Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Cast :George Scott,  James Stewart

Anatomy of a Murder is a court room drama film directed and produced by  Otto Preminger. Paul Biegler( played by James Steward) is a District Attorney in Michigen, he looses his bit in re-election and spends most of his time with his alcoholic friend Parnell Mccarthy( played by Aurthur O'Connell) fishing and Playing the Piano.
One day Mrs Manion calls Beigler and asks him to defend her husband against a murder case, Paul is both surprised about the case , he meets Mrs Manion the next day and asks about the case. Mrs Manion has been raped by Barney Quill and when Lt. Fedrick Manion finds about it he decides to kill him for revenge,  its a plain murder case and  Fredrick himself surrenders in the police station after killing barney, Paul is not very confident as there is not much to work with in favor of Mrs Manion.

He then meets Lt. Manion in the prison and asks about the incidents in the night of the murder, the one lead Paul has is that Manion doesn't remember killing Barney, it was as if it was is sub conscious which did the act of murder. The rest of the film is how Paul fights against the prosecution lawyers Caulde dancer( played by George Scott) and his team .

The entire film is shot in the court room with minor outdoor shots. The case as such is very tough for Beigler, be is left with only one  strong point " irresistible impulse" a plea of temporary insanity. The prosecution is very confident against Lt.Manion, as it is a clear case of murder.

Paul is a small time attorney who has very less experience in a murder case, but the way he breaks down the murder case systematically and proves the case at the end.  " anatomy of a murder " is not only rememberered as one of the great court room films, it is also referred by many law students in universities as a study material.

The film has the usual dose of suspense and last minute twists. One of the main ones is Simon pilat, daughter of Barney Quill ,but rumoured by  everyone as his mistress. Paul uses Pilat as a Gambit at the end. Pilat tells the jury that Barney has raped Mrs Manion and she has proof of it. When Dancer tries to cross examination Pilaf she finally tells that Barney was her father, turning the case against him.

Some very cleaver court room tricks has been used in the film, using an inadmissable evidence  in a courtroom. In some point in the film the Lt. Manion asks Beigler " how do u make something inadmissable when the jury has already heard it". Beigler says " you can't"

Verdict:

The film was released in 1959, I think the story of the film is very well ahead of its time. It's murder case in which the suspect agrees his Crime but gives a insanity plea ( that too temporary one).  An almost impossible case to win at the end. It's one of the best court room films ever to come. True to its name " Anatomy of Murder" is more than just a drama , it analyses every aspect of the murder to get the breakthrough at the end.