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Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
1 July 1959 (USA) morePlot:
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 synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 11 nominations moreUser Comments:
First-Class Courtroom Drama moreCast
(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:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
160 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound 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:12Filming Locations:
2nd Floor, Marquette County Courthouse - 234 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, Michigan, USA moreFun Stuff
Goofs:
Continuity: Several times in the movie one of the characters makes a humorous comment and you hear the courtroom audience burst out laughing; however, when the camera immediately turns to the audience, they are shown completely still and without emotion. moreFAQ
How closely does the movie follow the book?Why 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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As a courtroom drama, "Anatomy of a Murder" would be hard to surpass. It is a first-class production with an interesting and unpredictable story plus a strong cast. It works admirably, both as a story and as a portrayal of the workings of the law. It avoids the labored dramatics and contrived resolutions in which so many movies of the genre indulge, and it also declines to shy away from pointing out the more ill-conceived features of the legal system.
From his first scene, James Stewart pulls the viewer right into the world of lawyer Paul Biegler. It takes little time before you come to know him and to get a pretty good idea of what his life is like. His scenes with Arthur O'Connell work well in rounding out the picture. The two are neither heroic nor brilliant, but simply sympathetic and believable.
Into Biegler's world then come the characters played by Ben Gazzara and Lee Remick, a married couple with more than their share of faults. By making them less than ideal clients, the movie takes a chance on losing the audience's sympathy, but it adds credibility and complexity to the story. Both roles are played well - again, it seems as if you know a lot more about them than is specifically stated.
When George C. Scott enters the picture, he adds yet another dimension. His character arrives at just the right time to complicate the plot, and his legal skirmishing with Stewart makes some dry material come to life in an interesting way. Eve Arden also has some good moments, and her character is used in just the right amount to add some amusement without causing a distraction from the main story. It's also interesting to see Joseph Welch as the judge, and his portrayal works well enough.
Otto Preminger holds everything together nicely, with the right amount of detail and a pace that keeps the story moving steadily. The result is a very nice contrast to the many run-of-the mill legal/courtroom movies that present such an idealized view of the justice system. It maintains a careful balance, making clear the flaws and unpleasant realities of the system, yet never taking cheap shots either. And it's also an interesting and involved story, one of the most carefully-crafted of its kind.