IMDb > Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Anatomy of a Murder
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Anatomy of a Murder (1959) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 6 NEW)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- 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?
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- 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?
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 66% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Otto Preminger
Writers:
John D. Voelker (novel)
Wendell Mayes (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Anatomy of a Murder on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 July 1959 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Mystery more
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 more
User Comments:
One of the best courtroom dramas ever more (140 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

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
Ned Wever ... Dr. Raschid
Jimmy Conlin ... Clarence Madigan
Royal Beal ... Sheriff Battisfore
Joseph Kearns ... Lloyd Burke
Don Ross ... Duane 'Duke' Miller
Lloyd Le Vasseur ... Court Clerk
James Waters ... Army Sergeant 1st Class
Joseph N. Welch ... Judge Weaver
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Duke Ellington ... Pie Eye (uncredited)
Irv Kupcinet ... Distinguished gentleman (uncredited)
Mrs. Joseph Welch ... Juror (uncredited)
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Directed by
Otto Preminger 
 
Writing credits
John D. Voelker (novel) (as Robert Traver)

Wendell Mayes (screenplay)

Produced by
Otto Preminger .... producer
 
Original Music by
Duke Ellington 
 
Cinematography by
Sam Leavitt 
 
Film Editing by
Louis R. Loeffler 
 
Production Design by
Boris Leven 
 
Makeup Department
Del Armstrong .... makeup artist
Harry Ray .... makeup artist
Myrl Stoltz .... hair stylist
 
Production Management
Henry Weinberger .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Silver .... assistant director
 
Art Department
Howard Bristol .... set dresser
 
Sound Department
Jack Solomon .... sound
 
Camera and Electrical Department
James Almond .... lighting technician
Leo McCreary .... key grip
Irving Rosenberg .... camera operator
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Hope Bryce .... costume coordinator
Vou Lee Giokaris .... wardrobe
Michael J. Harte .... wardrobe (as Michael Harte)
 
Music Department
Richard Carruth .... music editor
 
Other crew
Saul Bass .... title designer
Kathleen Fagan .... script supervisor
William T. Hurtz .... director: animated titles
Otto Preminger .... presenter
Max Slater .... assistant to producer
Robert E. Blair .... dog trainer (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Runtime:
160 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
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

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Upon its original release, the film was banned in Chicago, Illinois. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Biegler first interviews Manion and suggests Manion needs to get a psychiatric examination, Manion says he knows someone at the Pentagon who can get one from the army. Later in the movie he mentions to Biegler that he got a letter from Washington telling him to see someone in Detroit. The Pentagon is in Virginia. more
Quotes:
Lt. Frederick Manion: Wanted: the Big Ten. Hey. They've got the ten best-dressed dames, the ten top teams, the ten top tunes, and now the ten most wanted.
Paul Biegler: Well, don't knock it. That's the American Dream. Those boys made The Grade.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "That Girl: Anatomy of a Blunder (#1.5)" (1966) more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is this movie based on a novel?
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.
more
16 out of 22 people found the following comment useful.
One of the best courtroom dramas ever, 3 December 2001
Author: palmer-4 from la

An excellent ballet of film direction and courtroom procedure, Anatomy is one of the best courtroom movies ever produced. With a great cast and three dimensional characters, highlighted by Jimmy Stewart and his usual "likeable everyman" character, the film moves briskly and intelligently, thanks to Premminger's fine direction.

Ben Gazzara plays an army soldier who shoots a man who raped his wife, then pleads insanity. Stewart is his lawyer and Lee Remick is great as the suggestive, somewhat slutty wife who leaves you questioning her motives throughout. Whether or not you agree with the final verdict (personally, I don't), you will agree that this is a great film, worth repeated viewings.

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more (140 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I didn't like the ending, or maybe just didn't get it McHinch
Do you think it deserves very high review? jr8rdt
Jimmy Stewart's greatest role? juiceboxmagoo
'I've seen him in action' Felicimagician
Weak District Attorney Character boring180
Very poor direction thirsch-2
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