A Case of Libel (1983) (TV)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Eric Till

Writers:

Henry Denker (play)
Louis Nizer (book)

Plot:

Fact-based courtroom drama about a news reporter in 1954 who sued a columnist for libel after he proclaimed him a communist in print. |

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Based On Play | Based On Book

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Daniel J. Travanti	...	Boyd Bendix
Edward Asner	...	Robert Sloane
Gordon Pinsent	...	Dennis Corcoran
Robin Gammell	...	Paul Cleary
Chris Wiggins	...	Colonel Douglas
Lawrence Dane	...	Coles
Charlotte Blunt	...	Anita
Michael J. Reynolds
Larry Reynolds
Tom Harvey	...	Alston
Michael Zelniker	...	David
Meg Hogarth

Runtime:

USA:115 min (uncut premiere release)

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L

Company:

Showtime Networks

Trivia:

The Broadway production of "A Case of Libel" opened at the Longacre Theater in New York on October 10, 1963 and ran for 242 performances.

Movie Connections:

Remake of A Case of Libel (1968) (TV)

Impressive

This was high-octane courtroom drama long before CSI, and much more in your face than perry mason. Brooding Ed Asner and sharp acerbic Travianti play off each other to great effect.

I was a child when I saw this and was riveted to the screen, so I'm guessing there was some melodrama :) but that does not take away from how much fun it is to see Asner growling at someone.

It's clear they have lots of fun with the material, and it's a pity we don't see more of Travianti these days.

If you can get this, go out do so.