Trial and Error

Original title: The Dock Brief

1962
1h 16m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

An incompetent barrister is assigned to defend an accused wife murderer.An incompetent barrister is assigned to defend an accused wife murderer.An incompetent barrister is assigned to defend an accused wife murderer.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

620

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 1 nomination total

Photos8

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Although this film has been shown on British television many times in the 21st century, it has always been screened under its American title of "Trial And Error", not as "The Dock Brief", its original and proper title. Furthermore, it has been released on DVD in the UK under its American title as well.

Goofs
While Morgenhall is waiting for his "first case," a series of crossword puzzles are shown, as "time passes." Unfortunately, the puzzles are not in numerical order --- their numbers go up and down, never continually increasing, as they should as the months and years go "passing by."

Quotes
Morgenhall: What is your name?
Fowle: Herbert Fowle.
Morgenhall: The surprise witness.
Fowle: Oh, you... you mean I'd need a different name?
Morgenhall: Yes, precisely.
Fowle: Hmm. That's where we're stuck now..

Connections
Referenced in A Patch of Blue (1965)

User reviews22

Review

Featured review

6/10

Trial and Error

A more measured effort from Peter Sellers as solicitor "Morgenhall" makes for a better film here than I was expecting. His job is to defend Richard Attenborough ("Fowle)" who is accused of murdering his wife "Doris" (Beryl Reid). Despite being a lawyer for ages, this is his very first case in a court and oh, for the avoidance of any doubt we, the audience, know his client is as guilty as sin! James Hill allows both Sellers and Attenborough to act here; the rest of the courtroom drama style of production is basic and efficient and that just accentuates the skills on offer - great comic timing amongst them. The dialogue is manna from heaven for Sellers, and by the end I dare anyone not to have quite bit of sympathy for poor old "Fowle". It isn't a great film, you probably won't even remember it afterwards, but it passes 90 minutes engagingly enough.