An absolutely important courtroom drama that was way ahead of its time

Rating: 8/10 (30 March 2020)

In spite of being recommended multiple times, I only got to watch this masterpiece during the months of quarantine in 2020 and I was really surprised. Alongside being a masterfully crafted film, the most important aspect was how this film was way ahead for its time being released in 1957.
It follows the tension between 12 jurors locked in a room who must arrive at a unanimous decision to convict an 18 year old who is accused of murdering his own father that at the first glance looks like an open and shut case. However, when one of them decides the other way, each one must face their own prejudices and moral burdens as reality is put into trial. It deals with multiple themes. most importantly the idea of democracy, racism, xenophobia and the dangers of preconceived ideas. The screenplay is sharp and the tension between the characters keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the film. What results is a rare courtroom drama that takes outside of the court but creates more impact than a lot of new age courtroom films.