12 Angry Men
by Robbo
Posted on 26 April 2021
Rating -
12 Angry Men is a 1957 American courtroom drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, adapted from a 1954 teleplay of the same name by Reginald Rose.
The film tells the story of a jury of 12 men as they deliberate the conviction or acquittal of an 18-year old defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt, forcing the jurors to question their morals and values.
12 Angry Men explores many techniques of consensus-building and the difficulties encountered in the process among this group of men whose range of personalities adds to the intensity and conflict. It also explores the power one person has to elicit change.
The jury members are identified only by number; no names are revealed until an exchange of dialogue at the very end.
The film forces the characters and audience to evaluate their own self-image through observing the personality, experiences, and actions of the jurors. The film is also notable for its almost exclusive use of one set, where all but three minutes of the film takes place.
12 Angry Men is a powerful and provocative drama with the close confines of the jury room making it taut and compelling.
It gives us a psychological insight into our own personalities, and how our own experiences and prejudices can influence the decisions we make.
This film was adapted from a TV play, hence the single location setting as it would have been broadcast live, but this adds to the tension and feeling of claustrophobia.
12 Angry Men is on my top 10 list of favourite films and is a must see.
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