Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.
Directed by Otto Preminger
adultery
jealousy
rape
based on novel or book
court case
michigan
judge
hays code
jazz
jurors
trial
lawyer
black and white
courtroom
murder trial
courtroom drama
Rank
#6 in 1959·#506 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
4.2 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
James Stewart
Paul "Pauly" Biegler
Lee Remick
Laura Manion
Ben Gazzara
Lieutenant Frederick "Manny" Manion
Arthur O'Connell
Parnell Emmett "Parn" McCarthy
Eve Arden
Maida Rutledge
Kathryn Grant
Mary Pilant
George C. Scott
AAG Claude Dancer
Orson Bean
Dr. Matthew Smith
Russ Brown
Deputy Sheriff George Lemon
Murray Hamilton
Alphonse "Al" Paquette
Brooks West
DA Mitchell "Mitch" Lodwick
Ken Lynch
Det. Sgt. James "Jim" Durgo
Crew
Otto Preminger
Director
Duke Ellington
Original Music Composer
Sam Leavitt
Director of Photography
Otto Preminger
Producer
Boris Leven
Production Design
Popular Reviews
505 reviews
Koebe
8.0★ · 03/28/26
Literally how do long movies feel shorter than short movies
Literally how do long movies feel shorter than short movies
1
carter canfield
8.0★ · 09/18/23
I love a court drama with great dialogue.
However… it was clear the whole movie that the defendant is a horrible person, so I spent a majority of the movie not even wanting the protagonist to win
I love a court drama with great dialogue.
However… it was clear the whole movie that the defendant is a horrible person, so I spent a majority of the movie not even wanting the protagonist to win
1
Stefan krieken
8.5★ · 04/12/26
Objection your Honor! High School debates are as important as a cross examination in a murder case
Objection your Honor! High School debates are as important as a cross examination in a murder case
Stockton DavisPRO
8.0★ · 05/23/26
A remarkable film. Pacing of this film was amazing it did not feel like it was almost three hours wrong. The first half of the film which was outside the court room did a great job setting the facts of the case. Once the facts were set the film then transitioned to the court room and this is where the film took off. James Stewart yet again with another amazing acting performance. He displayed his character personality extremely well. He had some great one liners. Some really funny one liners about “Good ole Johnny”. Truly a remarkable actor. The twist and turn of the plot with the prosecution and defendants constantly outwitting and outsmarting each other was amazing. My main issue with the film is it felt like it just abruptly ended and I didn’t find the ending satisfying or convincing. But other than that I would say this was a good film because of James Stewart and the twists and turns of the legal system. A remarkable film.
A remarkable film. Pacing of this film was amazing it did not feel like it was almost three hours wrong. The first half of the film which was outside the court room did a great job setting the facts of the case. Once the facts were set the film then transitioned to the court room and this is where the film took off. James Stewart yet again with another amazing acting performance. He displayed his character personality extremely well. He had some great one liners. Some really funny one liners about “Good ole Johnny”. Truly a remarkable actor. The twist and turn of the plot with the prosecution and defendants constantly outwitting and outsmarting each other was amazing. My main issue with the film is it felt like it just abruptly ended and I didn’t find the ending satisfying or convincing. But other than that I would say this was a good film because of James Stewart and the twists and turns of the legal system. A remarkable film.
HamVirtuoso
9.0★ · 05/18/26
The rhythm of the dialogue and the brilliant back and forth between the characters is so engrossing. The film really places the focus on the importance of words and storytelling rather than the common theme of justice, especially in the context of a courtroom drama.
The rhythm of the dialogue and the brilliant back and forth between the characters is so engrossing. The film really places the focus on the importance of words and storytelling rather than the common theme of justice, especially in the context of a courtroom drama.