12 Angry Men

The Brief

An 18-year-old boy is charged with the premeditated murder of his father. All evidence and circumstances point to the son, and the jury’s verdict seems like a mere formality. We meet the twelve jurors as they retire to the jury room. Everything points toward a unanimous decision, until it turns out that one juror votes “not guilty” in the first ballot. From this point on, the tension is no longer about the question of guilt itself, but about how the dynamics in the jury gradually shift. Superstar Henry Fonda hired first-time director Sidney Lumet to bring Reginald Rose’s well-crafted TV drama to the big screen. Fonda himself plays the juror plagued by doubt, who argues against an apparently obvious but hastily reached verdict. The role was perfectly suited to Fonda’s unflappable calm and his almost exalted sense of seriousness. The intense drama unfolds in a jury room on a stiflingly hot afternoon. Claustrophobia sets in, and the camera is masterfully employed within this confined space. Paradoxically, the limited room amplifies the dramatic effect, and the strict direction leaves no dead ends or blind spots. The jurors remain nameless throughout the film. Their individual personalities are clearly reflected through traits and values. Early on, we can sense who is uncertain and who has ulterior motives for condemning the young man. As the jury works through the case, each member confronts their own prejudices and is forced into self-examination. Good to know: * Age 15+