I'm about to start a trial where I really believe in my client. I like to watch trial movies and scenes to get fired up before the trial gets going. Of course there are the classics like A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny, 12 Angry Men, A Time to Kill, and others.
What are your favorite trial movies and scenes?
And for those of you who don't know, Star Trek has some really great trial scenes:
18 comments:
I don't recall a particularly poignant trial scene, but A Civil Action was one of my favorite films (and books).
I LOVE that Star Trek scene!
The Verdict—Paul Newman (as Frank Galvin) closing argument. Nothing better. https://youtu.be/BwpkYA1AQVU?si=0vHewXQuRnUfY85D
Well, if you are going to mention My Cousin Vinny, might as well go full Monty: Disorder In The Court with The Three Stooges
100% agree. A washed up, down on his luck lawyer goes up against a bevy of large firm lawyers and a powerful archdiocese and wins. Probably my favorite trial movie.
Breaker Morant
Good luck!
Best movie trials:
The Judge
Fracture
Music Box
I Confess
Juror Number Two
Amistad
Witness for the Prosecution
Amistad is a personal favorite.
For those who like lawyer/trial movies, Juror Number Two may have been one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It would be a major spoiler alert for me to explain why, but if you’re miserable and have two hours of your life to waste that you can never get back, do what I did and watch.
Don't forget Anatomy of a Murder. Even in black & white, Jimmy Stewart is great and proves that, on top of all his other accomplishments (Oscars, war hero, humanitarian), he passed on a career as America's greatest trial attorney, and kicked George C. Scott's ass to top it off.
And Justice for All. Al Pacino (another actor who could have been an outstanding trial attorney) gives an opening statement for the ages.
Presumed Innocent. Raul Julia’s cross on Dr. Kumigai is money. Harrison Ford’s best performance in a drama.
And let's not forget Ben Gazzara's role in that film
Presumed innocent and true believer are my favorites
Best trial movie in recent years is Anatomy of a Fall. Not even close.
To this day, I enjoy the old Perry Mason episodes from the 50s-60s. Even the HBO newer Perry Mason series trial scenes were fun.
You named them all. One of my favorite Star Trek episodes too. Love the “old” law books.
Amending my answer of The Verdict to add two exceptionally pertinent/timely Spencer Tracy movies: Judgement at Nuremberg and Inherit the Wind (aka “Scopes Monkey Trial”).
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