Directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Twelve Angry Men is a courtroom drama with a jury as the protagonist. It is a classic exploration of the American jury system and legal justice. The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. The film has been remade many times, the most famous version being Henry Fonda's first version, and a Russian version.
The film opens with a judge telling jurors after the trial to find "reasonable doubt" about a New York youth accused of killing his father. Eleven of the twelve jurors believed that the youth was guilty and could be sentenced to death. Only the juror played by Henry Fonda objected, believing that it should be discussed, after all, human life is at stake. Some of the other jurors wanted to go home on time to watch the game and didn't want to discuss it at all. In the end, Henry Fonda did everything he could to find out the doubts of the case one by one, and one by one made the other 11 jurors change their attitudes, and a possible wrongful case was vindicated.
The film was almost shot in a small room, but with the wonderful dialogue, the tension of the plot is created, which is exciting to watch. An American-style legal hero who sticks to his beliefs and battles everyone's preconceived prejudices, and finally completes the big reversal. Behind the entire trial, each juror has his own background, story and values. The collision of different values in this murder case has raised many questions for thought. This is a very classic movie from the golden age of Hollywood.
In this film unfolding in a small space, the director's infiltration of theatrical stage scheduling skills is greatly demonstrated. The film begins with a stuffy room, the fan is not working well, and everyone seems to be reluctant to discuss such a case that seems to have solid evidence. The twelve jurors in the entire film are all distinctive and can be called twelve protagonists. , this kind of character creation is also admirable. The juror played by Henry Fonda was the only one who insisted on dissent at the beginning, but he did not have any clear idea of defending the suspect. He won an old man to agree with him, and the collegiality continued.
It is very difficult for a film that relies on lines to advance the plot in a small space, and can achieve such an interlocking and fascinating film, which is why this "Twelve Angry Men" can be called a classic. While appreciating this film, we also appreciate the spirit of the rule of law in the United States. This principle of "reasonable doubt" makes it possible to ensure a fair judgment of the case to the greatest extent. The nobility and integrity of human nature and the darkness and narrowness of human nature have a hedge and consideration in this film. In debating a group full of preconceived ideas, an individual finally achieves justice and demonstrates the spirit of the rule of law in the United States. As one of the jury in the film talks about, it's also an important cornerstone on which this country can stand. In this small film, we can see the essence of the American spirit and have a new reflection on human nature.
View more about 12 Angry Men reviews
