Witness for the Prosecution

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Witness for the Prosecution

Released Dec 21, 1957

1h 54m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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100%

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41 Reviews

95%

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5,000+ Ratings

The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.

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Critics Consensus

Witness for the Prosecution combines a fascinating character study with a brilliantly unpredictable plot to produce a practically flawless Agatha Christie adaptation.

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Clayton Dillard

Slant Magazine

The film is an alchemic triumph of effortless story execution, pinpoint humor, and acting masterclass.

Feb 13, 2024

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

[A] witty and gripping adaptation of her [Agatha Christie's] twist-heavy courtroom stage drama.

Aug 25, 2022

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Noel Murray

The Dissolve

Witness For The Prosecution has the pace and patience of live theater, but not the look. Wilder doesn't get overly flashy with camera moves and angles, but he does shift positioning subtly and effectively.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 22, 2014

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Laughton cantankerously carries every scene...

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 25, 2024

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Witness for the Prosecution is a film worthy of all its accolades.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 4, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Along with 1945’s And Then There Were None, this is the greatest of all the Agatha Christie adaptations that have been brought to the screen.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 10, 2024

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Kyle M

May seem like your ordinary courtroom drama except it’s not when remains truly one of cinema’s best case of unpredictability as the accumulating impact generally surprises, attributing to performative heft’s captivating showcases in differential degrees of satisfaction, solely by stellar execution and noted exhaustion. With little compelled exposure, this is certainly an adapted testament to Agatha Christie’s engaging literature that distinctively sweeps. (A-)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

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Josh W

I sat through this film thinking it seemed like a pretty ordinary but fun murder mystery, wondering why it was ranked 64th greatest movie of all time. Don't worry. By the time the ending credits roll, you will know why this film stands out as one of the greatest films of all time. Charles Laughton -I'd heard the name before- now I can put an acting performance to the name- is great. And Marlene Dietrich adds an iconic performance you will never forget. She was the inspiration for Blazing Saddles's Lili Von Shtüpp.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Isaiah Y

Classic Billy Wilder film with great performances from Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

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Esther D

Muy buena! Buenos diálogos, buen concepto, buenas actuaciones, y el plot twist más plot twist que he visto en años! Me encantó.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

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William B

What a beautiful classic movie. Recommended to anyone who loves good cinema.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 54 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

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Billy Wilder

Director

Tyrone Power

Leonard Stephen Vole

Marlene Dietrich

Christine Helm Vole

Charles Laughton

Sir Wilfrid Robarts

Elsa Lanchester

Miss Plimsoll

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Synopsis

The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenwriter: Agatha Christie, Lawrence B. Marcus, Billy Wilder, Harry Kurnitz
Distributor: United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 1.66:1

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