Witness for the Prosecution

1982
7.1| 1h37m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 04 December 1982 Released
Producted By: Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

Sir Wilfred Robarts, a famed barrister is released from the hospital, where he stayed for two months following his heart attack. Returning to the practise of his lawyer skills, he takes the case of Leonard Vole, an unemployed man who is accused of murdering an elderly lady friend of his, Mrs. Emily French. While Leonard Vole claims he's innocent, although all evidence points to him as the killer, his alibi witness, his cold German wife Christine, instead of entering the court as a witness for the defense, she becomes the witness for the prosecution and strongly claims her husband is guilty of the murder.

Genre

Crime

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Director

Alan Gibson

Production Companies

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

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Witness for the Prosecution Audience Reviews

Mjeteconer Just perfect...
Beanbioca As Good As It Gets
ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.
Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
jjnxn-1 Excellent TV version of the Agatha Christie classic with an amazing array of talent for this type of enterprise. This is the sort of high quality fare that was standard on American television in the 70s & 80s and is sadly missing today. Bridges is okay but miscast. Leonard Vole needs to be played by someone with a slick charm as it was by Tyrone Power in the original, a persona like George Clooney projects now and Bridges while a capable actor doesn't have that quality. Therefore he is easily put in the shade by the powerhouse team of Sir Ralph Richardson and Diana Rigg. Both give exceptional performances, Richardson sly, knowing and wise while Diana Rigg is perfect as the determined if misguided Christine. Deborah Kerr provides a nice light touch as Richardson nurse. Good fun all around.
nellybly-3 I benefited by watching the 1957 version and this one within hours of each other. Each has it's weaknesses and strengths. The major weakness IMO of this version was the music used. It intruded and didn't match the mood of the story. Though Ralph Richardson's portrayal doesn't have the bravado of Charles Laughton's, he brought a quiet conviction to the part. Beau Bridges was compared unfavorably to Tyrone Power but he (Bridges) showed the boyish charm that would take in a lonely older woman who would want to mother him or even marry him. Power came across as more mature and world weary though he did bring his own brand of charm to the part. Diana Rigg was very good but I felt Marlene Dietrich in the 1957 film was the better actress, especially, as a native German speaker, she was able to pull off a Cockney (or near enough) accent. People have said the scene where Sir Wilfred meets the "Cockney" woman differed and that the 1957 version was the correct and superior one have got it wrong. This version's meeting is the one in the short story the movies were based on. Never having seen the play or read a copy I can't say which meeting was used in it but I do own the book that contains the short story and have recently read it.There are complaints that they followed almost word for word and scene for scene the Wilder version but I don't have a problem with that. A good story is a good story and they wouldn't be the first nor the last to do such a thing.
didi-5 Based on the same script and set-up as the famous Billy Wilder version, which starred Tyrone Power, Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, and Elsa Lanchester, this TV version tries to impress but doesn't quite make it.This time around the possible murderer is Beau Bridges, Ralph Richardson is the lawyer, Diana Rigg is the mysterious wife, and Deborah Kerr the nurse. Although they are all good, they can't hold a candle to the classic performances.This Agatha Christie tale was always on the clunky side - too much going on and an unrealistic conclusion. For a TV movie it works well, perhaps more successfully than a new theatrical remake. It just doesn't remove memories of the superior original.
Daniel P. Christopher I have never liked the murder mystery genre. However, this is one of my favorite films. I have also seen the original 1957 version starring Marlene Dietrich and think this version is far better. Why ? Because this version is more compelling, and the cast is excellent. But by far, it is because Diana Rigg is PERFECT in her role and outshines the rest of the cast.