon
  • Murray HamiltonAlphonse Paquette