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Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
1 July 1959 (USA)
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Plot:
In a murder trial, the defendant says he suffered temporary insanity after the victim raped his wife. What is the truth, and will he win his case? full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars.
Another 7 wins
&
11 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Topics/Questions/Exercises Of The Week—13 November 2009
(From The Auteurs. 13 November 2009, 8:45 AM, PST)
New poster for The Mechanic
(From TotalFilm. 28 September 2009, 5:03 AM, PDT)
(From The Auteurs. 13 November 2009, 8:45 AM, PST)
New poster for The Mechanic
(From TotalFilm. 28 September 2009, 5:03 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Great
more (141 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | James Stewart | ... | Paul Biegler |
 | Lee Remick | ... | Laura Manion |
 | Ben Gazzara | ... | Lt. Frederick Manion |
| Arthur O'Connell | ... | Parnell Emmett McCarthy |
| Eve Arden | ... | Maida Rutledge |
| Kathryn Grant | ... | Mary Pilant |
 | George C. Scott | ... | Asst. State Atty. Gen. Claude Dancer |
 | Orson Bean | ... | Dr. Matthew Smith |
| Russ Brown | ... | George Lemon |
| Murray Hamilton | ... | Alphonse Paquette |
| Brooks West | ... | Dist. Atty. Mitch Lodwick |
| Ken Lynch | ... | Det. Sgt. James Durgo |
| John Qualen | ... | Deputy Sheriff Sulo |
| Howard McNear | ... | Dr. Dompierre |
| Alexander Campbell | ... | Dr. W. Gregory Harcourt |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
160 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Australia:M |
Canada:R (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Canada:PA (Manitoba) |
Finland:K-16 |
Norway:16 (1959) |
Sweden:15 |
UK:12A (re-rating) (2005) |
UK:12 (video re-rating) 2001) |
UK:15 (video rating) (1988) |
UK:X (original rating) |
USA:Unrated |
West Germany:16 |
Iceland:12
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Upon its original release, the film was banned in Chicago, Illinois.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: In the opening shot, the camera-car's shadow is visible on Biegler's car.
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Quotes:
Paul Biegler:
Mr. Paquette, what would you call a man with an insatiable penchant for women?
Alphonse Paquette: A what?
Paul Biegler: A penchant... a desire... taste... passion?
Alphonse Paquette: Well, uh, ladies' man, I guess. Or maybe just a damn fool!
[laughter in the courtroom]
Judge Weaver: Just answer the questions, Mr. Paquette. The attorneys will provide the wisecracks.
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Alphonse Paquette: A what?
Paul Biegler: A penchant... a desire... taste... passion?
Alphonse Paquette: Well, uh, ladies' man, I guess. Or maybe just a damn fool!
[laughter in the courtroom]
Judge Weaver: Just answer the questions, Mr. Paquette. The attorneys will provide the wisecracks.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in Crimen ferpecto (2004)
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FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersWhy does Biegler want to prove that Mrs. Manion was raped? All that matters is that Lt. Manion BELIEVED she had been raped, causing temporary insanity.
Is this movie based on a novel?
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more (141 total)
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I'd made up my mind in less than ten minutes about "Anatomy of a Murder". It did not have the ongoing twists like "Witness for the Prosecution", character oriented or plot driven. Nor was it a movie with the compelling, issue ploughing story line like "To Kill a Mockingbird". At the same time, it lacked historical interest, but the incredibly dramatised realism of "Judgement at Nuremberg".
Instead, I thought, a film with a two and a half hour run time, and I hate sitting in front of movies running longer than two hours as it is!
I found it, but it took me a while to realise the one great asset this movie had. Jimmy Stewart.
Without a doubt, this engrossing movie about rape, murder and law evoked memories of a Jimmy Stewart seen twenty years earlier in "Mr Smith Goes to Washington". The small town, humble, idealised man who triumphs over the hard headed city men. In a sense, almost the "It's a Wonderful Life" of 1959 with no angels, no attempted suicides, no wonderful, sentimental, reminding message of what life is about.
One of the best things about the movie is the Duke Ellington score. The brass jazz sounds against the actual darkness of the plot completely and totally surprised me, it being so different to the usual dark sombre tones, screeching string instruments trying to stir suspense in the audience.
Supporting cast is great. Lee Remick, Eve Arden, Arthur O'Connell and George C. Scott all put in great performances. But I enjoyed Jimmy very much as the fisherman, lively, wise cracking lawyer.
Otto Preminger directed "Laura" fifteen years earlier. Seems a bit like similar plot lines. Beautiful woman caught up in murder, men lusting after beautiful woman, continual plot turns and all the rest. But Preminger directed this film well.
What did I find by the end? I found some of the the sarcastic suspense in Jimmy and the film, similar to Billy Wilder's "Witness for the Prosecution". The drama was just as alive as it was with "Judgement at Nuremberg". I found myself pulled in as much as I was with "To Kill a Mockingbird". In short, I really recommend this film to everyone who enjoys a few thrills and suspense.
In fact, I liked it so much, I'm going to read the book.
Rating: 9/10