Home :: DVD :: Mystery & Suspense :: Crime  

Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem
British Mystery Theater
Classics
Crime

Detectives
Film Noir
General
Mystery
Mystery & Suspense Masters
Neo-Noir
Series & Sequels
Suspense
Thrillers
12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men

List Price: $14.95
Your Price: $11.21
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 5 6 .. 13 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another of my favorite films
Review: "12 Angry Men" is definately a classic film in retrospect of character, setting, and storyline. Each juror is different in personality some how, the setting is not the big city the men are in but instead the tiny jury room, and there is no harrowing love story or cackling villain but instead a simple debate: should they let a man free or sentence him guilty?

Henry Fonda is the first juror to say no, not because he really believes the man is innocent, but because he doesn't feel men should just so quickly judge a man when the option other than freedom is his life. However, Fonda's reasoning wins over another juror...and so the movie continues.

In many ways, its a mystery disguised as a drama. The 12 jurors slowly redo the whole case, gathering up their own evidence or re-examining the alibis and statements of the witnesses involved. There are several twists that keep the film interesting all the way to the conclusion.

You would think a movie about 12 men in one room arguing with each other back and forth wouldn't make for an interesting picture, but "12 Angry Men" proves that wrong, in every way.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Drama!
Review: Question: How can 12 ANGRY MEN be such an exciting and compelling movie when it has only twelve characters, one set, a relatively brief running time, and little physical action? Answer: Because it has a deftly written script and superb acting by the entire cast. I won't summarize the story, as you probably know it already. Let me just say that each actor is perfect in his role, but that the great Lee J. Cobb truly stands out as the juror who, by repeatedly voting "guilty," is really trying to punish his own son, who abandoned him. As explosive as Cobb's performance is, I cried at the end when he suddenly breaks down weeping and says, "Not guilty." One feels that Cobb's character is finally "cleansing" himself of the pain that he has suppressed for years. This is just one of countless memorable moments in this brilliantly written, directed, and acted film. 12 ANGRY MEN is a great drama from start to finish. You MUST see it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: They just don't build them like that anymore
Review: After nearly half a century this film still shines like the chrome on a brand-new 1957 Chevy convertible. Probably the best description I've ever heard is from a Frenchman who described this movie as "an ever building wave that crashes in the final three minutes." Damn right. This is generally thought of as a "Henry Fonda movie," but watch Lee Cobb steal the whole film in just 3 minutes at the end with one of the greatest performances ever put on celluloid. Cobb could just have well have packed the film reels in the trunk of his car and driven them home from the studio. This is definitely one to buy and keep in the collection. A national treasure.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 11 prejudiced men
Review: We can all learn from this movie. With a little time and patience, the truth comes out, only because one of the jurors, played by Henry Fonda, is intuitive enough to question the evidence. He has a reasonable doubt, and soon proves to the others that they, too, had some doubt in their minds about the man's guilt or innocence. An excellent cast of characters with all-too-real flaws and prejudices. Well done.

12 ANGRY MEN should be mandatory viewing for all potential jurors. I mean, have you seen some of the neanderthals that are serving on juries, today? It's scary to think that these people could, someday, be deciding YOUR fate!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An amazing story
Review: "12 Angry Men" is truly an amazing story. All the evidence in the murder case on the surface is rock solid and 11 of the 12 jurors vote guilty right off the bat, but one juror, juror #8, votes not guilty and questions every single piece of evidence that seemed to be rock solid. Throughout the course of the movie he tries to convince the other 11 jurors of his reasonable doubt.A true classic and it shows that even against all odds one person can make a difference.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 12 Angry Men
Review: One of my all time favorite movies. Should be required viewing for every high school student . It is a first rate example of how we bring our beliefs our experinces and our temperments to the jury system.Where would each of us fit in. No.1 the leader tries to keep order stays calm as the tension grows. No.2 mild mannered but shows he's tougher than first thought. No.3 sees everything in black and white unwilling to believe he could be wrong. His blustry attitude masks deep pain. No 4. controlled and methodical,until another jurors out burst causes him to take control when no one else will. No 5 came up the hard way and brings important imformation no one else could know about. No.6 protective of the defensless in time this attitude makes him view the case in a diffent light. No.7 he will do anything if he can just get out of there. No.8 he's the lone holdout,he takes his duty seriously and wants everyone else to do the same after all someones life is on the line.No.9The first one to admit he may have voted wrong and is both humble enough and brave enough to admit it. He is also one of the more observant members of the jury which is displayed throughout the movie .No10 alot like no.3 but less pivotal and his attiude more just the way he is no layer of pain is noticed. N0.11 reminds us all of the importance of jury duty and why we should want to serve and do a good job as an immigrant he undrstands what the rest of us all to often take fo granted- the system is us we can't ignore that even though we too often want to and do. N0.12 is pretty annoying and really does not offer much to the proceedings but does the right thing. See yourself in any of these men? If your like me you most likely see yourself in more than one of them and the actors to their credit help us see ourselfs and make us think. Fonda gives us an intense but not overplayed proformance.Cobb is his perfect opposite he chews the scenery but it hits all the right marks . Everyone else is somewhere in between. A first rate cast.Check it out if you've never seen it, you have see it again you will not be sorry.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fantastic Discussion Fodder, Decent Movie
Review: When considering a movie like "12 Angry Men," it is difficult to separate a critical perspective from a sociological one.

As a look into the sociology of this demographically similar collection of jurors, the movie is profound. It hits the oft-discussed issues of prejudice based on age, country of origin, economics and education. It came out in 1957, a time when racial unrest was brewing in a way we had never seen, and when fear of people from another country (Russians) was heightened through the bigoted efforts of Joseph McCarthy.

"12 Angry Men" needed to be made and viewed, but it isn't perfect. The ideas put forth are necessary to discuss, and worthy of response, but it misses the power of "Inherit the Wind" or "To Kill a Mockingbird."

We are introduced capably to the inner sanctum of the juror room, where decisions are made by ordinary men, each with agendas and biases. This room is where justice happens, or fear prevails, and screenwriter Reginald Rose shows us how fragile justice can be. However, in that fragility, Rose also lets us see the hopeful side of it all, that even the most biased of men is more than his sheer ignorance.

As a movie to be considered for its screenwriting and directing, the criticisms come easier. Though the actors are among the best America has ever had together in one movie, they occasionally come off canned and overscripted. Fonda's soliloquies don't always seem sincere, and this reduces their impact on the audience. He reminds me of a prototypical Phil Donahue, pontificating from a bully pulpit. He even has the pose in one crucial scene where he leans on his leg while standing to make his point.

In fact, as each juror presents his views, the viewer is forced to see not a complex character develop, but a projection of one aspect of American society. It isn't as natural as it could be.

One character who needs highlighting is Jack Klugman. His role as a guy who grew up in the ghetto, but broke out and made good is impressive. He is plausible. He looks like a clean-cut suburban man, but speaks with authority when addressing the others about his background as it relates to the case.

Should you watch it? Absolutely. Watch it with others, especially students, then talk about the film.

Anthony Trendl

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A powerhouse of a film, everything movies should be
Review: "12 Angry Men" is a masterpiece of stage production to film transition. It is the quintessential one-set, one-act story, where the power of the story and the quality of the acting are so gripping that you never even notice the sparse setting.

Group dynamics are the theme of this story, as leaders emerge, personalities change, and text-book scenarios of group communication unfold. However, there is no sense of stodgy academia or creative exercise. It truly is a powerful, edge-of-the-seat type of story.

Unfortunately, the DVD adds little, although with a film this great extras are not needed. The film looks good, and has aged like a fine wine.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a must see
Review: 12 ANGRY MAN is a sophisticated, undoubtedly interesting, clever and exciting film. It's interesting how a court drama can be so full and emotionally charged with no actual trial footage, simply using 12 amazing actors which have wonderful chemistry and a terrific script and directing. it's a must!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Classic with Brains
Review: Now this movie represents everything a classic should be. Not only was it well directed, it was also very well written and has superb acting. "12 Angry Men" is a great film that never gets boring and never loses its impact.

The story's pretty simple. The film is about a murder case that accuses a teenager of murdering his father. The evidence against him is overwhelming. When it comes to deciding the verdict in the Jury Room, eleven jurors think the boy's "guilty" without any hesitation. There is one, however, who believes there's a chance that the boy is innocent. It's up to one juror to convince the other eleven of why he believes the way he does in this explosive drama with brains.

I really do consider this a great film. I liked it when I first saw it in high school, and I like it now in my early twenties. It has a solid script, breath-taking acting, and an authentic look and feel to it. Sure, there's some dramatics to it all and some of the dialogue can be wishy-washy at times, but for the most part I think it's pretty solid.

The DVD doesn't have much to offer since it is an old film. The picture and sound quality is pretty good considering how long ago the film was made. There is an original theatrical trailer included but that's about it. It would be nice to see this film get the "special edition" treatment and I believe that its time will come.

"12 Angry Men" is a great film that I really enjoy. Sure, not everybody's going to like it. For those who like films with more action in it will most likely want to pass on it. If you don't like it when a movie takes place in one room for the majority of the time there's a chance you may not be impressed as well. If you're looking for a classic b&w film with a great script and fabulous acting, I recommend "12 Angry Men." It is something I can watch numerous times.


<< 1 2 3 4 5 6 .. 13 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates