I went into this film really wanting to watch a great film, I really wanted to like it. The simplistic plot was actually a bonus for me, and I hoped that it panned out into a really good film.
What I actually got was nothing short of astounding. 12 Angry Men is a top class film. It’s truly superb. There are no special effects, no fancy intricate plot, just a superb film, sadly lost amongst todays high budget CGI nonsense.
There are 12 members of a jury working on a murder trial. The case seems open and shut, and the 18 year old boy is destined to be condemned to death in the electric chair. While in deliberation, only one man votes “not guilty” and slowly it’s upto him to try to convince the other 11 that there may be reasonable doubt as to the boy’s supposed guilt.
The film is packed with tension, with egos and prejudices, personalities and backgrounds. The acting is superb. I would list names of some of the better actors, but all twelve deserve merit. I found the film to be compelling viewing (my only break was to go to work :() and I was never bored. Through out I was caught up in the slow process of people overcoming prejudices, both towards the defendant and each other, and how an open and shut case was shown to be less clear that previously thought.
Of the 11 films I have seen so far, 12 Angry Men is certainly the best of them all. It’s superb in every sense, and I long for a modern film to follow its simplicity, and yet such quality in depth. If you want to see a good film, or just want to see how it should be done, put 12 Angry Men at the top of your list.
Rating: 10/10
Summary: A masterpiece in characterisation, drama and tension. Simply flawless
Memorable moment: [0:11:13] - Only one juror votes not guilty
Top 100 position: 21
IMDb: 12 Angry Men
Buy it from: Amazon
Films remaining: 89
I really like your new rating system. Especially for ESOTSS, with the classic Kirsten Dunst jumping on a bed
Nice.
Much rock dude!
Y2Neil
January 16th, 2005