Witness For the Prosecution
starring: Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, John Williams
directed by: Billy Wilder
directed by: Billy Wilder
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Product Description:
Studio: Tcfhe/mgmRelease Date: 05/20/2008Run time: 116 minutesRating: Nr
Amazon.com essential video:
Billy Wilder cowrote and directed this brilliant 1957 mystery based on Agatha Christie's celebrated play about an aging London barrister (Charles Laughton) who's preparing to retire when he takes the defense in the most vexing murder case of his distinguished career. In his final completed film (he died of a heart attack less than a year later), Tyrone Power plays the prime suspect in the murder of a wealthy widow, and Marlene Dietrich plays the wife of the accused, whose testimony--and true identity--holds the key to solving the case. A classic of courtroom suspense, Witness for the Prosecution is one of those movies with enough double-crossing twists to keep the viewer guessing right up to the very end, when yet another surprise is deftly revealed. This being a Billy Wilder film, the dialogue is first-rate and the acting superb, with both Laughton and his offscreen wife Elsa Lanchester (playing the barrister's pesty nurse) winning Academy Awards for their performances. Although later films would concoct even more complicated courtroom scenarios, this remains one of the best films of its kind and a model for all those films that followed its lead. --Jeff Shannon
Studio: Tcfhe/mgmRelease Date: 05/20/2008Run time: 116 minutesRating: Nr
Amazon.com essential video:
Billy Wilder cowrote and directed this brilliant 1957 mystery based on Agatha Christie's celebrated play about an aging London barrister (Charles Laughton) who's preparing to retire when he takes the defense in the most vexing murder case of his distinguished career. In his final completed film (he died of a heart attack less than a year later), Tyrone Power plays the prime suspect in the murder of a wealthy widow, and Marlene Dietrich plays the wife of the accused, whose testimony--and true identity--holds the key to solving the case. A classic of courtroom suspense, Witness for the Prosecution is one of those movies with enough double-crossing twists to keep the viewer guessing right up to the very end, when yet another surprise is deftly revealed. This being a Billy Wilder film, the dialogue is first-rate and the acting superb, with both Laughton and his offscreen wife Elsa Lanchester (playing the barrister's pesty nurse) winning Academy Awards for their performances. Although later films would concoct even more complicated courtroom scenarios, this remains one of the best films of its kind and a model for all those films that followed its lead. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - excellent vintage entertainment
Bought this to show my teenagers that some oldies are excellent.They couldn't believe the sharp (sarcastic) humor from Laughton's character.Lots of plot twists and turns.Good family entertainment for 12+.Black and white.
Rating: - Wilder a talent director
Wilder is really in my opinion oneof the best and talented director's i 've ever seen.His capacity to write an script, to translate his ideas into a cinematographer languageis brilliant.The election of the performers was made with great accuracy,power is a versatile actor and mrs Dietrich is magnetic
Laughton is a remarkable british performer who combineswith the whole enterprise
Rating: 
- Classic movie
This movie is one of Agatha Cristie's best plays.
This version is only faulted by the lead Tyrone Power
not seem as British as he probably should. Marlene Dietrich
and Charles Laughton are both very good.
I liked it even seeing for at least the second time
having forgotten the strange ending.
Rating: - They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To!
Sometimes justice is served, and never in so entertaining a manner. The cast and acting in this film are first rate and there are some twists and turns in the plot which really make it fun. If you're tired of car chases and explosions try this one on for size. It's a blast from the past!
Rating: - Witness For the Prosecution
This is one of the all time greatest murder mystery movies I've ever seen. It has a phenomenal cast. I don't want to give anything away with details of the story, but suffice it to say this is a "must-see" for all murder mystery lovers, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
- excellent vintage entertainmentBought this to show my teenagers that some oldies are excellent.They couldn't believe the sharp (sarcastic) humor from Laughton's character.Lots of plot twists and turns.Good family entertainment for 12+.Black and white.
- Wilder a talent directorWilder is really in my opinion oneof the best and talented director's i 've ever seen.His capacity to write an script, to translate his ideas into a cinematographer languageis brilliant.The election of the performers was made with great accuracy,power is a versatile actor and mrs Dietrich is magnetic
Laughton is a remarkable british performer who combineswith the whole enterprise
- Classic movieThis movie is one of Agatha Cristie's best plays.
This version is only faulted by the lead Tyrone Power
not seem as British as he probably should. Marlene Dietrich
and Charles Laughton are both very good.
I liked it even seeing for at least the second time
having forgotten the strange ending.
- They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To!Sometimes justice is served, and never in so entertaining a manner. The cast and acting in this film are first rate and there are some twists and turns in the plot which really make it fun. If you're tired of car chases and explosions try this one on for size. It's a blast from the past!
- Witness For the ProsecutionThis is one of the all time greatest murder mystery movies I've ever seen. It has a phenomenal cast. I don't want to give anything away with details of the story, but suffice it to say this is a "must-see" for all murder mystery lovers, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
