12 Angry Men
A jury's deliberation challenges morals and values.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
In 1957, Sidney Lumet made his feature film directorial debut with *12 Angry Men*, a legal drama adapted by Reginald Rose from his own 1954 teleplay. The movie critiques the American jury system as it existed during the McCarthy era. It follows twelve male jurors as they debate whether to convict or acquit a teenager accused of murder, hinging their decision on the concept of reasonable doubt. Their disagreements and clashes force each man to reexamine his own morals and values. The ensemble cast includes Henry Fonda, who also co-produced with Rose, alongside Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E. G. Marshall, and Jack Warden.
An independent production released by United Artists, *12 Angry Men* earned critical praise but only a lukewarm response at the box office. It received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the 30th ceremony. Many consider it one of the greatest films ever made. In 2007, the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, citing its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. The American Film Institute also ranked it as the second-best courtroom drama ever on their AFI's 10 Top 10 list, behind only 1962's *To Kill a Mockingbird*.
**Plot**
On a sweltering summer day at the New York County Courthouse, the trial of an 18-year-old boy—described as a "slum kid"—accused of killing his abusive father has just ended. The judge instructs the jury that if they find reasonable doubt, they must return a "not guilty" verdict. A unanimous guilty vote would mean a mandatory death sentence by electric chair.
Initially, the case appears straightforward. A neighbor living across the street testifies that she saw the boy stab his father while lying in bed, looking out her window through the windows of a passing elevated train into the apartment where the murder occurred. A disabled neighbor from downstairs claims he heard the boy threaten to kill his father, then heard the body hit the floor. He says he opened his door and saw the boy running down the stairs. The defendant had recently bought a switchblade—the same type found at the scene, wiped clean of fingerprints—but claimed he lost it.
In a preliminary vote, every juror votes "guilty" except Juror 8, who insists on discussion before reaching a verdict. His early arguments, including proving that the supposedly u
- Release Year
- 1957
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Screenwriter
- Reginald Rose
- Genre
- Legal drama
- Distributor
- United Artists
- Budget
- $340,000
- Academy Award Nominations
- Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay
Lore & Background
The film was an independent production distributed by United Artists. It received acclaim from critics, despite a lukewarm box-office performance. At the 30th Academy Awards, it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. In 2007, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically or aesthetically significant'. Additionally, it was selected as the second-best courtroom drama ever (after 1962's To Kill a Mockingbird) by the American Film Institute for their AFI's 10 Top 10 list.
Reader's Guide
12 Angry Men is regarded by many as one of the greatest films ever made. Its significance lies in its critique of the American jury system during the McCarthy era, exploring themes of reasonable doubt, prejudice, and moral responsibility. Professor of Law Emeritus at UCLA School of Law Michael Asimow referred to the film as a 'tribute to a common man holding out against lynch mob mentality'. Business academic Phil Rosenzweig noted that the jury being made up entirely of white men was 'especially important', as fault lines by age, education, national origin, socioeconomic level, values, and temperament emerge during deliberation. The film's legacy includes its preservation in the National Film Registry and its ranking by the American Film Institute.
Did You Know?
- The film was adapted by Reginald Rose from his 1954 teleplay, which was inspired by a jury summons he received.
- Henry Fonda formed Orion Productions under a three-year deal with United Artists in February 1955 and partnered with Rose to produce the film.
- The film was shot in New York and completed after a short but rigorous schedule.
- At the 30th Academy Awards, it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
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