Mutant Reviewers from Hell do
"Supposin' you talk us all out of this and, uh, the kid really did knife his father?"

1957 NR / Trial Drama Directed by: Sidney Lumet Starring: Henry Fonda, Jack Warden, Ed Begley

Tagline

Life Is In Their Hands -- Death Is On Their Minds!

Summary Capsule

There are men. Twelve of them. And they are angry.

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Justin's Rating: I find this film GUILTY... of being entertaining!
Justin's Review: Going back to see a movie "classic" can be a tough thing. After all, my generation was bred on snappy dialogue, quick cuts, spectacular stunts, mega stars, and identifiable pop culture references. Picking up a black and white from the forties or fifties with stars that are either now decrepit or dead, pacing that's as slow as rush hour traffic, and references to a whole way of society that's long since gone... well, it's just not the first thing I go for at the video store. As with literature, I'll be honest enough to say that while there are a number of old classics that I have read and enjoyed, most of it frankly bores the heck out of me. My rule is this: I won't force myself to enjoy something just because people tell me I have to, just because "it's a classic." But I *will* take a closer look at something I previously judged as dull if people I respect recommend it to me. So that's why a lot of flicks that I never would've picked on my own end up on my movie list, and that's why I chose to watch 12 Angry Men last Thursday night instead of watching rich gay friends on NBC. It proved well worth my time.

"This theme of not bowing to popular opinion, when everyone is telling you that you're stupid and alone, yet you know you're right and can't betray yourself -- I think I admire this the most about the film."

12 Angry Men is a 50's adaption of a 50's play. I vaguely remember seeing a high school play version, but honestly how often do you find yourself going to friends, "Gee, remember the play from a couple years ago? Wasn't that a blast?" No, plays tend to vacate my mind rather quickly; they're more "live in the moment" or "nap through the moment" kind of experiences. So anyway, the set up is simple. You have twelve hot and sweaty jurors on a murder trial (which has just concluded as the beginning of the film), locked in a small room, debating the verdict. An 18-year-old kid with Bambi eyes is accused of stabbing his father to death, with overwhelming evidence stacked against him. Open and shut case. So everyone thinks... with the exception of one man.

The majority of the film takes place inside a sauna pit of a boardroom. It's the whitest group of males you'll ever see, but on closer examination, there's quite a variety in the bunch. If you get really bored watching this, make a game of watching their sweat stains grow and retreat over the course of the film. Aside from a slow first few ten minutes or so (I've never been a big fan of plays that feel the need to sketch out characters thouroughly before any action occurs), I doubt you'd be bored. I can't properly express the feelings 12 Angry Men pulled out of me, but there was a lot of tension, suspense, and wide-eyed fascination as things unravel.

And unravel they do. While the characters and setting might be slightly archaic, it's really not as dated as you'd think. In fact, twelve very opinionated guys disagreeing on everything without any noticable results... well, that's a college project group to me. Who hasn't known a loud-mouthed brute who uses his (or her) sheer bellow to get their way? Or a meek yet frustrated nerd, or a jokester that just can't get serious, or the silent thinker in the corner, or the prejudiced jerk? Sure, it's kind of funny to see a big deal made out of prejudice against teens (as some sort of ultimate menace of the era), but make a mental adjustment to bring it up to our times, and the discrimination exists the same.

As one man (Henry Fonda) sets out to prove that there is "reasonable doubt" in the case, he stands alone, not even sure why he disagrees. He's just certain that something is a bit off about the case. This theme of not bowing to popular opinion, when everyone is telling you that you're stupid and alone, yet you know you're right and can't betray yourself -- I think I admire this the most about the film. We've all been there, and so many times we took the easy (and perhaps the wrong) way out. But Henry Fonda holds his ground, and the debate begins. Every new vote reveals the "guilty's" and the "not guilty's", jacking up the tension to near-unbearable levels. Nothing about the ending comes as a shocking twist of a surprise, but it still pays off in a quiet but tremendous climax. I don't know what kind of mood you need to be in to see 12 Angry Men, but young and old alike should gather at the glowing tube to share in a classic of civilization as we know it (naturally, not that "Atlantian" civilization... those perverts).

Drew's Rating: 12 angry men, 12 great performances.

Drew's Review: I am an optimist. That may come as a surprise to those of you who remember my scathing reviews of It's A Wonderful Life or A Chipmunk Adventure, but it's true. I'm not blind to the fact that many people do horrible, disgusting things to each other out of ignorance or fear or jealousy. But I also believe that most people are inherently good at heart, and if given half a chance and there's nothing good on TV, will try to act accordingly. I honestly believe that.

"And who knows, you just might walk away with a few thoughts of your own - positive or negative - about the American legal system."

But I also believe that people are flawed creatures who often think we know more than we really do. It's human nature - we like feeling smart, and we like feeling in control. And so do the members of the jury depicted in this film, who've just heard a murder trial and have to decide whether they're sure enough of his guilt to send an 18-year-old boy to the electric chair. Most seem quite sure enough indeed, but a lone holdout, Juror #8, isn't convinced. He freely admits that the kid might be guilty, but there are a few points still bothering him… and so begins our movie. Before it's over tempers will fray, prejudices will be laid bare, and switchblades will be shoved into tables. And who knows, you just might walk away with a few thoughts of your own - positive or negative - about the American legal system.

As Justin pointed out, this is an old film. I'm not one of those guys who claims that all old movies are outstanding and an over-reliance on special effects is ruining cinema, I mean what is this "Star Wars" crap anyway? But at the same time, I can respect what filmmakers were able to accomplish back in the day with limited resources, and 12 Angry Men is about as spartan as it gets. 12 actors, a room, a table and chairs, a couple of props. That's not a movie, it's a play, and it would be incredibly easy for an audience to get bored in such a setting. Instead, we're unequivocally gripped by the drama unfolding before us, all thanks to some tight cinematography and the talented cast spearheaded by Henry Fonda. As the one dissenter on an otherwise decided jury, Fonda has the unenviable task of making his character seem pensive and willing to stand his ground, but without coming across as contrary just for the sake of it. And to his credit, he succeeds: Juror #8 projects as compassionate without being sappy, earnest but not cloying, soft-spoken but secure in his convictions.

It's a great performance, but one man does not a film make, and that's where the rest of the actors come in. The worst thing you can say about the characters in 12 Angry Men is that they're a bit stereotypical - there's the old bigot, the meek bank clerk, the obnoxious sports fan, the hesitant but wise immigrant, etc. Part of that can be chalked up to our never finding out their names, since anyone whose name you don't know will naturally come to be defined by their primary personality trait. But even so, they can still surprise you… one of my favorite characters is Juror #4, who despite agreeing with them regarding the verdict, takes pains to distance himself from the bigot and the sadist at every opportunity. Speaking of whom, Lee J. Cobb is perhaps even more impressive in his role as the sadist (aka Juror #3) than Henry Fonda is as the voice of reason. Cobb's emotional outbursts and self-righteous anger play excellently off of Fonda's cool, logical approach to the proceedings.

Even if you're generally not a fan of older movies, I still urge you to check out 12 Angry Men. If it helps, think of it as the precursor to very dialogue-heavy modern films like Reservoir Dogs or Clerks. You may very well walk away feeling like it's the cat's ass; and if not, hey, at least you've gotten some valuable tips on how to get out of jury duty. Give it a shot, you can't go wrong.

"Whoa… get a load of that stenographer! She can transcribe my sentences any day, if you know what I mean." Well, that's ONE way to settle a hung jury. I like to think they're wondering "What the %&@# is he going to do with that knife?"

Didja Notice? [some sources: IMDb]

• Lee J. Cobb makes a reference to Man in the The Gray Flannel Suit. Both he and Joseph Sweeney (Juror #9) had roles in that movie.
• Juror 7 misspeaks when he says, "The kid is 5 for 0" -- he should have said "0 for 5."
• Nearly half of the jurors (John Fiedler, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam) would go on to appear in various episodes of The Twilight Zone.

Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?

Nope.

Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]

When first broadcast as a teleplay on TV's "Studio One" on 20 September 1954, the jurors were Norman Fell, John Beal, Franchot Tone, Walter Abel, Lee Philips, Bart Burns, Paul Hartman, Robert Cummings, Joseph Sweeney, Edward Arnold, George Voskovek, Will West. Joseph Sweeney and George Voskovek were the only two actors to reprise their roles for the film.

Groovy Quotes

Juror #6: Well, I'm not used to supposin'. I'm just a workin' man. My boss does all the supposin' -- but I'll try one. Supposin' you talk us all out of this and, uh, the kid really did knife his father?

Juror #2: It's hard to put into words. I just think he's guilty. I thought it was obvious from the word "Go." Nobody proved otherwise.
Juror #8: Nobody has to prove otherwise. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. The defendant doesn't even have to open his mouth. That's in the Constitution.

Juror #8: This phrase, how many times have all of us used it? Probably thousands. "I could kill you for that, darling." "Junior, you do that once more and I'm gonna kill you." "Get in there, Rocky, and kill him!" We say it every day. That doesn't mean we're going to kill anyone.
Juror #3: Wait a minute. What are you trying to give us here? The phrase was "I'm gonna kill you." The kid yelled it at the top of his lungs! Don't tell me he didn't mean it. Anybody says a thing like that the way he said it, they mean it!

Juror #3: What's the matter with you guys? You all know he's guilty. He's got to burn! You're letting him slip through our fingers!
Juror #8: Slip through our fingers? Are you his executioner?
Juror #3: I'm one of 'em!
Juror #8: Perhaps you'd like to pull the switch?
Juror #3: For this kid? You bet I would!
Juror #8: I feel sorry for you... what it must feel like to want to pull the switch. Ever since you walked into this room, you've been acting like a self-appointed public avenger. You want to see this boy die because you personally want it, not because of the facts. You're a sadist!
Juror #3: I'll kill him! I'LL KILL HIM!
Juror #8: You don't really mean you'll kill me, do you?

Juror #11: I beg pardon-
Juror #10: "I beg pardon"? What are you so polite about?
Juror #11: For the same reason you are not: it's the way I was brought up.

Juror #3: That business before when that tall guy, what's-his-name, was trying to bait me? That doesn't prove anything. I'm a pretty excitable person. I mean, where does he come off calling me a public avenger, sadist and everything? Anyone in his right mind would blow his stack. He was just trying to bait me.
Juror #4: He did an excellent job.

If you liked this movie, try these:

• Red Corner
• Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
• A Few Good Men