12 Angry Men

Name: 12 Angry Men
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: April 1, 1957
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 96
Cast: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb

1957

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 393 Ratings

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9.3

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9.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 393 Ratings

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12 Angry Men

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: April 1, 1957 | TV-PG

Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb

Summary: 12 Angry Men, by Sidney Lumet, is a behind-closed-doors look at the American legal system. This iconic adaptation of Reginald Rose’s teleplay stars Henry Fonda as the dissenting member on a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on a Puerto Rican teenager charged with murdering his father. The result is a saga of epic proportions that12 Angry Men, by Sidney Lumet, is a behind-closed-doors look at the American legal system. This iconic adaptation of Reginald Rose’s teleplay stars Henry Fonda as the dissenting member on a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on a Puerto Rican teenager charged with murdering his father. The result is a saga of epic proportions that plays out over a tense afternoon in one sweltering room.… Expand

Director: Sidney Lumet

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: TV-PG

Runtime: 96 min

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Metascore

Positive:

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

The movie plays like a textbook for directors interested in how lens choices affect mood. Read full review

100

Glenn Heath Jr.

What's most interesting about the intense deliberations that ensue, specifically when a piece of seemingly indisputable evidence is brought back into question, is how a fresh angle and perspective, usually born from Juror 8's critical thinking, can permanently alter the tone of the discussion. Read full review

100

William Thomas

Sidney Lumet's dazzling debut, based on Reginald Rose's teleplay, delivers a masterclass in the pure dynamism of acting, as Henry Fonda's reasonable doubt gradually sways the 11 other jurors from their various prejudices. Read full review

100

A.H. Weller

A penetrating, sensitive, and sometimes shocking dissection of the hearts and minds of men who obviously are something less than gods. It makes for taut, absorbing, and compelling drama that reaches far beyond the close confines of its jury room setting. Read full review

Time Out London Geoff Andrew

What really transforms the piece from a rather talky demonstration that a man is innocent until proven guilty, is the consistently taut, sweltering atmosphere, created largely by Boris Kaufman's excellent camerawork. The result, however devoid of action, is a strangely realistic thriller. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Perhaps the motivations of each juror are introduced too quickly and are repeated too often before each changes his vote. However, the film leaves a tremendous impact. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Mechanically written, but within its own middlebrow limitations, it delivers the goods. Read full review

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User Reviews

MartyMcFly

Oct 2, 2018

My score 100
Metascore / User score 96 / 94
Tomatometer / Audience score 100 / 97
IMDB 89
(96)

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MattBrady99

Dec 19, 2017

The power of movie dialogue really makes this movie a true classic.

The story to 12 Angry Men is one man on a jury stands alone in a case in which most are initially convinced one way but one by one may be convinced another way. 12 men in one room just talking about one murder case andThe power of movie dialogue really makes this movie a true classic.

The story to 12 Angry Men is one man on a jury stands alone in a case in which most are initially convinced one way but one by one may be convinced another way.

12 men in one room just talking about one murder case and them sharing they opinions if the person that may have committed murder is guilty or not, now many things here could have went wrong, you got to have the best writer, the best director and the best actors to make this movie work and it payed off so well and I think this is cinema's greatest risk of doing something new with the story, giving it a twist and a edge and 12 Angry Men paid off brilliantly.

The acting from every singe actor in this movie all do realistic, believable, funny and serious performance's and they all add a lot of weight and drama to their character's. I wish I can bring up every single actors name in this cast but I'm not since these 12 of them and it's going to take up the all page and I can't talk about every singe actor and go into detail about them one at a time, but I can say that everyone in the movie did a flawless work of acting that's pure Oscar worthy and the kind of drama acting they should show kids in drama school. Nicely done fellas.

Sidney Lumet directed this movie and this has to be some of the best directing I've seen from this guy. He really added a lot to this movie when it came to story and characters and the back and forward they have with each other and it worked by his direction.

The characters in the movie (The Twelve Angry Men) don't really like each that much as in every scene they at each other's throat trying to confidence the other men in the room that the man is guilty for murder while that person and the other's bring up some really solid points that this man is guilty or not guilty for murder. As a viewer myself I got really interested in the case and trying to think if he's guilty or not, so this movie does a fantastic job of giving the viewer a opinion on the case and see if you think he did it or not.

For problems with the movie: I don't have any.

Overall 12 Angry Men is such a classic movie with excellent performances from everyone, the writing outstanding and the directing was some of the best. You haven't seen 12 Angry Men then I say go see it, it's worth your time.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

juancordero

Dec 14, 2018

This film is, without any doubt, a masterpiece and one of the best films of all time. It is undoubtedly a must-see movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

gracjanski

Apr 12, 2020

Classic movie with a very intelligent plot about the US court system and great dialogues. Everyone who loves movie should see this film.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Shonnakan

Aug 3, 2020

12 angry men is basically a courtroom drama with diverse characters, brilliant screenplay, and a tight script-making it a flawless thrillride.The movie is about 12 people trying to decide whether a boy is guilty or not. It ultimately teaches us about the value of human life.It is perfect12 angry men is basically a courtroom drama with diverse characters, brilliant screenplay, and a tight script-making it a flawless thrillride.The movie is about 12 people trying to decide whether a boy is guilty or not. It ultimately teaches us about the value of human life.It is perfect movie for me - a movie without any flows .… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

AndrewHord

May 29, 2020

Utterly spectacular film.It is about responsibility to all of us.Film tells us how it is bad to be apolitical .

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

GoofyGiggles23

Sep 8, 2020

This is the worst movie off all time. There aren't any explosions, there aren't any guns, and lastly the movie is in black and white!!! What, do they think i'm some old Granny who is going to watch something without color? Hell no!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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