Summary Capsule
There are men. Twelve of them. And they are angry.
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, 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.
12 Angry Men is a 50s adaption of a 50s 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, 12 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 "guiltys" and the "not guiltys", 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).
 1957 Rated NR Courtroom Thriller Director
Starring
|
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."
The Movie Store!
12 Angry Men: Movie [VHS]
12 Angry Men: Movie [DVD]
Intermission!
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?
If you liked this movie, try these:
A Few Good Men
Murder In The First
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
