Clarence Earl Gideon was arrested for a petty crime, and because he couldn’t afford an attorney asked the court to assign him one. His request was denied. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in the Florida State Prison. End of story? Hardly. Using a pencil and prison letterhead, he appealed to the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari. Arguing that the lower court had deprived him of his Sixth Amendment right to have an attorney for his defense and that he had been denied due process under the Fourteenth Amendment, Gideon told the Court that as a layman he was incapable of defending himself.

Gideon’s chance of finding a needle in a haystack was infinitely better than having his case heard by the Supreme Court. But—miracle of miracles— it was. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) changed the whole course of American legal history. Thus the reason for the TV movie, starring Henry Fonda as Clarence Earl Gideon. The story follows Gideon’s improbable journey, from the crime scene to a Florida courthouse to a Florida prison cell. Also included are scenes inside the U.S. Supreme Court and inside one of Washington D.C.’s most prestigious law firms. The lead attorney to argue Gideon’s case was Abe Fortas, played convincingly by Jose Ferrer, and actor John Houseman makes for a decidedly formidable chief justice Earl Warren. We know the outcome of the case, but that does not lesson the drama of the story and, of course, it’s a marvel to watch the brilliant Fonda play Clarence Gideon, a down-on-his luck auto mechanic who nonetheless was shrewd and persistent, caught a break, and changed legal history. Never again would the accused be deprived of legal representation. Only in America do such things happen.

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genie

Gideon's Trumpet

Revisado en Reino Unido el 10 de abril de 2013

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Henry Fonda is a very good actor. It's a moveing story and challenging. I enjoyed watching it with the family

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Earl A. Myers, Jr.

Fonda's Best

Revisado en los Estados Unidos el 22 de abril de 2009

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I've seen most of Henry Fonda's films and this ranks among his very best. He has captured the flawed character of Clarence Earl Gideon like no other actor.This seemingly inconsequential individual who changed the course of American jurisprudence through his appeal to the US Supreme Court for legal representation is portrayed by Fonda so convincingly and so assuredly that Fonda and Gideon become indivisible.

One is equally astonished that the High Court gave such consideration to a relatively minor infraction of the law, and in doing so, gave everyone like the obscure,impoverished Gideon the right to council regardless of their station in life.

As has been stated elsewhere, this film is both an entertaining and informative experience. It is a must see for law students and laymen alike.

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Andrew

Workman-like film which tells the story of the landmark US Supreme Court case

Revisado en Reino Unido el 17 de noviembre de 2010

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The film is in 4.3 format, probably therefore made for TV (if I am correct), and tells the story of the landmark US Supreme court case which held that an accused person, who cannot afford a lawyer to present his or her case, has a constitutional right to have one appointed by the court at public expense. The film is essentially carried in dramatic terms by the performance of Henry Fonda as Gideon. Interestingly, it also points out that the fact that the case came before the Supreme Court was as much due to luck as anything else, given thta the court has to choose between a vast number of cases presented to them, and in Gideon's case, it was his own hand-written appeal which caught the eye of a justice. It is well worth viewing, especially by law students.

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Kenneth P. Walker

Interesting, yet somewhat flawed account

Revisado en los Estados Unidos el 13 de abril de 2014

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I teach two law courses in high school and community college: one is an introduction to criminal law, and the other an introduction to civil law. This depiction of the Gideon decision leaves out details that a viewer would find interesting. I believe this is because the run time of the film would have become unacceptable...or perhaps the producers wanted to make Gideon to be an everyman's hero.

The real life Clarence Earl Gideon was not the likeable fellow as portrayed by Henry Fonda. However, this does not detract from the impact of the film. The basic story, that of a man wronged by the legal system, stands on its own. Some names are changed (for example, Lester Wade's real name is Henry Cook), and some testimony is left out. I suppose to include everything was not possible.

However, key parts of testimony in court and argument before the Supreme Court are put on display for the viewer. The film uses parts of actual testimony from all court proceedings. I consider this a strength of the film. You literally hear the true words spoken by the participants at certain points of this film.

What makes the film have an even greater impact is the cast. Henry Fonda, John Houseman, Sam Jaffe (one of his last roles), Jose Ferrer, Fay Wray (her last role!), Lane Smith...all do a fine job. In my opinion, it is one of Fonda's finest performances. It is a pity that the Supreme Court justices were not using names, but a bit of research would allow one to figure out the majors players that shaped the decision.

High school teachers---your students will enjoy this film. I have used this film for the past eight years, and it never fails to make an impact or foster discussion and talking points in the classroom. Discussion, debate, and writing all flow naturally from this film, and the more curious among them often want to know more about the true life characters. I've had students act with surprise at what happens to Abe Fortas later in life.

I suggest reading the book Gideon's Trumpet by Anthony Lewis if one has a chance to do so. As the New York Times Supreme Court reporter for years, he gives insights that the average person simply does not know.

Enjoy this film. I know I did.

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