Rent Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

4.0 of 5 from 202 ratings
1h 51min
Rent Witness for the Prosecution Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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Synopsis:
When a wealthy widow is found murdered, her married suitor, Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), is accused of the crime. Vole's only hope for acquittal is the testimony of his wife (Marlene Dietrich)...but his airtight alibi shatters when she reveals some shocking secrets of her own!
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , Francis Compton, , , , , , , , ,
Directors:
Producers:
Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Writers:
Agatha Christie, Billy Wilder, Harry Kurnitz, Lawrence B. Marcus
Others:
Arthur Hornblow Jr., Gordon E. Sawyer, Daniel Mandell
Studio:
MGM Home Entertainment
Genres:
Classics, Drama, Thrillers
Collections:
Acting Up: British Actors at the Oscars, Acting Up: British Actresses at the Oscars, Award Winners, Drama Films & TV, Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: Marlene Dietrich, Hitchcock in the 1940s, Oscar Nominations Competition 2024, A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Billy Wilder, Top 10 Agatha Christie Films
BBFC:
Release Date:
11/02/2013
Run Time:
111 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono, French LPCM Mono, German LPCM Mono, Italian LPCM Mono, Spanish LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
Dutch, English Hard of Hearing, Finnish, French, Greek, Swedish
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
B & W
Bonus:
  • In order to show just one of Dietrich's famous legs, an entire scene was written that required 145 extras, 38 stunt men...and $90,000!
BBFC:
Release Date:
10/09/2018
Run Time:
116 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.66:1
Colour:
B & W
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • New and exclusive feature length audio commentary by critic Kat Ellinger
  • Monocles and Cigars: Simon Callow on Charles Laughton in Billy Wilder's 'Witness for the Prosecution'
  • A new video interview with film scholar Neil Sinyard
  • Archival footage of Billy Wilder discussing Witness for the Prosecution with director Volker Schlondorff

More like Witness for the Prosecution

Reviews (6) of Witness for the Prosecution

A fine drama - Charles Laughton + Marlene Dietrich are excellent - Witness for the Prosecution review by RP

Spoiler Alert
07/03/2013

They don't make them this any more! Black-and-white courtroom drama set in 1952 with Charles Laughton (barrister), Marlene Dietrich (glamorous wife of the accused) and Tyrone Power (accused of murder). Whodunnit? There's a voiceover the end credits asking the audience not to tell, so I won't :)

Based on an Agatha Christie play from her own short story it's a fairly straightforward tale. But what sets it apart is the acting, particularly from Laughton and Dietrich. The role played by Tyrone power is fine - he comes across as a 'hammy' actor, but that is just right for the role.

I enjoyed it very much and there are some good comic touches too. There are however some bits that grate on me... It's a Hollywood drama (director Billy Wilder) so perhaps it's unsurprising there are courtroom errors, but the characterisation of Tyrone Power (an American) serving in the RAF but somehow managing to give his new German wife a British passport seemed all a bit odd. And as we all know, there are no 'Perry Mason moments' of last minute evidence in British courts...

That apart, it's a fine drama and fully deserves its IMDB score of 8.4. I'll give it 4/5 stars - highly recommended.

3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.

Classic Courtroom Drama - Witness for the Prosecution review by GI

Spoiler Alert
09/04/2021

Adapted by director Billy Wilder from Agatha Christie's celebrated play this is the quintessential courtroom drama and a film with so much intrigue and twists in the plot they even put a request in the credits not to reveal the story. Full of tour de force performances from stars Tyrone Power (in his last film, he died a year later aged only 44), Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton, who is exceptional here, this is a must see film. A true classic of cinema. Laughton plays Sir Wilfred Roberts, a famous barrister, who despite recovering from a heart attack agrees to defend Leonard Vole (Power), accused of murdering a rich widow. Sir Wilfred is convinced of his client's innocence despite overwhelming circumstantial evidence of his guilt. But the prosecution call a surprising witness which threatens the entire defence and Sir Wilfred suspects something isn't right. The main courtroom of the Old Bailey was faithfully reproduced as the main set where most of the film takes place and there's also small clues to the films puzzle if you are on the ball to spot them. It matters not because this is such a cleverly told tale that it keeps you hooked throughout and in many ways it's a whodunnit. Added into the mix is a good dose of humour especially in Laughton's grumpy barrister and his feud with his domineering nurse played by his real life wife Elsa Lanchester. Brilliantly written, edited and directed this is a fantastic film, remade a few times but this is the one to seek out it's a real joy.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Superb adaptation of an Agatha Christie short story with the great Charles Laughton - Witness for the Prosecution review by PV

Spoiler Alert
25/01/2017

This is a superb film - a courtroom thriller - starring some real legends: the great British actor Charles Laughton who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Henry VIII in the 1930s, and even Marlene Dietrich too!

The lead Tyrone Power is a bit odd - with an American accent yet he served in the RAF in WWII which is never explained, but the demands of box office audiences meant producers then (and now) pandered to what they (and esp the female audience) wanted and Tyrone Power was a heart-throb of his day.

The plot is pure Agatha Christie - based on a short story original called 'Traitor Hands' - it has typical twists, mistaken identity, and the last minute reveal JUST like a magician's trick. This is Christie's hallmark. It makes for unrealistic drama (NO British court would allow last-minute reveals like this) but riveting drama.

Apparently, Ben Affleck is in talks to a direct a new movie version with Matt Damon - one wonders how much these over-rated Hollywood types with mess it up (and the great big lie that was 'Argo').

But anyway, a fine drama. The BBC made a drama with Toby Jones broadcast on 26 and 27th December 2016 which totally changed the ending and added unnecessary female characters (which writers are ordered to do now to placate the diversity departments and attract the easy meat female viewers). No need for all that though as this is the better version, and the one to watch.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

1 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

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