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| Special Features: |
Widescreen format.
Chapter selection.
Theatrical trailer.
Closed captioned.
Black and White.
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| Video Format: |
Widescreen (1.66:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital) Mono.
French (Dolby Digital) Mono.
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| Captions: |
French, Spanish.
English closed captioned.
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| Sides: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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Billy Wilder is one of my favorite directors. Even his bad movies, "Fedora" for example are worth watching. I just wish most new directors could make a film as good as a bad Billy Wilder movie. "Witness for the Prosecution" is one of Wilder's best. The movie was nominated for six Oscars. While the courtroom drama is somewhat stagy, it is a fun who done it filled with great performances and a great twist ending.
Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is an ex-GI living in England. He is married to Christine (Marlene Dietrich), a German war bride. Leonard stands accused of the murder of a frumpy English matron whom Leonard had befriended. The victim has left her estate to Leonard. Leonard needs a barrister. In England there are two types of lawyers, solicitors and barristers. Solicitors handle out of court affairs while the Barrister is the trial lawyer. Leonard needs the best. Unfortunately for him, the best is Sir. Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton). Unfortunate because Sir. Wilfrid has heart problems and the doctor has decreed that he do no more trials. The cantankerous barrister, who loves cigars and brandy decides to take the case anyway after becoming convinced of Leonard 's innocence. What follows is a battle of wits as Sir. Wilfrid defends Leonard against formidable odds and a nervy prosecutor. As Charles Laughton implores in the theatrical trailer, "Do not tell your friends the ending of this movie!" I'll defer to Mr. Laughton's wisdom and tell you no more.
The rich characters brought to life in great performance after great performance make this movie fresh every time you see it. Tyrone Power is appropriately oily as the lady killer who makes no secret that he's not the most faithful guy in town. Marlene Dietrich is as sexy as ever. She had so much charisma. I was struck by how much Madonna owes to her. Ms. Dietrich's exploits rivaled those of the material girl. It is alleged she slept with everyone from Greta Garbo to General George S. Patton. Elsa Lanchester is very annoying as the busybody nurse who tries her best to keep Sir. Wilfrid from his cigars and brandy. Above all, Ms. Lanchester's real life husband, Charles Laughton shines as Sir. Wilfrid. The character of Sir. Wilfrid rivals Miss. Marple or Hercule Peroit as great characters in crime fiction. It is a shame that Mr. Laughton did not make other Sir. Wilfrid movies. If you haven't seen this classic, by all means do. If you have, MGM’s new DVD is the best way to watch it.
Great movie. Good picture and sound. No extras.
Picture Quality: 10/10
Great black and white photography. No artifacts.
Sound Quality: 8/10
The sound was somewhat flat. I know it is an older film and I have become somewhat jaded by all the surround sound effects from newer movies. You don't miss any dialogue though.
Menu: 7/10
The menu has a theatrical quality. Stills made to look like stage actors in a spotlight. Nothing special. It does get the job done. Easy to navigate.
Extra Features: 2/10
Only a theatrical trailer. I know this is a vanilla DVD, but I wish the studios would dig into their vaults for newsreel footage to accentuate their classic movie DVDs. Just because a movie is old doesn't mean that film fans and historians aren't interested in the behind the scenes footage.
The Final Word:
One of my all time favorite films. A classic that is worth having in your library. A bit over-priced for a vanilla DVD but still worth it!
Rusty White
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