Films in the Courtroom or the Courtroom in Film!

Several outstanding films that closely examine the judicial process and how decisions are played out in the courtroom.

(Pictured -- Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution)

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- amazing jazz soundtrack and wonderful performances by James Stewart, Eve Arden, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, and Arthur O'Connell. Temporary insanity... or not?

A Few Good Men (1992) -- Military lawyer defends Marines accused of murder -- features an outstanding Jack Nicholson

Inherit the Wind (1960) -- stars Spencer Tracy and Fredric March -- based on a real-life case in 1925 -- teacher brought to trial for teaching evolution

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)-- another outstanding performance from Spencer Tracy -- an American court in Germany tries Nazi judges

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) -- a bitter divorce and custody battle result in a devastating courtroom scene beautifully played by Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman

My Cousin Vinny (1992) -- hilarious courtroom scenes --with a wonderful Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, and Fred Gwynne

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) -- based on the novel by Harper Lee -- Gregory Peck inhabits the character of Atticus Finch, a lawyer set to defend a black man against charges of rape amidst racial prejudice in the Depression-era South

Twelve Angry Men (1957) -- Henry Fonda stars as a juror that tries to convince the others that the case is not simple --directed by Sidney Lumet -- beautifully crafted and acted

The Verdict (1982) - stars Paul Newman as a lawyer trying to salvage his career

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) -- an Agatha Christie knockout -- with a fantastic Charles Laughton

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) -- from director John Ford and starring Henry Fonda -- fictionalized account of the young Lincoln's legal career and his work in a dramatic court case