Anatomy of a Murder-1959

Director Otto Preminger

Starring James Stewart, Lee Remick

Scott’s Review #61

Reviewed June 24, 2014

Grade: B+

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) is a thought-provoking courtroom/legal thriller that is not a black-and-white, good and bad story.

It is more profound and more complex than that.

Starring James Stewart as an everyman defense attorney, the film, shot effectively in black and white, pushed barriers for its time by using certain words such as “rape” and “panties” that were never spoken in films before this time.

Much of the action takes place inside the courtroom.

The film pushed the envelope and is still enjoyable today.

Throughout the film, which is admittedly slow at times, the audience is unsure of the defendant’s guilt and wary and suspicious of him from the start, which creates great drama.

The rooting value is with Stewart, the hero, and the interesting supporting cast provides deeper layers than similar type films that risk being wordy or preachy.

As each new fact or twist and turn arrives throughout the film, it becomes more and more engaging until it reaches a satisfying climax.

Oscar Nominations: Best Motion Picture, Best Actor-James Stewart, Best Supporting Actor-Arthur O’Connell, George C. Scott, Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Film Editing