A classic!

Rating: 9/10 (13 May 2004)

** Here be spoilers **
A young boy is accused of murdering his father. Evidence strongly points to him. The jury is sent out to make a decision, and they must be unanimous. As they sit down to vote, there are eleven guilty and just one not guilty. One man has reasonable doubt that the young man is guilty. The jury start to discuss the evidence at hand. Tempers flare, people shout and in general, the room contains twelve angry men.
This is a masterpiece. A little slow at start but rapidly catching up, and most of the movie is very intense. You could actually cut the tension. As the story is in real time, you don't miss anything and can follow everything that happen. The tension comes from, that in their decision, lies the fate of one mans life. So simple, but at the same time very complicated. The director has done a great job along with the actors. All twelve people act very well within their character, and as they, and the camera move around I actually got the feeling that being in that room, wanting to take part in the discussion. What more can a movie-maker aim for. With the acting and the time-independent (the issue of evidence and life and death is just as real today, I hope) issue I really got involved with the movie. And the suspense kept growing. Not in the way that anyone was in danger or if any time limit would pass, but the simple matter of somebodies opinion and the change thereof made it so. Who will change their opinion next and why? It really seemed as a study of people.
Great movie, action and suspense, great directing and acting and a very interesting topic!
9/10