IMDb > Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Witness for the Prosecution
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Witness for the Prosecution (1957) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Billy Wilder
Writers:
Agatha Christie (play)
Larry Marcus (adaptation)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Witness for the Prosecution on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 February 1958 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller more
Tagline:
Once in 50 years suspense like this! more
Plot:
Agatha Christie tale of a man on trial for murder: a trial featuring surprise after surprise. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations more
User Comments:
What a movie! more (136 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Tyrone Power ... Leonard Vole

Marlene Dietrich ... Christine Vole

Charles Laughton ... Sir Wilfrid Robarts

Elsa Lanchester ... Miss Plimsoll
John Williams ... Brogan-Moore
Henry Daniell ... Mayhew
Ian Wolfe ... Carter
Torin Thatcher ... Mr. Myers
Norma Varden ... Emily Jane French
Una O'Connor ... Janet McKenzie
Francis Compton ... Judge
Philip Tonge ... Inspector Hearne

Ruta Lee ... Diana
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marjorie Eaton ... Miss O'Brien (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum ... Barrister (uncredited)
Bess Flowers ... Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Colin Kenny ... Juror (uncredited)
Ottola Nesmith ... Miss Johnson (uncredited)
William H. O'Brien ... Barrister (uncredited)
J. Pat O'Malley ... Shorts salesman (uncredited)
George Pelling ... Bit part (uncredited)
Jack Raine ... Doctor (uncredited)
Molly Roden ... Miss McHugh (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre ... Clerk at Old Bailey (uncredited)
Norbert Schiller ... Spotlight operator in German cafe (uncredited)
Bert Stevens ... Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Ben Wright ... Barrister Reading Charges (uncredited)
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Directed by
Billy Wilder 
 
Writing credits
Agatha Christie (play)

Larry Marcus (adaptation)

Billy Wilder (screenplay) and
Harry Kurnitz (screenplay)

Produced by
Arthur Hornblow Jr. .... producer
Edward Small .... executive producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Matty Malneck (musical score by)
 
Cinematography by
Russell Harlan (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Daniel Mandell 
 
Art Direction by
Alexandre Trauner 
 
Set Decoration by
Howard Bristol 
 
Makeup Department
Nellie Manley .... hair stylist
Gustaf Norin .... makeup artist
Helene Parrish .... hair stylist
Harry Ray .... makeup artist
Ray Sebastian .... makeup artist
Wally Westmore .... makeup artist: Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Ben Hersh .... production supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Emmett Emerson .... assistant director
 
Art Department
Stanley Detlie .... property master
 
Sound Department
Fred Lau .... sound
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Edith Head .... costumes: Miss Dietrich
Joe King .... costumer (as Joseph King)
 
Music Department
Ernest Gold .... conductor
Leonid Raab .... music arranger
 
Other crew
John Franco .... script supervisor
Doane Harrison .... production associate
Edward Small .... presenter
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
116 min | Australia:111 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | German
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
West Germany:12 | Spain:T | Argentina:16 | Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #18704) | UK:U
Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
Company:
Edward Small Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Unsure if he could play a man with a heart condition, Charles Laughton (Sir Wilfrid) staged a heart attack in the pool one day at home. His wife, Elsa Lanchester (Miss Plimsoll), and a houseguest panicked and pulled him from the water, at which point he explained his trick. Elsa's reaction has not been recorded. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Both Sir Wilfred and Mr. Myers introduce evidence directly to the court themselves, which is against courtroom procedure. Sir Wilfred, for example, trumps Inspector Hearne's testimony by directly revealing Leonard Vole's blood type, instead of properly calling a witness with personal or professional knowledge of it. more
Quotes:
[Miss Plimsoll discovers cigars hidden in Sir Wilfrid's cane]
Sir Wilfrid: You could be jailed for that. You had no search warrant for my cane!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Red Skelton Show: Witness for the Persecution or Half a Lawyer Is Better Than None (#12.18)" (1963) more
Soundtrack:
I May Never Go Home Anymore more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Witness for the Prosecution" based on a novel?
How does the movie end after the verdict is announced?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
57 out of 66 people found the following comment useful.
What a movie!, 1 September 2004
10/10
Author: scott-buchanan (scott.buchanan@virgin.net) from scotland

A film I have not seen for years but will always remember with fondness. A classic thriller with all the right ingredients - Power and Dietrich are spectacular, and, by early standards (and recent ones!), the twist is excellent.

Charles Laughton however, provides us with a glib chuckle as the aging defense attorney ruled by his overlord maid. A distraction that only adds to an excellent plot line.

I can't imagine another film of the genre and the era, that so wickedly entangles the essential thriller with a 'crime of passion' (oops, spot the plot killer...) gem. A classic.

A film for true movie lovers. Take it from me!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Overrated, not aged well? sdb_1970
Best Billy Wilder movie? christof-kanitz
Brilliant casting except for... Cali7
'Let them get me for...' Bringbacktheglam
The monocle (spoiler) tim_ryan12
Showing on channel 4 JK21
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