Witness for the Prosecution Reviews

Since this movie has a very good reputation, I was really eager to check it out. Eventually, I wasn't disappointed. To be honest, I was a little bit worried at first because there were too many jokes for my taste but I was soon won over by Charles Laughton's marvelous performance. Indeed, I kept hearing so many great things about this thespian but, after watching this flick, I'm convinced the guy really deserved this impressive reputation. Indeed, even though Marleen Dietrich had maybe the more showy part, I think he was actually the one caring the whole thing with possibly the best performance of a lawyer I have ever seen. Indeed, not only this character was funny, smart and witty but I really had the feeling I was watching a great lawyer and not a fictional character. Concerning the story, it was quite fascinating and really entertaining but, in my opinion, the ending prevented the whole thing from being really great. Sure, it is now considered as one of the greatest twists but, in my opinion, it was actually rather far-fetched and didn't really match the rest of the movie which was quite realistic. Still, it remains one of the best courtroom dramas ever conceived, it is a classic and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

I have always been very partial to films with a surprise ending and "Witness for the Prosecution" has a real stunner. I also enjoy courtroom dramas and this is one of the best. Add to this great performances by a exemplary cast and one of my favourite directors Billy Wilder (who also co-wrote the screenplay) and you can't lose! Charles Laughton's performance alone makes the film well worth seeing. "Witness for the Prosecution" is from a play by Agatha Christie but it also has the feel of Hitchcock about it. Tyrone Power plays Leonard Vole who is the prime suspect in the murder of a lonely wealthy widow Emily Jane French (Norma Varden). Charles Laughton is Sir Wilfrid Robarts - a most distinguished and respected London barrister - who takes on the difficult task of defending Vole. He is reluctant to accept the case at first but then becomes intrigued with the complexities of the murder and can't make up his mind whether Vole is innocent or guilty. Vole's only hope is the testimony of his wife (Marlene Dietrich) but his airtight alibi falls apart when she reveals some shocking secrets of her own. The film will keep you glued to the edge of your seat with many red herrings, plot twists, double crosses and surprises galore. In one scene Vole tells Mrs French that the film they go to see at a visit to the cinema is about the famous outlaw Jesse James. This was probably an "in joke" as Power had played the title role in "Jesse James" (1939). William Holden was first choice for the part of Leonard Vole but was unavailable. Other actors considered included Kirk Douglas, Gene Kelly, Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon. Eventually Tyrone Power accepted the part when he was offered $300,000. This was sadly Tyrone Power's last film who died shortly after its completion.
Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth were both approached to play Christine Helm but the role went to Marlene Dietrich. The film was remade in colour as a TV movie in 1984 with Ralph Richardson, Beau Bridges and Diana Rigg.
Favourite lines:
Tyrone Power: "But this is England, where I thought you never arrest, let alone convict, people for crimes they have not committed".
Charles Laughton: "I am constantly surprised that women's hats do not provoke more murders".
Elsa Lanchester: "Wilfrid the Fox! That's what they call him, and that's what he is!".
Elsa Lanchester: "Sir Wilfrid, you forgot your brandy!". (closing line).