The Witness for the Prosecution

This is the first production of "Witness for the Prosecution" that is based on Agatha Christie's original short (23 pages) story first published in the January 31, 1925 edition of Flynn's Weekly under the title 'Traitor Hands'. She republished it in 1933 under the present title as part of a collection called 'The Hound of Death and other stories'. Christie expanded the story for her 1953 play, changing some of the character names and introducing Sir Wilfrid Robarts as the defense counsel. It is the play, not the short story, that has been the basis for all subsequent television and film versions.

Throughout the film they are addressing the judge as "your honour". That's American. In England a male judge is addressed to as "My Lord". Also Americanisms, Janet is hanged with an American-style coiled noose, not the simple eyelet noose used in Britain, and the hood put on her is black (as in America) not white (as in Britain).

Edited into a single, two hour film for its US home video and streaming release.

Version of Witness for the Prosecution (1949)