Anatomy of a Murder

A riveting courtroom drama of rape and premeditated murder is brought to life with an all-star castin the suspenseful and highly-acclaimed ANATOMY OF A MURDER. Nominated for seven Academy Awards(r) including Best Picture (1959). The film pits a humble small-town lawyer (James Stewart) against a hard-headed big city prosecutor (George C. Scott). Emotions flare as a jealous army lieutenant (Ben Gazzara) pleads innocent to murdering the rapist of his seductive, beautiful wife (Lee Remick). Producedand directed by the renowned Otto Preminger, the film features a brilliant score by Duke Ellington.Packed with drama, passion and intrigue, ANATOMY OF A MURDER is a cinematic masterpiece that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Otto Preminger turned this 1959 courtroom drama, based on the popular novel, into terrific adult drama. James Stewart stars as a small-town lawyer who defends an army officer (Ben Gazzara) accused of murdering a bartender who assaulted his wife (Lee Remick). The taut script, large performance by Stewart, and then-daring elements of the story (words like "panties" are spoken in the context of discussing a sex crime) give the action a certain immediacy--which you don't find very often in today's movies about jurisprudence. Nice work by Remick and Gazzara, as well as George C. Scott, Arthur O'Connell, and real-life judge Joseph N. Welch, who plays the judge in this film. A very good experience all around. --Tom Keogh