Witness for the Prosecution (1982)
Sir Wilfred Robarts, a famed barrister is released from the hospital, where he stayed for two months following his heart attack. Returning to the practise of his lawyer skills, he takes the case of Leonard Vole, an unemployed man who is accused of murdering an elderly lady friend of his, Mrs. Emily French. While Leonard Vole claims he's innocent, although all evidence points to him as the killer, his alibi witness, his cold German wife Christine, instead of entering the court as a witness for the defense, she becomes the witness for the prosecution and strongly claims her husband is guilty of the murder.
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One of my all time favorites.
Best movie of this year hands down!
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Excellent TV version of the Agatha Christie classic with an amazing array of talent for this type of enterprise. This is the sort of high quality fare that was standard on American television in the 70s & 80s and is sadly missing today. Bridges is okay but miscast. Leonard Vole needs to be played by someone with a slick charm as it was by Tyrone Power in the original, a persona like George Clooney projects now and Bridges while a capable actor doesn't have that quality. Therefore he is easily put in the shade by the powerhouse team of Sir Ralph Richardson and Diana Rigg. Both give exceptional performances, Richardson sly, knowing and wise while Diana Rigg is perfect as the determined if misguided Christine. Deborah Kerr provides a nice light touch as Richardson nurse. Good fun all around.
I watched Witness for the Prosecution on the "This" movie channel hoping it would be just as good as the original, but unfortunately not.It plays like a TV episode instead of a movie, and the acting is very stilted. Even the way they move feels like watching robots in motion rather than a natural performance. I don't know who to blame - the directors or the actors - but in either case the actors look like actors, not real people experiencing real events.I recommend you get the original movie which DOES feel natural. Charles Laughton does a brilliant job as the lawyer.Even if you have to rent it, the original movie is better than this "free" TV version and worth the expenditure. PBS sometimes runs the original on weekends, so maybe you can catch it then.
This is Dame Agatha at her best. I also have the 1957 original, but I gotta tell you this version is far better! Credit Diana Rigg for that, she steals the show and gives a towering performance.The film starts when Janet is on her way back to the house(Wendy Hiller)She hears two people-she sees one of them-but can't see the other-it's a man. She goes upstairs-then she hears screams and crashing about. She goes down stairs to find a middle aged woman dead.That's the set up. What follows is a series of plot twists. Leonard Vole(Beau Bridges) Is arrested for the crime and is brought to trial. The Barrister Sir Wilford Robarts(Ralph Richardson)is asked to take the case.Is Leonard Vole Guilty? Be prepared for one of the most surprising endings in a mystery! It's shot in the arm from Agatha Christie! Oh, Agatha How could you?
I have never liked the murder mystery genre. However, this is one of my favorite films. I have also seen the original 1957 version starring Marlene Dietrich and think this version is far better. Why ? Because this version is more compelling, and the cast is excellent. But by far, it is because Diana Rigg is PERFECT in her role and outshines the rest of the cast.