12 Angry Men
12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men

1957Movie97 minEnglish

The defense and the prosecution have rested and the jury is filing into the jury room to decide if a young Spanish-American is guilty or innocent of murdering his father. What begins as an open and shut case soon becomes a mini-drama of each of the jurors' prejudices and preconceptions about the trial, the accused, and each other.

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Insights

IMDb9.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Metacritic97/100
Google Users96%
Director: Sidney LumetGenres: Drama, Courtroom Drama

Plot Summary

A jury of twelve men must decide the fate of a young man accused of murder. As the deliberation begins, eleven jurors are convinced of his guilt, but one juror, Juror 8, votes not guilty, raising doubts and initiating a passionate debate about reasonable doubt. The film meticulously explores prejudice, social class, and the complexities of the American justice system as the jurors confront their own biases and engage in intense psychological conflict.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, '12 Angry Men' was widely praised by critics for its powerful performances, sharp writing, and compelling direction. It resonated with audiences for its thought-provoking examination of justice and civic duty. Over the decades, its reputation has only grown, solidifying its status as a cinematic masterpiece and a benchmark for courtroom dramas.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterclass in minimalistic filmmaking, relying heavily on dialogue and performance to build tension.
  • Praised for its unflinching examination of prejudice and the importance of civic responsibility.
  • Considered one of the greatest films ever made, particularly for its potent social commentary and dramatic power.

Google audience: Audiences consistently praise '12 Angry Men' for its intense, gripping dialogue and the powerful performances of its cast. Many highlight its enduring relevance in discussing justice, bias, and the importance of critical thinking, often calling it a must-watch film.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Won the Golden Bear at the 6th Berlin International Film Festival. Added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1997.

Fun Fact

The entire film takes place within the confines of the jury room, with no scenes shot outside of it, enhancing the claustrophobic tension of the deliberation.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

8 reviews
James

James

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Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**A very well-made film, with great actors.** As a non-American myself, it's a little tricky for me to understand how well this justice system works. Don't get me wrong, but in my country it is not usual to resort to this type of trials,...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Twelve jurors are sent to their deliberating room after hearing the evidence in a murder trial. It's potentially the hottest day of the year as this collection of white, male, individuals take their seats around the table and wait for forem...
Krakatoa69

Krakatoa69

Unassuming. This is the first impression one may have, upon reading what this movie is about: 12 jurors deliberate about a murder case, where the accused suspect is the victim's son, a 18 y.o. boy. They must reach a unanimous verdict of gui...
AstroNoud

AstroNoud

A timeless classic in which the characters really come to life. Slowly exposing each man's thoughts, personalities and prejudices, ‘12 Angry Men’ isn't really about solving the crime, but about the power of reasoning, discussion and dialogu...
barrymost

barrymost

Jurors: Martin Balsam John Fiedler Lee J. Cobb E.G. Marshall Jack Klugman Edward Binns Jack Warden Henry Fonda Joseph Sweeney Ed Begley George Voskovec Robert Webber 12 jurors deliberate on the guilt o...
John Chard

John Chard

Unlikely, but it is possible. 12 Angry Men is directed by Sidney Lumet and adapted from a teleplay of the same name by Reginald Rose. The cast is headed by Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb. The film tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men...
Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

Master piece. Fantastic script and evolution of the characters.