B&W masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (28 January 2002)

12 angry men is my all time favourite film ... the basic story evolves around the Jury discussions in a murder case, there are no action scenes, special effects, music score etc ... but its totally engrossing is acted superbly. This is a REAL film with a good plot and clever character development. It shows all sides of human nature, as each character comments on the case and we build up a picture of them and their personal views/feelings. There is hostility, racism, selfishness, anger which is subtlety developed during the film.
The directing is very clever with lighting changes and close-ups of the Jury in the room which add to the tense atmosphere. I like the way Henry Fonda finally sways them all around to his way of thinking, he does take a chance on the first vote - luckily the old man comes to his rescue, the old man helps him again later on by spotting the'glass' marks on the witness, this is key evidence ... In some ways the old man becomes the 'hero' of the film aswell !?
Anyway I don't care what anyone else says, the film stands tall on its own and does not require special effects/action scene frills to make it good. I would rather watch this any day than some blockbuster effects film that lacks a decent storyline but survives on its 'good special effects'.....

This is a real movie ... a gem