A classic--with a classic flaw

Rating: 7/10 (28 December 2006)

The flaw in this classic was pointed out by a reviewer on 3 September 2005, when he pointed out that in the real world juries are not permitted to conduct their own experiments or consider evidence not presented in court.
At the same time, as another reviewer pointed out on 21 December 2006, had the jurors acted according to the correct legal procedure there would have been no basis for the plot and we thus would have missed an excellent movie.
Nevertheless, every time I see this film I can't help but think of the cases I've read of where jury verdicts were set aside because of this very sort of activity.
Suggestions that this film should be seen by every prospective juror are, I think, treading on shaky legal ground.
As entertainment--setting aside the weight of the film's overdone political correctness quotient--I agree with most comments: it is riveting. But I don't think it should be held up as an example for real juries.