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Ptah

(33,889 posts)

23. I enjoy Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Sat Jul 26, 2025, 01:46 PM

Jul 26

Witness for the Prosecution is a 1957 American legal mystery melodrama film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton, with Elsa Lanchester and John Williams. The film, which has elements of bleak black comedy and film noir, is a courtroom drama set in the Old Bailey in London and is based on the 1953 play of the same title by Agatha Christie. The first film adaptation of Christie's story, Witness for the Prosecution was written for the screen by Wilder and Harry Kurnitz and adapted by Larry Marcus.

The film was acclaimed by critics and received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It also received five Golden Globe Award nominations including a win for Elsa Lanchester as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Additionally, the film was selected as the sixth-best courtroom drama ever by the American Film Institute for their AFI's 10 Top 10 list.

In the film, a man accused of killing a wealthy widow who had named him as the main beneficiary in her will undergoes a trial during which his wife testifies against him.

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nuxvomica ultralite001 Tom Dyer

63 replies

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2 movies Botany Jul 5 #1

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Thanks for recommending this. I'll definitely look for it. SharonAnn Jul 26 #35

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I read a book similar to that BlueSpot Jul 26 #25

The original book by Patrick Suskind is a great read nuxvomica Jul 26 #34

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i will add another of his films to this list: ret5hd Jul 15 #19

I had forgotten that movie! yardwork Jul 26 #31

I do love that movie. LisaM Jul 26 #33

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The Earthling is a similar film LearnedHand Jul 27 #40

Agree with the similarity. I liked that movie too. Thanks. n/t marked50 Jul 27 #47

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That's it! Harker Jul 27 #46

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I know that one BlueSpot Jul 26 #26

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😃 Floyd R. Turbo Jul 27 #49

Highly under-rated film. Tight story, good actors, great direction and cinematography, great sound track ... marble falls Jul 27 #51

Yep! Tough competition in 77; Star Wars, Close Encounters, Saturday Night Fever, Annie Hall,...... Floyd R. Turbo Jul 27 #57

It also has a great soundtrack by Tangerine Dream n/t TexasBushwhacker Jul 27 #60

Was it ever! Floyd R. Turbo Jul 27 #61

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