Who payed the critics

An Exercise In Nonsense

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Witness for the Prosecution is one of the most entertaining courtroom stories of all time, written by the crime mistress herself, Agatha Christie. Charles Laughton completely owns the courtroom, starring as a famously brilliant barrister who's supposed to be taking a break for his health-but he gets drawn in by a truly compelling murder trial. Tyrone Power, in his last movie, has been accused of murdering a wealthy older woman. While all the evidence racks up against him, Charles doesn't give up hope and tries to win the case, all the while trying to crack the very hard nut Marlene Dietrich. Marlene is Tyrone's wife, and it's impossible to tell what she's really thinking or feeling.I love this story, and I love both versions of the film, from 1957 and 1982. It's incredibly suspenseful and interesting-and also quite impossible to talk about without giving spoilers. If you've never seen Witness for the Prosecution, add this one to your list of classics to rent. The acting is fantastic, and the timing makes it a very entertaining old movie to watch. There are no boring bits in this drama; and I guarantee you'll still sit on the edge of your seat the second time you watch it.

Naturally, the most popular Agatha Christie movie ever made, "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957), although it looks as British as Big Ben, was actually filmed in Hollywood. Thanks to its great cast - Tyrone Power and Una O'Connor in their final movies, Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, Elsa Lanchester, John Williams, Henry Daniell, and stage actor Francis Thompson as the judge - and the clever way the writers have opened out the stage play, this "Witness for the Prosecution" really grips and holds the interest even for those members of the audience (like myself) who know the plot backwards. Billy Wilder's direction is as adroit as ever, but on this occasion, it is skilfully impersonal, allowing players and plot to adroitly command and dominate center stage. This movie is currently available on an excellent 10/10 M-G-M DVD.

I watched this again recently (2017) after seeing the BBC version on TV.Sixty years on, it's a dated but still immensely entertaining take on Agatha Christie's short story. As with all Agatha Christie submissions, there are more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing and this re-telling is no different.Whereas the BBC 2017 version decided to go in the way of gloom and depression, the movie version is played for laughs for most of the time. The characters are exquisite and deep and the story makes sense and isn't hard to follow.The most fun derives from the relationship between aging defense attorney (Charles Laughton) and his fussy and stubborn nurse Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester). They could almost be married! He starts off by telling her that he should have stayed in his coma rather than wake up to her bossing him about! Lovely stuff!Unlike the short story, this is a courtroom drama all the way. Much of the movie is consumed with the grand old world of British traditional courtroom affairs. This has the effect of almost sidelining the drama of the murder itself. In fact; if Agatha Christie had taken on a commission to write an episode of Perry Mason, this is what she would have come up with!It's not perfect, though. The wartime flashbacks seem to be there to pad out the running time of an essentially simple story. I'm not sure that the shady meeting in the dark alley really works, either. But the star turns in front of (and behind) the lenses make this a satisfying way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.

I grew up reading her novels and it was a pleasure to watch it act out on screen.Her stories are always simple, and its the same here - A guy befriends an older woman in the hopes that she might sponsor his invention (an egg beater). She is murdered. He was the last person that she saw. Evidence is scant.What Agatha Christie does is build up full characters and give us nearly full information. When the movie is done, and we look back, its the simplicity that absolutely stands out. She is like a brilliant engineer.And there is beautiful heart touching love included in its core. Just go see it, its more fulfilling that an Avengers movie.