Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

	Directed by: Billy Wilder	COUNTRY USA GENRE Legal mystery/Thriller NORWEGIAN TITLE Anklagerens vitne RUNNING TIME 116 minutes
	Produced by: Arthur Hornblow Jr.
	Written by ("The Witness for the Prosecution" by Agatha Christie): Larry Marcus Billy Wilder Harry Kurnitz

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Leonard Vole	Tyrone Power
Christine Vole/Helm	Marlene Dietrich
Sir Wilfrid Roberts	Charles Laughton	½
Miss Plimsoll	Elsa Lanchester	½
Mr. Brogan-Moore	John Williams
Mr. Mayhew	Henry Daniell	-
H. A. Carter	Ian Wolfe	-
Mr. Myers	Torin Thatcher	-
Mrs. Emily Jane French	Norma Varden	-
Janet McKenzie	Una O'Connor	½
Mr. Justice Wainwright	Francis Compton
Chief Inspector Hearne	Philip Tonge	-
Diana	Ruta Lee	-

Review

This clever and remarkably entertaining courtroom drama is quite possible the best big-screen adaptation of any Agatha Christie story. The film stars an obesely overweight and delightfully arrogant Charles Laughton as an expert defence barrister who takes on a seemingly impossible case of defending a good-natured American man (Tyrone Power) in a murder case full of circumstantial evidence – including the statement of his wife Christine (Marlene Dietrich), which may or may not implicate him. Fans of crackerjack writing will be treated to plenty of intellectual banter and delightful twists, right up until the very end. Crisp black-and-white cinematography by Russell Harlan and skilful narrative pacing courtesy of veteran director Billy Wilder (Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard) make the movie a feast for eyes and mind despite a very limited number of locations. Laughton is superb as the lethargic and acerbic but very much principled Sir Wilfrid. This was Tyrone Power's last fully completed film before his sudden death in Madrid a year after its release.