GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Colibel Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Unlimitedia Sick Product of a Sick System

2hotFeature one of my absolute favorites!

Claudio Carvalho In 1954, when the efficient but bitter and stubborn barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Ralph Richardson) returns to his office in London recovering from a heart attack, he is invited to defend Leonard Stephen Vole (Beau Bridges), who is the prime suspect in a murder case. Leonard is a former soldier that fought in World War II and is married with his beloved German wife Christine Helm Vole (Diana Rigg). He is unemployed and accused of seducing and murdering the wealthy middle-aged single woman Emily French (Patricia Leslie) to inherit 80,000 pounds. His unique alibi would be the testimony of Christine, which would not be accepted by the court, since she is his wife. Along the trial, Christine is surprisingly called to testify in court by the prosecution, when secrets about their lives are disclosed. "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957) is another remarkable movie of Billy Wilder and one of the best about trial. Based on the play of Agatha Christie, the plot is perfectly tied-up without any flaw in the screenplay, which has many plot points and witty lines in a perfect combination of the caustic and sarcastic "British humor" with crime, drama and mystery. Despite being a good remake with great cast and performances, I do not understand the purpose of shooting frame-by-frame the masterpiece of Billy Wilder. The last time I had seen this film was on 14 June 2003. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Testemunha de Acusação" ("Witness for the Prosecution")

scott-palmer2 This 1982 TV film boasts a grand cast (with a notable exception), good camera-work, sets, and lighting. The 1957 version made in Hollywood cast Hollywood actors-most of them British residents. The exception to that was Tyrone Power, although there was no mention in the original story of Leonard Vole being an American. This remake follows suit by casting Beau Bridges as Vole-a great mistake. Whereas Power gave an excellent performance, Bridges is weak and is easily dominated by the talents of the other actors.Sir Ralph Richardson gives a fine performance, playing barrister Sir Wilfred Robarts with a charm and whimsicality that was his trademark. Deborah Kerr is also quite good as the nurse-a definite improvement from Elsa Lanchester's annoying performance in the earlier film. For a reason unknown to many people, producers of film adaptations of Agatha Christie stories seem to think comedy elements are necessary when the genius of Christie was creating taut, dramatic, mysterious, and dangerous situations-mostly dealing with murder, and there's nothing funny about that. Some may see it as "entertaining," but these elements are totally unnecessary and mostly out of place (and not believable either).This version took pains to cast truly great actors in even the smaller parts. The legal profession is represented by such distinguished persons as Donald Pleasence, Michael Gough, David Langton and Richard Vernon, and Peter Copley played the doctor. Even the servant Janet McKenzie is played by none other than Dame Wendy Hiller! Diana (later Dame Diana) Rigg is also quite good as Romaine (they restored the character's original name), although unlike Marlene Dietrich she had to assume the German accent.Norman Rosemont, who was responsible for making many of the best TV movies during the 1970s and 80s, produced this one.

theowinthrop In 1958 Billy Wilder made one of the best film adaptations of an Agatha Christie story when he directed WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, with Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, Tyrone Power, Elsa Lanchester, and Una O'Connor. It is one of those mystery films that, even when you understand the trick, does not fail to remain entertaining. But it has to be done in a certain way, with a sense of decorum and tradition (personified by Laughton as Sir Wilfred Robarts - brilliant defense barrister but guardian of England's precious laws and sense of justice). It is infectious. Even Power as the seemingly helpless Leonard Vole is desperately hoping that the system of justice will save him.But along comes this version of 1982. One would have thought it could not fail with a star like Sir Ralph Richardson as Robarts and Diana Rigg as Christine Vole. But it does fail. Even with Dame Deborah Kerr as Nurse Plimsoll and Dame Wendy Hiller as Janet Mackenzie (the Una O'Connor role)it fails. Richardson is too laid back for Sir Wilfrid. When Rigg testifies against her husband, after having previously given him an alibi for the murder, Richardson almost seems to tease her about her behavior. In the same situation in the Wilder film, Laughton's justifiable anger at this turnabout leads to a peroration point where he shouts out that she is a perpetual liar. It was far more affective with Laughton, although Richardson was (traditionally) a greater actor.Similarly, Tyrone Power's Leonard Vole was (as I said when reviewing the 1958 film version)playing Leonard for all the part is worth, and created the most sinister part he played after his best performance in NIGHTMARE ALLEY as Stanton Carlyle. The last ten minutes of the film show what a totally amoral and vicious louse Power's Vole really is. Beau Bridges was as laid back as Richardson, making the mistake of making Vole seem a nice guy. Vole can be helpless in the arms of the British judicial system or he can be a louse. He can't be a guy you want to take out for a fishing expedition.I give this film a "6" - barely because the cast tried. Their ideas were wrong in Richardson and Bridges' interpretations.

borsch This remake of the Laughton/Power/Dietrich film is quite enjoyable, owing to skillful casting, top production values, and, of course, Dame Christie's cracking good story. Sadly, the only liability is the performance of Sir Ralph Richardson (It's almost unspeakable to say this; I feel like Brutus plunging the knife into his Caesar). This was one of his last performances, and his immense skill simply cannot overcome his advanced age. (Granted, his character is supposed to be aged and ill, but Sir Ralph is unable to act intrigued and energized by his last case the way Laughton was in the original.) Still, his presence alone delivers barrels full of audience goodwill, and the piece is anchored by fine performances from Diana Rigg in the Dietrich role, Deborah Kerr in Elsa Lanchester's part (a fun bit of off-casting!) and by Beau Bridges, who stretches himself beyond his normal nice-guy blandness and convinces in the Ty Power role. A nice movie for a rainy afternoon or a boring holiday!