A pure, simple and stirring masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (8 June 2008)

12 Angry Men (1957)
Number 1 - 1957
Top 5 - 1950s
Top 50 - All Time
12 Angry Men is a simple but extraordinary film; it begins in a court of law where the judge reminds the jury at the end of the case that this is murder in the first degree and if the young man is found guilty he will fry on the electric chair. The rest of the film takes place in a jury room where disagreements, powerful arguments and strong points from the 12 jurors are made.
At the beginning, it is decided that a preliminary vote should be taken to see where everything stands; 11 vote Guilty, but Henry Fonda votes 'Not Guilty' because he is not sure - this man respects the notion of reasonable doubt and he is willing to discuss before sending the man to the electric chair. The accused is actually a young kid (18 years of age) from the slums and many jurors immediately condemn him because of his breed and branding such people as 'liars and murderers'. Although Fonda meets stiff opposition at the beginning, opinions swing here and there until the very end where Lee. J Cobb brakes down shouting 'Not Guilty'.
It is rare to see a film so simple yet so stirring and poignant in its meaning and value. What this film exposes so successfully is how the lives of men lie in the hands of 12 random people many who may just want to finish and go home, refuse to look at the evidence in a balanced way or more frighteningly be overpowered by personal prejudices and thus voting 'Guilty'. While great cinema, 12 Angry Men makes some great points about the judicial system in our democratic nations.
Powerful performances from a variety of actors some unknown, great direction by Sidney Lumet and a very strong script, which is basically the backbone of this film.
One of the greatest films of all time.
10/10