Witness for the Prosecution

Plot synopsis:
A few years after War War II, in London, Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), is accused of murdering a rich widow, Emily French (Norma Varden), who has bequeathed him a substantial sum of money.Sir Wilfred Robarts (Charles Laughton), a skilled lawyer who has recently been ill, is asked to defend Vole. Sir Wilfred's doctor has instructed him to avoid excitement. After his hand-picked replacement barrister expresses doubt over Vole's innocence, Sir Wilfred decides to handle the case himself, despite protests from his nurse (Elsa Lanchester) and doctor.After a conversation with Mrs. Christine Vole (Marlene Dietrich), Sir Wilfred decides not to call on her to testify in defense of her husband.In the courtroom, Christine Vole surprisingly appears as a Witness for the Prosecution. A parade of circumstantial evidence points to murder. Christine's testimony does not provide an alibi for her husband.All seems lost as the defense concludes its case. But a late night phone call reveals new evidence that Christine wrote letters to her lover about denying her husband an alibi. This evidence changes the jury's opinion and Leonard is acquitted. However, Sir Wilfred suspects something is amiss with this sudden reversal and dramatic evidence.All is revealed in the last dramatic court scene, as Christine admits to deliberately sabotaging her own testimony with the letters, to get her guilty husband freed. But in the penultimate twist, Leonard shows his true stripes and reveals his intention to leave his "wife" for a younger woman. Christine seizes a letter opener and, in full view of Sir Wilfred, his nurse (Miss Plimsoll), and the other woman, stabs Leonard, killing him. Miss Plimsoll cancels Sir Wilfred's trip to Bermuda and Sir Wilfred announces he will defend Christine Vole in her trial for murder.

Tags: dramatic, mystery, murder

Review:
I can't praise Witness for the Prosecution any higher than that.Tyrone Power in his farewell film plays Leonard Vole who befriends a dotty old widow played by Norma Varden.
Laughton also has to deal with the efforts of his assigned nurse Elsa Lanchester to keep him following doctor's advice.The original play this was taken from concentrated completely on the Power character and the machinations of his wife.
Compared to films like this one, "legal" movies from John Grisham's novels are empty and meaningless, without soul.Mr.Wilder is the director, we know; we have Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich: what a cast!
There is no way that would be tolerated, at least today.Otherwise, it's a pretty solid film with a good cast that includes two fascinating characters played by actors who know how to entertain: Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich.
Laughton, who plays Power's defense attorney, grabs the spotlight in the story but Dietrich almost steals the movie in her role as Power's wife.
She, too, demonstrates her comedic talent and significantly adds to the fun of watching this film.If you like some fine drama, storyline twists, a little humor thrown in and great acting and dialog, this is a classic film to check out..
Starring the terrific talents of Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, and particularly Marlene Dietrich, directed by Billy Wilder, and based on the superb short story by Agatha Christie, it is a combination has all of the very best ingredients, and delivers a nearly outstanding film.The movie centers around Laughton's character, an aged, feisty, and very canny English barrister (lawyer) who is in poor health and headed toward retirement.
Charles Laughton is absolutely superb, and Elsa Lanchester is a perfect foil.Agatha Christie's story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster and this provides a strong foundation for the movie.
The film followed the basic story of Agatha Christie's play, but director and co-screenwriter Billy Wilder opened up the story by including numerous scenes that did not take place solely in the courtroom, as the play had, and changed the emphasis from "Leonard Vole" to "Sir Wilfrid Robarts¨.
Witness for the Prosecution is one of the most entertaining courtroom stories of all time, written by the crime mistress herself, Agatha Christie.
I would really have loved to be overwhelmed by the climax of this film- version, especially because Marlene Dietrich and Tyrone Power give away such fabulous performances.
The story, with its fascinating characters and dazzling plot twists, does remain the movie's biggest strongpoint, but there are a number of more reasons why "Witness for the Prosecution" is righteously considered as one of the most massive milestones in cinematic history.
Plus, having top actors on the top of their game (such as Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power and Marlena Dietrich) made this such a great film.
She just commands the screen and that wonderful German accent is spellbinding.Tyrone Power is a powerhouse but I found that he somewhat over-acted just a tad for my liking; however, this does not deter the quality of the entire movie.This is a terrific movie with a great little twist at the end, so stay with it right to the very end!.
Top barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts takes up the defendants case, but he, along with everyone else, is stunned when Vole's seemingly loving wife Christine turns up to testify against the defendant.Based on Agatha Christie's successful 1953 play, Witness For The Prosecution benefited from fine tuning from master director Billy Wilder and writing partner Harry Kurnitz.
The film plays out with no wasted scenes, no moments of boredom, and it has such vim and vigour you sometimes forget that there actually is drama in the story.The cast here are wonderful, Wilder had wanted to work with Charles Laughton for some time, and it's obvious that both parties here are getting the best out of each other.
Yet as good as they all are, they all sit in the shadow of Marlene Dietrich and her turn as Christine Vole, wonderfully sultry and femme fatalistic, it's a sizzling performance that crowns this delightful film.It occurred to me overnight that it's probably the closest film that Wilder got to being Hitchcockian, and I'm pretty sure the big master of suspense himself would have enjoyed this one.
One particular masterpiece from the latter was the 1957 courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution.When a young man (Tyrone Power) shadily becomes the beneficiary of a recently murdered wealthy widow, he must testify to his innocence with the help of a master barrister (Charles Laughton) recovering from a heart attack.
He makes the trial process an enthralling, entertaining experience that seems to never have a dull moment.It is character-driven, stimulating films like Witness for the Prosecution that remind me of just how great courtroom dramas have the potential to be.
When the efficient but bitter and stubborn barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) returns to his office in London recovering from a heart attack, he is invited to defend Leonard Stephen Vole (Tyrone Power), who is the prime suspect in a murder case.
"Witness for the Prosecution" is another remarkable movie of Billy Wilder and one of the best about trial.
Summarizing, this Agatha Cristie courtroom drama gives us profound acting performances and delivers us a story with tremendously suspenseful cinematography and one of the best twist endings I've seen.
Hollywood legend Tyrone Power, in his final completed film role, plays Leonard Vole, accused of the murder of a lonely rich middle aged woman, Mrs. Emily Jane French (Norma Varden).
Taking his case is the irascible, witty barrister Sir Wilfrid Roberts (Charles Laughton, in a delicious, Oscar nominated performance), who's recovering from a heart attack.This viewer shouldn't relay too much about the plot, but, as adapted from Agatha Christies' play, it's riveting stuff.
"Witness for the Prosecution" is often throwing surprises at the audience, and while more savvy folk may be able to predict a fair deal, the ways in which characters and viewers alike are manipulated is nothing short of masterful.There's a great deal of humor to be found in the relationship between Sir Wilfrid and his nursemaid Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester, a.k.a. Mrs. Laughton).
But the film is very entertaining, it features great performance by Charles Laughton and fun to watch performances by Marlene Dietrich ("Damn You!" - what an acting!
This Billy Wilder-directed adaptation of Agatha's Christie's Witness For the Prosecution features Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton, and these three leads could easily have appeared in a 1937 version, except that Christie hadn't written it yet, and so this film is from 1957.
Fortunately for him, a first rate lawyer has agreed to take his case, and all kinds of complications ensue till the surprise ending, in which everything comes together, but not as the first time viewer might have expected.There's a lot of good and bad in the film.
The good is a tight script; and a a bravura performance from Laughton as the lawyer (okay, barrister) with health problems; Laughton's real life wife, Elsa Lanchester, as his nurse, is delightful; Tyrone Power, as the accused, is nicely enigmatic and ambiguous; Marlene Dietrich, as Power's neglected war bride wife brings her own special brand of charisma to her role; while John Williams, Una O'Connor, Henry Daniell and Ian Wolfe are all splendid in supporting parts.
Dietrich seems to be working extra hard and actually convinces me that she is or could be Power's wife.Overall, Witness For the Prosecution feels like a "leisure movie" for its director.
It was as though someone in the production staff decided they had to save Charles Laughton's (who gave a grand performance as the lead defense English barrister, Sir Wilford Robarts) reputation, so that he did'nt come off looking as though he had been duped by the main characters involved in the murder he was defending.
So at the end, when the wife (Marlene Dietrich) saves the murderer (Tyrone Power) from the gallows, they had to quickly concoct a scene to avenge the wicked and scandalous trick that had been played on the defense team, the law, and the true hand of justice.
I think people miss the point and Power is actually precisely what he needs to be as Leonard Vole)The film is a masterpiece of direction, of writing and acting.Perhaps a little dated in style but breathtaking in its mix of drama, comedy and thriller.BUT for me above all else it is the acting not only of the principals but the whole cast (even the lovely Norma Varden as the victim is a delight) that brings me back to watch this film again and again..
The combination of Agatha Christie's play, Billy Wilder's fluid direction, and superlative performances by Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, and Tyrone Power combine to make this film quite extraordinary, if outré.
Charles Laughton is absolutely superb; he has the best lines and scenes and he brings the wit, intelligence, and the heart to the film.
That is thanks to two elements  first, Billy Wilder's (Some Like It Hot, Sunset Blvd., The Seven Year Itch) masterful direction, and an ensemble of fantastic actors, all of whom bring their characters to life; Charles Laughton is beyond brilliant as the aging, ailing, wily solicitor, and Tyrone Power is electrifying and fascinating as his client.
Most of all the diva Marlene Dietrich grants a truly show-stopping performance, and steals the show from the rest of the cast  proving just how great she really was.By far the greatest trial drama ever made, and one of the greatest murder mysteries, it took the combined talents of Christie, Wilder and the fantastic cast to create such amazing drama in the courtroom alone; Witness for the Prosecution is basically an ensemble piece that is no more than a theater production, but Wilder uses the full powers that he has at his disposal as a film director  close-ups, music, cinematography, lighting  to their full potential; and thus once again it is proved that he is one of the most underrated directors in history.
Even if you're not too keen on courtroom dramas, you should take a look at this one.Marlene Dietrich gives a surprisingly impressive performance as the seemingly deceitful wife of the defendant, played by Tyrone Power, who is effectively sympathetic in his role.
It was given the all star treatment - directed by Billy Wilder, starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, and Elsa Lanchester.
Power hands in an excellent performance, his last, and he's especially enjoyable in his flashback scene with Dietrich (who during the filming kept bringing him gifts while Charles Laughton leered at him - I'd say he still had it big time).
The film was greatly helped by the direction of Billy Wilder who was able to achieve great performances all around from his cast.Of course, this film belongs to Charles Laughton's brilliant performance as the barrister, Sir Wilfred Robarts.
Charles Laughton (surely one of the finest actors who has ever lived) put on an absolutely superb performance in this movie as the aging and well known defense attorney Wilfrid Robarts, who is hired to defend a man accused of murdering an elderly widow he had befriended in order to gain her estate.
Laughton manages to combine comedy (he's at times very funny, particularly in his exchanges with his nurse, played by Elsa Lanchester) with great drama and he does it seamlessly; everything about this movie flows absolutely perfectly.
Billy Wilder, assisted by a tremendous cast of actors, does a brilliant job of adapting and filming a classic Agatha Christie story in "Witness For the Prosecution".
All of these additions fit in perfectly with the original idea, and even a literary purist should find the film version to be a worthy tribute to the great mystery author and her conception.Most of the movie is driven by the battle of wills and wits between Christine Vole (Marlene Dietrich), whose husband is accused of murder, and Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton), who is defending the husband.
A wonderful and flawless script with a twist-reversal at the end that pretty much set the bar a dozen other movies since which have shamelessly copied it.And one of the most extraordinary performances ever put on film from an actress who strictly speaking did very few English movies, making this a rare treat.Marlene Dietrich at the peak of her star power, steals every frame she is in, projects a character so powerful (for a woman) that it is hard even today to find the equivalent combination of poise and strength and femininity.There is a specific scene in the film - a bonus if you like -- in which Dietrich plays a second role right in front of the audience and even if you watch the film many times you will still have trouble believing it is her, so astonishing is the acting.One of those films, if you were lost on a deserted island and could only pick a handful of DVDs, this is one of the keepers..
I started watching this movie with very least interest since besides being quite old and black and white,it is expected to be quite slow.At least that was on my mind,but with every next scene movie goes on impressing me thanks to the humor added Charles Laughton as an old lawyer.Witness for the prosecution is based on Agatha Christie novel.I previously encountered with another movie on Agatha Christie novel "Murder in Orient Express",and I wasn't quite impressed with that so expectations were low.But at the end I loved this movie because it gives you a big surprise in the end The movie deals with a man on the trial of murder.Its hard to imagine such movie in 50's because it seems so fresh today also.Watch it out guys,it's something special !!!.
The movies shows the star power of its cast from the starring to the smallest supporting role with great direction from Billy Wilder.
Even though one has a 60 year advantage over the other, Witness for the Prosecution was an incredibly better movie.I really love it when a film gets me so caught up that I feel at the same time worried and excited about what it's happening.
The best thing about the film is not the witty dialogues or the amazing character development or the brilliant Charles Laughton, it's the ending.
I have never seen a Billy Wilder movie that I didn't like, and to say that "Witness for the Prosecution" is another example of his masterpieces does not do it justice (pun not intended).
In the movie, American Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power, who died shortly after they finished filming) is accused of murdering a woman in England.
Some of the repartee between the leading lawyer, played by Charles Laughton, and his nurse, played by Elsa Lanchester, is especially funny when you know they were married at the time.The other great actress here of course is Marlene Dietrich, who is cold and clever and virtuosic.
Sir Wilfrid gave them that idea by bringing up how unrealistic and dangerous it would be to Vole's chances of being found innocent with his wife testifying in his favor which in effect, by some strange and convoluted reason, lead her to testify against him!The surprise witness who engineered the mind boggling ending of the movie and convinced the jury and everyone else in the courtroom of Vole's obvious innocence in Mrs. Frenchs murder was not the biggest surprise in the film.
It's no surprise that Billy Wilder, the man who gave us the ghoulishly funny "Sunset Boulevard," would be drawn to this macabre but witty Agatha Christie play."Witness for the Prosecution" is very minor Wilder, and would probably go unremembered today if not for the wonderful performances of husband and wife team Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester.
Agatha Christie's courtroom piece is given some life by the excellent performances of Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester, as the grouchy lawyer and her crotchety nurse.
With absolutely fantastic character development, incredibly smart and unpredictable screenplay, simply wonderful humor and greatly executed trial sequences, Witness for the Prosecution is an amazing film from start to finish with a plethora of phenomenal characters wonderfully realized, fascinating finale with a superb twist and a bunch of powerhouse performances, of which Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich are the best in one of their finest roles.
Tyrone Powers is great, as well as Marlene Dietrich, but Charles Laughton shines!!!
Apart from being a GREAT courtroom drama(which some people don't think this movie is), this movie is so much FUN and ENTERTAINING to watch.Especially because of the characters of Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester.
But Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich were convincing too in their portrayal of an innocent, afraid for his life man and a disloyal, unloving, poker faced wife respectively.Some people might say that they predicted the ending half way down the movie but i am not quite sure as to how the predicted the ACTUAL ENDING before it really unfolded before their eyes?This movie is great not only in the part played in court but also in the scenes shot in Sir Wilfrid Robarts's office(also due to Miss Plimsoll's caringly lovably irritating character!).Perhaps the people(the minority I'd like to believe) who don't think this movie deserves the high ranking and rating that it's got here saw this brilliant piece of art as more of a suspense thriller.But I loved this movie as a delightfully ENTERTAINING, MYSTERIOUS, DRAMA !I rate this 10 just because I haven't seen any other CLASSIC courtroom drama that was intense throughout(barring some light hearted scenes with Sir Wilfrid Robarts) and yet in the end I somehow felt light-hearted and had a smile on my face rather than a thought provoking look on it.The commentary in the ending credits was innocently adorable for our times of social networking "The management of this theater suggests that for the greater entertainment of your friends who have not yet seen the picture you will not divulge to anyone the secret of the ending of Witness for the Prosecution!And mind you I am a big fan of 12 Angry Men and How to Kill a Mockingbird!
Witness For The Prosecution (1957) is wonderful due to skilled stage actors, especially Charles Laughton, allowed to "do their thing.""Their thing" isn't seen any more in the present age (2009) because stage plays have almost disappeared and are only a memory supported by a great film like this, and that's a shame.
Strong performances by Charles Laughton, the barrister staunchly defending the innocent and charming Tyrone Power, so frequently the hero in his films, contrast with Marlene Dietrich's despicable role as his cold-hearted and faithless spouse.