X
- 1958
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
- 1958
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
Summary A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.
Directed By: Billy Wilder
- 1958
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
- 1958
- Approved
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
Witness for the Prosecution
76
8.5
Where to Watch
Summary A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
76
83% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
17% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
76
83% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
17% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Dietrich steals it. WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION is a witty, terse adaptation of the Agatha Christie hit play brought to the screen with ingenuity and vitality by Billy Wilder.
The courtroom scenes are terrific, with brittle dialogue expertly delivered. And
Wilder milks Christie's surprise denouement for all it's worth. [21 Nov 1986, p.92]
This illustrious courtroom drama, adapted from an Agatha Christie play, is directed by Billy Wilder, who wisely stands back and allows Charles Laughton to give one of his gloriously hammy performances as a barrister hired to defend Tyrone Power on a murder charge. Marlene Dietrich is also excellent as the accused's wife.
Marlene Dietrich tries not to give anything away as usual while Agatha Christie's whodunit plot whirs tidily about her expressionless beauty.
While not amongst the greater, more celebrated titles in Billy Wilder’s acclaimed filmography, his big screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution boasts a fine, scenery-chewing performance by Charles Laughton, here playing a cantankerous barrister defending a murder suspect.
A courtroom meller played engagingly and building evenly to a surprising and arousing, albeit tricked-up, climax, Witness for the Prosecution has been transferred to the screen (from the Agatha Christie click play) with competence.
Billy Wilder's inane yet moderately entertaining version of an Agatha Christie courtroom thriller, with Charles Laughton wiggling his wattles.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 17 User Ratings
8.5
100% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 17 User Ratings
8.5
100% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 6 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
Laurel Awards
• 2 Nominations
