Movie Review: Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) co-written and directed by Billy Wilder from the stage play by Agatha Christie

Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is accused of murdering an older woman. A lot of circumstantial evidence makes him look guilty but he protests his innocence. Lucky for him barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) is just back from a serious illness. Sir Wilfrid is constantly pestered by nurse Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester), who tries to stop him from having cigars and alcohol. Most especially, she needs to keep him away from stress, like arguing in court. Sir Wilfrid is not interested in sitting around being pricked and prodded and swallowing pills on a regular schedule. So he takes Vole's case, which looks especially bad when they find out that Leonard will inherit a large sum from the older woman. Leonard's main hope is his alibi--his wife Christine (Marlene Dietrich) who will say he came home early, before the time of death. Leonard's main problem is when his wife shows up in court as a witness for the prosecution to testify that he did commit the crime!

The story is sensational and has plenty of twists. The mystery is intriguing and Sir Wilfrid's efforts are impressive. He is a master of the law and good at sussing out people. He feels there's something fishy about Christine but he can't put his finger on what it is. She is very careful about how she presents herself and defeats one of Wilfrid's little character tests. Their sparing is quite good, especially in court. Wilfrid's sparring with Miss Plimsoll provides enjoyable comic relief. The ending is a personal favorite of mine, so very satisfying on many levels.

Wilder does a good job turning the stage play into a movie. He breaks out of the courtroom and barrister's offices with a lot of background story for the Voles (Leonard met Christine in a German cabaret where she was performing during the war; they had a whirlwind romance and he brought to England as his wife) and visits to prison and the murder scene. Wilder has a great style and communicates a lot through images even in a talk-centric story like this. 

Highly recommended--among the best court room dramas in cinematic history.