12 Angry Men (1957) NR
Angry Men With a Point to Prove
It is a humorous, or rather, ironic, anecdote that when screen classic 12 Angry Men was remade for television in the late-90's, the three main changes from the original were: A female judge, no jury room smoking, and the insertion of profanity!
It really says a lot, doesn't it, that society has come to view employment equality, and our physical health and safety so far in advance of our moral health, that it takes away the seemingly bad (public smoking, and a male judge) and allows the apparently benign (foul language) to be added...and the world doesn't bat an eye! We won't get into that discussion today, but ironic certainly is one word to describe it, or maybe staggeringly hypocritical, another. That's two words, actually, but you know what I mean.
So forget about the 1997 version, the original and best from 1957 is the copy of 12 Angry Men to go rent or buy this week. Most movie lovers will be aware of this critically acclaimed courtroom drama epic. Filled with a palpable tension, bigotry, and hate, 12 Angry Men is power from go to whoa.
Starring Henry Fonda as Juror #8, the one dissenting vote in an otherwise clear-cut murder case, and a raft of Hollywood's best, including Jack Klugman, Lee J. Cobb, and John Fiedler (the voice of Winne-the-Pooh's Piglet), 12 Angry Men pits justice against convenience, and true guilt against the circumstantial.
It begs the question of whether a human's worth can be measured in the color of his skin, his relative value in terms of fiscal contribution to society, or his future potential to 'become something'. For the times, those were big questions.
It also is a stirring reminder of the literal nature of Lady Justice, and that her scales and sword are accompanied by the blindfold of objectivity.
As the movie starts, twelve very different, all-white male jurors are receiving instructions from the judge in the case of a young ghetto-dwelling African-American man's alleged murder of his father.
As the jurors gather to deliberate, it is clear that pre-conceived notions of the man's guilt are rife. In fact, the initial vote, mandated by the foreman in order to get out of the courtroom quickly, is 11 to 1. Even that one vote, Fonda's, is met with disbelief by the rest.
But, because of the need to return a unanimous verdict, the jury is forced to discuss the matter, and Fonda is a marked man. In the end though, all Fonda wants is for each man to think for themselves, and not be swayed by mob rule, but to stand up for the life of the young man on trial, and give him what he deserves - fair consideration.
Fonda's passion helps sway a couple of jurors to his side of the argument. Passion then is replaced by facts, such as the eye witness elderly woman that couldn't remember if she had her glasses on or not, or the other witness that really just wanted some attention. Or the uniquely engraved and formed murder weapon, a switch-blade found in the accused's possession that Fonda pulls dramatically from his coat pocket to emphasize how totally non-unique, and widely available it was. There are a number of such moments where we see the light of realisation flicker on in the minds of the different jurors as they eventually turn to not guilty.
In the end, it is still 11 to 1 in the verdict vote, but this time in the not-guilty direction, leaving one last juror, consumed by prejudice, to be turned.
With exceptional camera work that adds as much to the intensity of the film as any modern CGI or other such device, and dialogue and acting of the highest order, 12 Angry Men will leave you revelling in the beauty of justice in its purest form. There is only one if only associated with this movie, which is, IF ONLY, justice was always this well meted out by the courts.
Aside from the ubiquitous smoking, and constantly smoke-filled room, there is no ambush to be seen. Teens from about 13 or 14 upwards will enjoy this film, having by then received some degree of education in the justice system.
As an experience, 12 Angry Men is as thought provoking as they come, and in my view, an absolute necessity for every DVD collection.
Available at most DVD.
By Brett Stringer
