Cinema icons Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, and John Williams lead this excellent courtroom drama that left filmgoers riveted from its unexpected turns and surprising climax. Directed by the legendary Billy Wilder (whose list of noteworthy credits include such Hollywood classics as Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, Sunset Boulevard, Ace in the Hole, Stalag 17, Some Like It Hot, and The Apartment) and adapted from Agatha Christie’s runaway play, Witness for the Prosecution has never lost its power to captivate audiences until the last, spellbinding frame.
When rich widow Emily French is found slain, her acquaintance Leonard Vole (Power) is the prime suspect. Vole’s only chance for acquittal is the testimony of his wife Christine (Dietrich), but his defense falls to pieces when Christine brings to light some shocking revelations of her own. Witness for the Prosecution was nominated for 6 Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Actor (Laughton), and Supporting Actress (Elisa Lanchester).
Staff review by Josh D.
