Witness for the Prosecution is one of the most entertaining courtroom stories of all time, written by the crime mistress herself, Agatha Christie. Charles Laughton completely owns the courtroom, starring as a famously brilliant barrister who's supposed to be taking a break for his health-but he gets drawn in by a truly compelling murder trial. Tyrone Power, in his last movie, has been accused of murdering a wealthy older woman. While all the evidence racks up against him, Charles doesn't give up hope and tries to win the case, all the while trying to crack the very hard nut Marlene Dietrich. Marlene is Tyrone's wife, and it's impossible to tell what she's really thinking or feeling.I love this story, and I love both versions of the film, from 1957 and 1982. It's incredibly suspenseful and interesting-and also quite impossible to talk about without giving spoilers. If you've never seen Witness for the Prosecution, add this one to your list of classics to rent. The acting is fantastic, and the timing makes it a very entertaining old movie to watch. There are no boring bits in this drama; and I guarantee you'll still sit on the edge of your seat the second time you watch it.

Yours truly has never been much of a reader, though with one notable exception: the work of Agatha Christie. I absolutely, positively worship this brilliant woman and try to read as many of her novels, short stories and stage play adaptations as possible. "Witness for the Prosecution" is a genuine classic, and although somewhat atypical for Christie, it is undeniably one of the greatest stories ever penned down. There's one major disadvantage about having read all of Christie's whodunits, of course, namely that you can't experience the same astounding twist-in-the-end twice! I would really have loved to be overwhelmed by the climax of this film- version, especially because Marlene Dietrich and Tyrone Power give away such fabulous performances. The story, with its fascinating characters and dazzling plot twists, does remain the movie's biggest strongpoint, but there are a number of more reasons why "Witness for the Prosecution" is righteously considered as one of the most massive milestones in cinematic history. Billy Wilder's surefooted direction, for one, and the stellar performances of the entire ensemble cast. I mentioned Dietrich and Power already, but there's also the downright phenomenal Charles Laughton (arguably the most shamefully neglected actor/director in history) and an appealing supportive role for Elsa Lancaster. But do I daresay that the ultimate success-factor of this stage play adaptation is the masterful re-creation of the court trial? The bombastic settings and decors, the echoing acoustics, the powerful monologues of confident (and arrogant) barristers and the intimidating gowns and wigs are largely what make "Witness for the Prosecution" not only the first but also the mother of all courtroom dramas. This may just be the opinion of an avid fan, but practically ALL great courtroom-dramas that were released from the sixties until present day ("To Kill a Mockingbird", "Philadelphia", "Devil's Advocate", "A Few Good Men"…) were clearly influenced by "Witness for the Prosecution". In fact, I only have one minor complaint: *** Spoiler **** the film version adds one more final twist that I didn't find 100% plausible.

Originally a short story by Agatha Christie, which was then adapted into a play, which then served as the basis for this film. A down on his luck fellow named Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) befriends an elderly widow, who just happens to be loaded. She also happens to end up dead, with Leonard blamed for the murder. Enter one elderly barrister named Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton), who has just gotten out of a hospital after a lengthy stay due to reasons of excessive lifestyle and bad habits. But, the case intrigues him, so he takes Mr. Vole as his client despite the protests of his nurse.Most of these courtroom dramas follow a fairly predictable pattern. Not that other genres don't have their conventions and clichés, but courtroom dramas rarely even try to hide them or shy away from them. With them the pattern is the point of it. You want the predictability, to a certain degree. You want to play along and try to guess the final outcome. Likewise with this film. Most of the running time is spent going over the case, reviewing past events, getting to know the characters.And it works. Charles Laughton especially is a blast. Sir Wilfrid is a wreck of a human being. Man consumed by vice. But then the case starts and his cunning intellect is suddenly at the forefront, his gaze unwavering and sharp.This was also Tyrone Power's last film. He would die during the filming of his next movie. But, as far as swansongs go, this is not a poor legacy to leave behind.But then, the main point of these films. The ending, when something is suddenly revealed. A key point of evidence is found, a new witness appears, someone cracks on the bench. I absolutely don't want to spoil anything, but the original story is by Agatha Christie. Trust me when I say it's wonderful.Witness for the Prosecution is a gem of its genre. Professionally crafted and entertaining, with great characters and an ending that won't leave you disappointed.

Director Billy Wilder close to his peak of career efforts, streaming elegantly frame work over the silver screen with power house actor Charles Laughton in his follow-up project after directing "Night of the Hunter (1955)" by himself. Clearly adapting Wilder's ease in the directing chair on set to create the character of lawyer Sir Wilfried Roberts.A leading character constantly challenged by his sidetracking nurse, plays out the irony on a working life with pleasures and restrictions in balance, always hunting for another cigar smoke or a shot of cognac in his thermos cup. The audience forgives him his vices by following Laughton's journey into a female-male-female triangle flashback story, where the man Leonard Vole, played by Tyrone Powers, gets accused of murdering an older woman, who relates to him as close as a perfect stranger.The lawyer takes the case of Leonard Vole on. In his process, Laughton's character learns further characters involved, including sneaky Christine, played Marlene Dietrich in trademark manner minimalist gestures and convicting glances towards any counterpart in her way. Director Billy Wilder makes great use of Dietrich's talents in another flashback scene under occupied Germany, where she gives singing homage on stage to German actor Hans Albers in his 1954er film "Reeperbahn at Night".With beat ingredients such as those, Billy Wilder already participates secretly in a futuristic world cinema approach, where filmmakers look onto each other internationally, exchanging their feelings in an universal language with releasing films. They show recognition to one another beyond national borders, which arguably had initiated the Nouvelle Vague in France just a few months later.Despite its dark subject matter of cold-blooded murder, "Witness For The Prosecution" benefits in every sense from the cast involved, elevating a rather stiff chamber scenario to an inland empire character evolution of three main character. Everything seems to be capture in one take shots. The comforted atmosphere created by director Billy Wilder especially in Sir Wilfried Roberts' office location can be exhaled with every revisit of the picture.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend