Released in 1957 this classic story of justice, dignity and the fight for what is right unbelievably won no oscars at that year’s ceremony. It is now considered one of the greatest films ever made and sits comfortably in my all time top 10.
There are no special effects, no grand sets and no over the top set pieces. Instead the script and the acting dominate in the story of 12 male jurors locked in a claustrophobic room deciding on the fate of a latino youth charged with the murder of his father.
At first, it seems a forgone conclusion as they have numerous eye witness testimony damning him and even have the murder weapon. They decide to have an initial vote and to the dismay of some of the jurors who just want to get home, the result is 11-1.
One lone man stands against the inevitability of the boys guilt and that is Mr Davis, played in a career best performance by the wonderfully understated Henry Fonda. In fact, Davis thinks that the youth is probably guilty but believes that when weighing up a persons life they should at least go through the evidence before making such a important and serious decision.
It is the examination of the evidence and what happened in court that slowly changes the dynamic between the men as the case does not seem as clear cut as they first believed.
As the tide slowly turns and the voting ratio gradually changes the men’s characters are revealed to us in their quiet dignity and decency, but also in their prejudice, selfishness and need to punish somebody to heal a wound in their own lives.
The camera takes its time with amazing close-ups and the Director Sidney Lumet gives the actors space to express all their emotions and convictions. The effect is that you forget you are watching a movie and believe that you are in the room with them as the action unfolds.
The best thing about this movie though, is that it makes you want to be the lone juror. Steadfast, honest and the belief in doing the right thing even in the face of huge odds are admirable human qualities that we would all like to have.
12 Angry men shines a light on what it means to be human, for good and bad. If you have never watched it, seek it out and add it to your favourite list of movies.