Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Release date: 1959-01-01
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Otto Preminger
Production Co: Otto Preminger Films
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Crime, Mystery
Rating: 8.0/10
Length: 2h 41min

Storyline

Frederick Manion (Ben Gazzara), a lieutenant in the army, is arrested for the murder of a bartender, Barney Quill. He claims, in his defense, that the victim had raped and beaten up his wife Laura (Lee Remick). Although Laura supports her husband's story, the police surgeon can find no evidence that she has been raped. Manion is defended by Paul Biegler (James Stewart), a humble small-town lawyer and recently deposed district attorney. During the course of interviews, Biegler discovers that Manion is violently possessive and jealous, and also that his wife has a reputation for flirting with other men. Biegler realizes that the prosecution will try to make the court believe that Laura had been drunk and was picked up by the bartender and then Her husband killed him and beat her up when he discovered they had been together. Manion pleads "not guilty" and Biegler, who knows that his case is weak, tries to find evidence that will save Manion.

Plot Keywords

murder trial, rape victim, rosary, catholicism, underwear, u.s. military, law, cigar smoking, canadian, 1950s, afi, justice, controversy, irish american, jazz music, hard boiled egg, freight train, wanted poster, convertible, driving at night

Short Review

The film is lengthy, with an ending that is both enigmatic and ironic, but presented with such finesse and pace that it is guaranteed to hold your interest from start to finish.