Witness for the Prosecution | Rotten Tomatoes

Witness for the Prosecution

Released Dec 21, 1957

1h 54m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

100%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

95%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.

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Critics Consensus

Witness for the Prosecution combines a fascinating character study with a brilliantly unpredictable plot to produce a practically flawless Agatha Christie adaptation.

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Clayton Dillard

Slant Magazine

The film is an alchemic triumph of effortless story execution, pinpoint humor, and acting masterclass.

Feb 13, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

[A] witty and gripping adaptation of her [Agatha Christie's] twist-heavy courtroom stage drama.

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

Witness For The Prosecution has the pace and patience of live theater, but not the look. Wilder doesn't get overly flashy with camera moves and angles, but he does shift positioning subtly and effectively.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 22, 2014

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Along with 1945’s And Then There Were None, this is the greatest of all the Agatha Christie adaptations that have been brought to the screen.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 10, 2024

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Laughton takes what could be a hammy role—the brilliant legal mind, theatrical courtroom performer, and wily curmudgeon...—and invests it with a sense of passion for his work and a sense of duty and honor beyond winning,

Mar 4, 2023

Full Review

Ian Kane

Epoch Times

In the end, “Witness for the Prosecution” is a taut, fascinating character study featuring crisp acting, excellent direction, and a compelling plot with many unexpected twists that will keep you guessing...

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 17, 2023

Full Review

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Alec C

In court, everyone has something that contradicts what's true and what isn't! As an aging lawyer takes on a client accused of a murder, he starts to suspect that there are much deeper secrets that both the defendant and the the defendants wife are hiding. A twisted thriller that only Agatha Christie can come up with, this legal mystery has us on the edge of our toes!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/21/24

Full Review

Grant H

A delight from the opening credits to the closing. Charles Laughton at the height of his skills and supported by a stellar cast. It's a shame they don't make them like this anymore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

Full Review

Tim M

Keeping the crisp dialogue and plot machinations from Agatha Christie's seminal play, Billy Wilder's Witness for the Prosecution remains a tentpole courtroom drama.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

Tom R

Dated, yes, at times hammy, certainly. But awesome performances from both Laughton and Dietrich. Very enjoyable overall.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

Lanfranco C

One of the best Legal Thrillers in the history of the cinema

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

Full Review

Esra Y

I love trial movies and unreliable narrators. Movie delivers well on both aspects Marlene shining bright as always. Very good adaptation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/25/23

Full Review

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Billy Wilder

Director

Tyrone Power

Leonard Stephen Vole

Marlene Dietrich

Christine Helm Vole

Charles Laughton

Sir Wilfrid Robarts

Elsa Lanchester

Miss Plimsoll

John Williams

Mr. Brogan-Moore

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Synopsis

The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenwriter: Agatha Christie, Lawrence B. Marcus, Billy Wilder, Harry Kurnitz
Distributor: United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 1.66:1

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