TNL Movie Club - 12 Angry Men

**Andy** · 22 May 2007, 02:32 AM

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050083/

Originally Posted by IMDb

Heralded as one of the all-time great theatrical releases, "12 Angry Men" focuses on a jury's deliberations in a capital murder case. A 12-man jury is sent to begin deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of an 18-year-old Latino accused in the stabbing death of his father, where a guilty verdict means an automatic death sentence. The case appears to be open-and-shut: The defendant has a weak alibi; a knife he claimed to have lost is found at the murder scene; and several witnesses either heard screaming, saw the killing or the boy fleeing the scene. Eleven of the jurors immediately vote guilty; only Juror No. 8 (Mr. Davis, played by Henry Fonda) casts a not guilty vote. At first Mr. Davis' bases his vote moreso for the sake of discussion after all, the jurors must believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. As the deliberations unfold, the story quickly becomes a study of the jurors' complex personalities (which range from wise, bright and empathetic to arrogant, prejudiced and merciless), preconceptions, backgrounds and interactions.

Following up last week's excellent, performance-driven pick of Glengarry Glen Ross, I raise you with one of the greatest, purely performance-driven films of all time --in my humble opinion-- with my submission of 12 Angry Men. An ensemble cast including Henry Fonda, Jack Klugman, Jack Warden, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, all delivering performances of their careers, in perhaps Sidney Lumet's greatest achievement. One of my all time favorites. I hope you guys enjoy it.