Zeugin der Anklage

Originaltitel: Witness for the Prosecution

1957
12
1 Std. 56 Min.

IMDb-BEWERTUNG

8,4/10

145.186

IHRE BEWERTUNG

BELIEBTHEIT

3.305

trailer wiedergeben3:09

1 Video

99+ Fotos

Legal Drama Legal Thriller Whodunnit Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

Ein erfahrener britischer Rechtsanwalt muss seinen Mandanten in einem Mordprozess verteidigen, der einige Überraschungen auf Lager hat.Ein erfahrener britischer Rechtsanwalt muss seinen Mandanten in einem Mordprozess verteidigen, der einige Überraschungen auf Lager hat.Ein erfahrener britischer Rechtsanwalt muss seinen Mandanten in einem Mordprozess verteidigen, der einige Überraschungen auf Lager hat.

Siehe Produktionsinformationen bei IMDbPro

IMDb-BEWERTUNG

8,4/10

145.186

IHRE BEWERTUNG

BELIEBTHEIT

3.305

Siehe Produktionsinformationen bei IMDbPro

Am besten bewerteter Film #66

Für 6 Oscars nominiert
- 3 Gewinne & 15 Nominierungen insgesamt

Wissenswertes
Charles Laughton, who could be moody and difficult, was apparently a dream to work with, throwing himself into the role with dedication and delight. Billy Wilder later recalled a day that was set aside just for shooting reaction shots of the jury and courtroom crowd (composed of extras hired only for the day). Normally, the assistant director would read the actors' lines, and the extras would react. However, Laughton, who was fascinated with the whole process of filmmaking, begged to help. So he came in on his day off and read all of the off-camera speeches to the jury members. He not only read his part but also the judge's, the prosecutor's, and even Marlene Dietrich's. According to biographer Maurice Zolotow in his book "Billy Wilder in Hollywood", "it was an exhibition of craftsmanship such as Wilder had never seen. He believes that Charles Laughton had the greatest technical range and power of any actor, man or woman, whom he has known."

Patzer
Whilst the story is set in London, the script contains several Americanisms such as "cot" for bed, "banana peel" for banana skin, "travel bureau" for travel agents, "roll up" for open, "movie" for film and "Scotch" for Scottish. Whilst some may be intentional, it is odd that Sir Wilfrid or Mrs French would use such colloquialisms. Conversely the US-accented Leonard uses the correct UK "quid" with reference to money.

Zitate
Sir Wilfrid: I am constantly surprised that women's hats do not provoke more murders.

Crazy Credits
As the end credits appear on screen, an announcer's voice is heard: "The management of this theater suggests that for the greater entertainment of your friends who have not yet seen the picture you will not divulge to anyone the secret of the ending of Witness for the Prosecution."

Verbindungen
Featured in Marlene (1984)

Soundtracks
I May Never Go Home Anymore
Music by Ralph Arthur Roberts
Lyrics by Jack Brooks
Sung by Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
Reprised a cappella by Tyrone Power (uncredited)

Benutzerrezensionen384

Rezension

Ausgewählte Rezension

Billy Wilder meets Agatha Christie

Another brilliant work in the legendary career of Billy Wilder. The director signs a cinematic adaptation of this Agatha Christie story: actually it is really as if the camera went on stage for filming the play. But the film is passionating and exciting, there's no time to get bored.

Another thing we shall not forget is that Billy Wilder is European. He manages to keep the spirit of the film very British, with lots of humour and sarcasm. Compared to films like this one, "legal" movies from John Grisham's novels are empty and meaningless, without soul.

Mr.Wilder is the director, we know; we have Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich: what a cast! Add a superb black and white cinematography... The result is amazing, with a film where dialogues are flawless and carry everything.

Times are different now, but the atmosphere and the taste of movies like this one are impossible to find in contemporary films.