Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Calificación de los usuarios:

8.3/10   

Director:

Billy Wilder

Escritores:

Agatha Christie (play)
Larry Marcus (adaptation)

Fecha de Lanzamiento:

6 febrero 1958 (USA)

Género:

Crimen | Drama | Misterio | Suspenso

Frase comercial:

Once in 50 years suspense like this!

Plot:

Agatha Christie tale of a man on trial for murder: a trial featuring surprise after surprise.

Plot Keywords:

Widow | Murder | Alibi | Trial | Letter

Premios:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Comentarios de los usuarios:

What a movie!

Reparto

Tyrone Power	...	Leonard Vole
Marlene Dietrich	...	Christine Vole
Charles Laughton	...	Sir Wilfrid Robarts
Elsa Lanchester	...	Miss Plimsoll
John Williams	...	Brogan-Moore
Henry Daniell	...	Mayhew
Ian Wolfe	...	Carter
Torin Thatcher	...	Mr. Myers
Norma Varden	...	Emily Jane French
Una O'Connor	...	Janet McKenzie
Francis Compton	...	Judge
Philip Tonge	...	Inspector Hearne
Ruta Lee	...	Diana

También conocida como:

Testigo de cargo (Argentina) (Spain) [es]

Duración:

116 min | Australia:111 min

País:

USA

Idioma:

Inglés

Color:

Negro y Blanco

Relación de Aspecto:

1.66 : 1

Sonido:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Clasificación:

West Germany:12 | Spain:T | Argentina:16 | Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #18704) | UK:U

Locaciones de Filmación:

MGM Studios - 10202 W. Washington Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Compañía:

Edward Small Productions

Trivialidades:

William Holden was the first choice for Leonard, but he was unavailable. Billy Wilder and the producer Arthur Hornblow Jr. then went to Tyrone Power, who turned down the part. Other actors considered for the role included Gene Kelly, Kirk Douglas, Glenn Ford, Jack Lemmon, and even Roger Moore. Eventually, Tyrone Power accepted the role when he was offered both Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and Solomon and Sheba (1959) for $300,000 each. Before he could complete Solomon however, Power had a fatal heart attack and was replaced by Yul Brynner. Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth were also considered for the role of Christine Helm.

Errores:

Errores que Revelan: When Vole, in his cell, starts relating the story of how he and Christine met, the scene dissolves into a flashback while Vole is speaking. But as it begins to dissolve, Vole, still clearly visible, has stopped talking even as his voice-over continues its narration.

Citas:

Sir Wilfrid: [getting progressively more agitated] The question is whether you were lying then or are you lying now... or whether in fact you are a chronic and habitual LIAR!

Conexiones de Película:

Spoofed in "Get Smart: Witness for the Execution (#5.19)" (1970)

Banda de Sonido:

I May Never Go Home Anymore

What a movie!

A film I have not seen for years but will always remember with fondness. A classic thriller with all the right ingredients - Power and Dietrich are spectacular, and, by early standards (and recent ones!), the twist is excellent.

Charles Laughton however, provides us with a glib chuckle as the aging defense attorney ruled by his overlord maid. A distraction that only adds to an excellent plot line.

I can't imagine another film of the genre and the era, that so wickedly entangles the essential thriller with a 'crime of passion' (oops, spot the plot killer...) gem. A classic.

A film for true movie lovers. Take it from me!