94. Witness for the Prosecution

Billy Wilder, 1957

It seems that with my last several postings, I have been dealing primarily with the looks of films, choosing movies with flashy costumes and production design, and, while I have been discussing acting, it has been primarily to point out heavily stylized or, let's face it, heavily campy performances.  This film, however, is different.  It is all about the acting and the characters.  Let me say right off, though, that that is by no means a slight to the look of the film.  I have a great deal of respect for Billy Wilder as a director and I adore his sparing use of the camera, let alone his ability to deal with both deathly serious and wildly comical subjects, often in the same movie, but I will talk at length about Mr. Wilder elsewhere in the list.  For now, let me talk about the two people who really make Witness for the Prosecution one of my favorite movies: Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton.  Dietrich plays Mrs. Christine Vole, wife of accused murderer Leonard Vole (played by Zorro himself, Tyrone Power, in his final role).  Dietrich's Christine is an unbelievable cold and calculating woman whose true emotions are impossible to tell.  She expertly crafts an enigma for the viewer, never letting show her true self until the very end of the picture and adding to the overall mystery of what really happened as it unfolds through the film's central courtroom drama.  Christine, I should point out, is the title character, the witness for the prosecution, further confusing the truth of her loyalties as he refuses to take the stand in defense of her husband.  The film offers an excellent showcase for Dietrich's acting prowess, showing not only how effective she can be as a detached mystery woman, but displaying a full range of emotions and acting styles.  I am reluctant, however, to go into further details on that point for those who have not seen the movie, but once you have, I think you'll see what I mean.

As I said, the plot of Witness for the Prosecution unfolds as a courtroom drama.  We do not see the crime itself, but watch the story unfold through its litigation.  It's a bit like only watching the second half of Law and Order.  Because, after all, the first half is always so blah.  Oh sure, I like the old detective dude, or did, but I don't ever like any of his partners.  Also, I like Sam Waterson a lot better and, you know, I kind of have a thing for Angie Harmon, so that second half. . . wait.  Where was I?  Right.  So, it's a trial and Mr. Vole's lawyer is none other than Charles Laughton.  Now, make no mistake, while he may only have third billing, this is Laughton's movie all the way.  With the role of Sir Wilfrid Robarts, Laughton crafts one of his most memorable characters.  When we join Sir Wilfrid, he is recovering from a heart attack.  Beleaguered by his ever present nurse, Sir Wilfrid immediately endears himself to the audience both with his rapier wit and the amusing ways in which he attempts to defy his nurse, not only by taking this intriguing case, but by stealing and then secreting away cigars and alcohol, hiding them throughout his private office for later.  It is through Sir Wilfrid that we watch everything unfold and his reactions are always as perfect as his schemes.  So often he takes in the case with the cool ability of a man long comfortable in his role, but when surprises come, and they do come, particularly in the wholly unexpected twist ending, which I won't reveal here, his own surprise and outrage is perfectly relatable and perfectly entertaining.  In the end, this is as well crafted, well acted, and just flat out entertaining as just about any movie on this list and is easily my favorite courtroom drama, at least as regards those told from the point of view of the lawyer.