TWELVE ANGRY MEN (1957)
Noir melodrama about a jury of twelve men who must decide the guilt of a young man accused of killing his own father. At first the jury is 11 to 1 for a guilty verdict. The one man who votes not guilty (Henry Fonda) just wants to talk a bit about the case. But each jury member’s unique perspective produces new angles and information about the case, uncovers ideas the lawyers missed. As the kid’s guilt appears less and less sure, some jury members become heroic and some fray at the edges, and dark personal issues emerge.
This movie takes place entirely in a jury room, and yet it’s more action-packed and exciting than any action movie. Can you imagine a movie in which a deliberating jury member holding a knife seems about to stab another jury member? This situation convincingly brings up such extreme emotions in the characters, that it actually goes that far. The ensemble cast is astounding. Especially notable is Lee J. Cobb as the juror most insisting on the kid’s guilt. But everyone in that room is memorable. And this movie is important in so many ways. It should be shown to every potential juror before he enters a courtroom. It’s inspiring in that it believes in the jury system, that this brutal story comes out hopeful. Yes, out personal biases and experiences often blind us to the truth. But if we work together to express our personal perspectives and truths, our person issues can also reveal truths. There are few movies that inspire me and make me cry more than this one.
