One of the best.

Rating: Null/10 (10 January 2003)

This is certainly moviemaking reduced to its simple and best elements. Nothing elaborate set-wise, or costuming, and no gee-whiz special effects. Just excellent screenplay, directing, and acting.
The cast is very, very special. Their chemistry is all the more remarkable for the diversity of the people and the personalities brought into conflict over the need to reach a verdict in a seemingly simple, open-and-shut case that proves to be a bit more enigmatic and complex than what appears at first glance. Only one of the cast is a bona fide superstar. The rest are character actors, but of exceptional quality, and they all hold their own in comparison to Fonda's performance, which is its usual top-notch quality.
Movie fans will recognize many familiar faces. A youthful-looking Jack Klugman turns in a surprisingly good effort as an up-from-the-streets juror who makes important contributions to the deliberations. Others have noted the strong performance of Lee J. Cobb, whose initially overbearing and confrontational but ultimately quasi-tragic character elicits both disdain and sympathy from the viewer. I also liked E. G. Marshall's character as the last guilty vote holdout along with Cobb's character, but is ultimately convinced to vote not guilty. His conversion is simply and quietly but powerfully expressed, "I'm convinced. I now have a reasonable doubt...", and he holds his ground against Cobb's protestations. A nod also goes to Martin Balsam as the patient but often exasperated jury foreman.
Fans of classic movies should definitely consider adding this to their collection. I have the remastered DVD version and it is a visual treat "in glorious black-and-white", which fits the scenery and tension of the jury room perfectly.