Witness for the Prosecution

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Witness for the Prosecution

1957

1h 54m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.

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Critics Consensus

Witness for the Prosecution combines a fascinating character study with a brilliantly unpredictable plot to produce a practically flawless Agatha Christie adaptation.

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Clayton Dillard

Slant Magazine

Feb 13, 2024

The film is an alchemic triumph of effortless story execution, pinpoint humor, and acting masterclass.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Aug 25, 2022

[A] witty and gripping adaptation of her [Agatha Christie's] twist-heavy courtroom stage drama.

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Noel Murray

The Dissolve

Jul 22, 2014

4.5/5

Witness For The Prosecution has the pace and patience of live theater, but not the look. Wilder doesn't get overly flashy with camera moves and angles, but he does shift positioning subtly and effectively.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

May 12, 2026

4/4

The film remains a biting look at courtroom justice and among the most rewatchable legal dramas ever made, owing to the superb execution by its star director and ensemble of skilled performers.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Sep 25, 2024

3.5/4

Laughton cantankerously carries every scene...

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Aug 4, 2024

4.5/5

Witness for the Prosecution is a film worthy of all its accolades.

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T G.

@jetzone May 27, 2026

Fantastic movie. Every performance is top notch. I've watched it three times in the past 10 years. Laughton and Lanchester are hilarious together.

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The Wandering D

@RT87120553 Feb 24, 2026

(Episode 5 of the IMDb top 100) This film is absolutely brilliant. Such incredible acting, writing, and cinematography. Just a brilliant film through and through!

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Steve Y

@Cubby65 Jan 20, 2026

An excellent courtroom drama, with an end-of-film twist I didn't see coming, though a bit too melodramatic towards the end for me. Charles Laughton is worth the price of admission here, as a cantankerous senior defense lawyer.

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Lauren M.

@LaurenPA Dec 1, 2025

Among the greatest recommend for everyone

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Stephen M

@RT88161576 Nov 29, 2025

Charles Laughton excels as the estimable SIr Wilfrid, as does Marlene Dietrich, in this 50s classic. Don't miss it.

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Fifty T

@RT01421419 Nov 19, 2025

A Classic That Still Packs a Punch, Even If You See the Twists Coming: Billy Wilder’s Witness for the Prosecution is a masterclass in suspense, wit, and acting. Even after all these years, the film’s tension and craftsmanship hold up remarkably well. Charles Laughton is a force of nature as Sir Wilfrid Robarts, chewing scenery with relish, while Marlene Dietrich’s icy, enigmatic Christine Vole steals every scene she’s in. The non-linear storytelling and Wilder’s razor-sharp direction keep you on the edge of your seat, even if the twists, once groundbreaking, now feel familiar after decades of imitators. The black-and-white cinematography and period details are immaculate, and the courtroom scenes crackle with energy. My only quibble? The twists, while brilliantly executed, have been copied so often that their impact is slightly dulled for first-time viewers today. Still, the acting and direction are top-notch, and the emotional payoff lands beautifully. 7/10: a must-watch for fans of classic cinema, even if it’s not quite the revelation it once was.

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Billy Wilder

Director

Tyrone Power

Leonard Stephen Vole

Marlene Dietrich

Christine Helm Vole

Charles Laughton

Sir Wilfrid Robarts

Elsa Lanchester

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Synopsis

The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenwriter: Agatha Christie, Lawrence B. Marcus, Billy Wilder, Harry Kurnitz
Distributor: United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 1.66:1

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